Barishal: Fortune Barishal Skipper Tamim Iqbal explained that Najmul Hossain Shanto was excluded from the playing XI for the last six matches not because of his performance but due to team combination strategy. Shanto, who has the role of captain for the national team, played in only five of Barishal’s 11 Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) matches, scoring a total of 56 runs. His notable performance was a 41-run innings against Rangpur Riders, while he fell for single-digit scores in the other four matches.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Tamim expressed his regret over Shanto’s limited playtime, citing the challenges in finalizing the team combination during the initial matches of the tournament. He emphasized that Shanto’s exclusion was not performance-related, especially highlighting his strong innings against Rangpur. Tamim reiterated that Shanto’s absence from the lineup was strictly a result of team strategy.
In the lead-up to the Champions Trophy, the BPL serves as a crucial preparation platform for Bangladesh players. Shanto was utilized as a wicketkeeper in two of the five matches he played. Tamim noted that managing a big-budget team with many viable options for each position presents its own challenges in finalizing the lineup.
Tamim also discussed the difficulty in determining the ideal batting position for Shanto, considering the team’s left-handed and right-handed combinations. He acknowledged Shanto’s commendable attitude and willingness to take his exclusion in stride, despite being one of the top batters in the country.
Barishal has recently opted to open with Towhid Hridoy alongside Tamim. While Hridoy has not delivered a major innings, he has contributed impactful performances. Tamim, along with Dawid Malan at No.3, has been consistently scoring, making it challenging to fit Shanto into the top order. Tamim praised Shanto’s commitment, noting his active participation in practice sessions and positive interaction with teammates.
Having secured a spot in the playoffs and the first qualifier, Tamim faces a decision on whether to test bench strength in the upcoming match. He mentioned that any changes would depend on the team’s condition and potential injury concerns, as they aim to maintain their successful combination.
Barishal has bolstered its squad by adding New Zealand pacer Adam Milne and expects South African star David Miller and Kyle Myers to join for upcoming matches. However, Tamim emphasized a preference for maintaining the current team structure, which has been performing well. He concluded by stating that only minor adjustments would be made to address specific areas needing improvement.