Agency :
Despite Zimbabwe being considered a comparatively weaker side than Bangladesh based on recent form and team strength, Najmul Hossain Shanto refuses to take the opposition lightly. For the Bangladesh Captain, every opponent is equally important.
Speaking to reporters during a break at Abahani Limited’s practice session at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in the capital’s Mirpur on Friday, the left-handed opener said, “No team is small; I keep repeating this.
The players aren’t thinking that way either. I hope the general public and the media also don’t view teams as ‘big’ or ‘small’. Whether it’s Zimbabwe, Australia, or South Africa, we should approach every match as an international fixture.”
Bangladesh are set to face Zimbabwe in a two-match Test series starting April 20 at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.
“Every international series brings its own challenges, and this one will be no different. Our mindset and pressure will be the same as it would be against any big team. The key is how well we can prepare and start the series.”
Despite respecting Zimbabwe, Shanto also made it clear that Bangladesh’s focus is on winning and improving further in Test cricket.
“If you look at our Test performance last year, there has been improvement. We won three matches, if I remember correctly.
This year we have six more Tests ahead, and it’s crucial that we achieve better results than last year. Only then will our Test cricket continue to progress,” he added.
