BANGLADESH TOUR OF SRI LANKA, 2025
Shanto talking to Bangladesh’s physio © BCB
Bangladesh top order batter Najmul Hossain Shanto is not certain to play in the series decider of the ongoing ODI series against Sri Lanka, owing to a quad injury that he suffered in the previous match.
Members of the team management are keeping their fingers crossed regarding the availability of the former ODI captain, who had failed to complete his fielding duties in the second ODI owing to the injury. Shanto is under close watch, and insiders insisted that the southpaw is quite eager to take part in the last game of the series.
“We can only say something about him after the practice session [Shanto] because it is important to see how he reacts in the net and elsewhere in the training session ahead of the game,” a source aware of the development told Cricbuzz on Monday.
It is understood that top-order batter Naim Sheikh, who made a return to the national set-up after two years, is expected to replace Shanto if he eventually fails to make the cut in the Playing XI.
Shanto, who batted in the net, did not look totally comfortable while running in training and spoke with physio Bayzidul Islam to check his left leg as he was feeling some discomfort.
With the series level, Bangladesh have a chance to win their first ODI series in Sri Lanka in Pallekele with opener Parvez Hossain Emon admitting, it was a glorious opportunity to do so. “This is a big chance for us. If we win the match tomorrow, it will be a great series win. Everyone is feeling confident. After the win in the last match, the confidence has been building among us, so we will try our best to win tomorrow,” said Emon.
“We have to be consistent. If we score runs early and consistently, it will be easier for the team to do well,” he said adding that they are not taking any extra pressure.
Emon, who scored 67 runs in the last game, was left disappointed as he failed to translate his half-century into a 100 but added that if he gets a start he would like to make the most out of it in the series decider.
“I didn’t bat long in the last match. I was feeling guilty after getting out because I was set and the wicket was beautiful. I could have scored a hundred that day, and I felt bad about it,” said.
“I try to assess the situation and play accordingly, and I try to play my natural game. I don’t have any set target. I spoke to the guys who have played here earlier, and everyone is saying this wicket will be good for batting. I will try to play a big innings if I get a start.”
Meanwhile, Sri Lankan batting coach Thilina Kandamby echoed the same sentiment as he is expecting a batting friendly wicket in the series decider.
“Pallekele looks good for batting. I think there will be a good bounce as well. If you analyze the last few games at Pallekele, we have had batting-friendly tracks,” he said.
“If you take the last game, the middle order-Charith and Kamindu-got into a shell. You have to admit that the three spinners bowled well. We have discussed the options we could take to come out of tricky situations like that. During training, we intend to work on those areas,” adding that they are not worried about the result rather concentrating on the process.
“We are not putting pressure on ourselves by thinking about the series. We are focusing on the process.”
© Cricbuzz
