Shanto’s Captain’s Knock Against Sri Lanka Earns Acclaim from Mushfiqur
Bangladesh v Sri Lanka Scorecard
Following Sri Lanka’s decision to bowl first, Shanto’s Bangladesh team demonstrated their prowess on the field, taking wickets consistently and dismissing the visitors for 255 in the 49th over. Shanto then took the reins in the second innings.
Shanto stepped up after the Tigers lost Litton Das (0) on the first ball. Despite the early losses of Soumya Sarkar (3) and Towhid Hridoy (3), Shanto maintained his composure and formed crucial partnerships with Mahmudullah (37) and Mushfiqur (73*). His 165-run partnership with Mushfiqur helped Bangladesh secure the match in the 45th over.
Shanto’s unbeaten 122, which included 13 fours and two sixes, earned him the Player of the Match award.
Najmul Hossain Shanto, the Bangladesh batter, is living up to the potential he showed in age-group cricket during the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.
Post-match, senior team-mate Mushfiqur heaped praise on the 25-year-old.
“Shanto was outstanding. It was a one-man show tonight. Leadership often brings out the best in individuals, and Shanto is no exception. He thrives on captaincy. Shanto is the kind of player who views responsibility as a challenge. I always knew he would excel at the highest level,” said Mushfiqur.
After a temporary stint as captain, Shanto was appointed as Bangladesh’s full-time skipper across all formats in February 2024.
Mushfiqur also expressed his belief that the team’s dressing room atmosphere was conducive to success.
“The atmosphere is crucial. We don’t fixate on the outcome. We focus on maintaining our processes. We don’t expect all seven batters to score centuries every day, but as long as each player sticks to their strengths and practice routines, success is inevitable,” he added.
Watch the batting highlights as Najmul Hossain Shanto scored a half-century for Bangladesh against Sri Lanka at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.
Mushfiqur, the wicketkeeper-batter, believes that Shanto has improved his batting and now knows how to capitalise on good starts.
“Shanto plays with more fluidity now. He’s become more dominant. He used to score 50s or 60s after a good start, but now he’s playing longer innings,” Mushfiqur noted.
“The way he took a single to mid on just after reaching his century showed his calmness and team-first mentality. We kept reminding each other to aim for the next 20 or 30 runs to prevent the opposition from gaining momentum at crucial moments.”
The second and third matches of the series will take place in Chattogram on March 15 and 18, respectively.