‘Whenever I need something, they come forward’ – Najmul Hossain Shanto relies on seasoned veterans for guidance

For a young skipper like Najmul Hossain Shanto, the guardianship of experienced players of the likes of Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah would be a boon.

Appointed on March 12 of this year after the Bangladesh Cricket Board was impressed by his leadership in the red-ball and ODI series, the 25-year-old, quoted on the BCB’s Facebook page, mentioned that the guidance of veterans such as Shakib and Mahmudullah would be especially beneficial for those cricketers in the 15-member squad who would be making their debuts in the mega-event. He emphasized the multitude of lessons their personalities offered, and shared that they’ve consistently provided advice and mentoring as and when required, and expressed hope that the imminent T20 World Cup 2024 would follow suit.

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“Having such experienced cricketers on the team is a big plus-point, especially for those playing in their first World Cup. There’s a lot to learn from them. They also have leadership experience, and they will help me during difficult times. Whenever I need something, they come forward. Hopefully, the World Cup will not be an exception,” said Shanto as quoted by the Facebook page of the BCB.

I don’t like focusing on outcomes: Shanto

Furthermore, Shanto emphasized the composed and methodical nature of his mindset, stressing the importance of setting ambitious goals for an event as significant as the T20 World Cup while adopting a systematic approach to propel the team forward, aligning with his personal ethos.

Referencing Bangladesh’s unique status as the only team to participate in every edition of the tournament without progressing beyond the league-stage, Shanto envisioned exceeding past performances and making significant strides. He cautioned against developing unrealistic expectations, suggesting that focusing on smaller details and executing them precisely would ultimately yield positive results.

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“When we go to play in a big tournament, we must go with big dreams. I don’t like focusing on outcomes. If we work on our processes, something good will come. We want to perform very well as a team and achieve what we haven’t achieved before. Thinking about expectations increases pressure, so it’s very important to follow the process. If we can focus on the small things, the results will come,”  Shanto said, adding that he’s expecting good support in the USA.

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