Shanto urges to dismiss opener concern ahead of NZ match
Tanzid Hasan Tamim against England
|| CF CORRESPONDENT ||
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18 hrs ago![Nahid Rana [R], Litton Das [M], Rishad Hossain, Cricfrenzy](https://cricfrenzy.com/public/storage/images/2-2025/b63Kb1P37XIa8965QN348as6.jpg)
Bangladesh vice-captain Najmul Hossain Shanto pressed to lay off the openers concern ahead of their clash against New Zealand tomorrow (Friday) at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai.
“I think we shouldn’t worry about the opening anymore. We dismissed this thought. I think all the batting in the top order have come well-prepared. 1-2 good innings will bring confidence. No one is unconcern, not trying for the team. Everyone is trying. Hope to get good scores from the top order in the coming days. It is possible to do well if you bat with freedom,” Shanto, who came to the press conference before the match, said.
Bangladesh won the first match against Afghanistan by six wickets but lost their second game to defending champions England by 137 runs.
However, Bangladesh's top order continued to falter as they were reduced to 27-2 against Afghanistan but they overcame that.
It was predicted that they will return to form against England on an excellent batting pitch. That, however, did not happen. After England scored 364-9, Bangladesh collapsed to 49-4, and the match was over.
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Young Tanzid Hasan Tamim was included in the World Cup squad in place of veteran Tamim Iqbal but he has failed in both occasions (5 against Afghanistan and 1 against England) after 84 runs knock against Sri Lanka in the warm-up match.
Shanto, who faced a similar situation in his early days, backed the young opener.
“So far, he has been played 5-6 matches. Some take time, some take less time. Everyone should have faith in him. Everyone who comes here has the potential to do well. Hope to do something good in the next match,” said the top-order batter, who had a fifty against Afghanistan.
“Batting against the new ball is challenging in any situation. If 2-3 wickets fall quickly, then how we make a comeback is important. 2-3 wickets going quickly doesn’t mean to get all out with low total. But if the start is good, the team is likely to go well” he added.
However, Litton Das hit back to form, playing a 66 ball-76 knock against England, which was the only consolation for Bangladesh.
With Tanzid still new in international cricket, the Tigers will hope Shanto and Litton will carry the consistency to give them a good start.
