Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto stated that they will compete in the Champions Trophy, which begins on February 19, with the goal of becoming champions, just like any other side in the eight-team competition.
The Tigers have been preparing behind closed doors since last Saturday and are set to depart for the UAE today. They will play a practice match on February 15 before starting their campaign with the match against India on February 20 in Dubai.
鈥榃e鈥檙e going with an aim to be the champions,鈥� Shanto told reporters during a press conference at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Wednesday when he was asked what their aim was.
The southpaw also believed that his statement wouldn鈥檛 create any pressure on his team-mates.
鈥業 don鈥檛 think there鈥檚 any added pressure. Each and every team deserves to be a champion, as they all are quality teams. I believe we have that capability as a team. No one will feel added pressure,鈥� said Shanto.
鈥楨veryone wants it from the heart and believes that they鈥檙e capable. Don鈥檛 know what Allah has written on our fates. We鈥檙e working hard, with honesty. Everyone believes that we can reach our targets,鈥� he added.
However, Shanto also mentioned that everything needs to fall into place if they want to achieve the ultimate goal. On top of the pile would be to score big in the batting-friendly pitches that are expected, especially in Pakistan, where Bangladesh will play two of their three group-stage matches.
Bangladesh managed to put up only two 300 scores in their last 25 matches and lost on both occasions.
鈥楾here will be added pressure in this type of tournament,鈥� said Shanto.
鈥業 expect that there will be 300-plus wickets in Pakistan. We have to score like that if we bat first. We will also have to chase this type of score. In Dubai, the wicket varies from time to time. But it will be around 260-280.
鈥楾he numbers are difficult to predict, but the past has been telling us this. We will analyse how many runs we need to score or defend on that particular day,鈥� he added.
Bangladesh will need to manage their lack of match practice as they鈥檙e one of the two teams participating in the marquee event without playing any ODI matches since December last year.
But Shanto remains hopeful even without adequate practice.
鈥楾here are some differences format-wise. But how the batters played, the wickets were good, and we鈥檙e probably going to play better on wickets,鈥� he said.
鈥楾he batters have prepared well; now it鈥檚 necessary to play long. If you score 50-60 runs, you need to make it 100-120. The match scenario practice is going on. We鈥檙e in good shape in terms of practice. We still have 6-7 days, but we will be able to manage it more,鈥� added the Bangladesh captain.
Shanto also said that they will have to manage the expectations that are upon them.
鈥楾here鈥檚 an expectation of the people of the country, family, and of course of the cricketers. Overall, how we prepared so far鈥� we believe that we can be in a strong position,鈥� he said.
