Najmul Hossain Shanto with Tamim Iqbal (Source: @gullypoint_/x.com)
With the T20 World Cup fast approaching, teams are fine-tuning their game plans, but Bangladesh faces a worry as Najmul Hossain Shanto struggles for form. For a successful tournament, his contribution will be crucial for the side.
Aiming for a stronger bounce-back in the upcoming BPL, he had a closed-door session with veteran batter Tamim Iqbal. When asked about it, he stayed tight-lipped, keeping fans guessing about the secret strategy.
Shanto remains silent about the private session with Tamim Iqbal
Over the years, Najmul Hossain Shanto remained one of the finest batters of the Bangladesh cricket team. In the ongoing year, the longest format saw its peak, but the shortest format has been disappointing for him. He played just one T20I till now, and ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup, his presence will be crucial.
As Bangladesh gears up for the upcoming tournament, their stars are using the BPL as the perfect launchpad for preparation. Ahead of that, Shanto was seen in an intense closed-door session with Tamim Iqbal and coach Sohel Islam. When he was asked about this, he called it a “good session” but kept the crucial details under wraps.
“I had a good session today, along with Tamim Iqbal and Sohel Islam, Sir. This is a secret (what I did in the session), and I can't tell you as it is a technical matter. The day before yesterday, I was talking to the coach (Sohel), and I have been struggling with a certain issue for about a year,” he said while talking to Cricbuzz.
Tamim puts Shanto’s doubts to rest
Talent, hard work, and opportunity shape a player, but a touch of experience does a different magic. Struggling in the shortest format, Shanto found hope in veteran Tamim Iqbal, whose guidance helped clear his doubts when he was stuck. Reflecting on this, Shanto credited the veteran Bangladeshi opener for the intense session.
“I wasn't getting a proper solution. I was working on it, but wasn't getting a proper solution. So, I was looking for someone who could help me with this. I watched various interviews of big players and commentators and listened to them, but I still wasn't getting that solution. Then I realized that in our own country, there is someone who has faced this exact thing, been successful, and handled it very well, both technically and mentally,” he added.
“Then I decided I would do a session with him. Before that, I took permission from Sohel Islam, asking how it would be if I did this. He gave the green signal and said it would be very good. So then I called him today, and he came very happily and gave me a long time,” he added.
After wrapping up the limited-overs series against Ireland earlier this month, Bangladeshi stars are now set for the upcoming Bangladesh Premier League. Kicking off on December 26, the tournament promises the perfect stage to fine-tune their game ahead of the T20 World Cup.
