|| CF DESK ||

Bangladesh is set to face hosts India in the first T20I in Gwalior without Ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, who recently announced in a surprising press conference in Kanpur that his last T20I match was during the previous T20 World Cup.

With new players stepping in, Bangladesh batter Towhid Hridoy spoke at a press conference ahead of their practice session, addressing the challenge of playing without Shakib.

"There is always pressure in international cricket. If you take it to your head then you can't perform. We have to focus on following our process and how to perform and bring results in our favour. Obviously, Shakib bhai isn't here and we will miss him but everyone has to leave someday. We hope to make up for his absence and overcome it well," Hridoy said in the press conference today.

Shakib is reportedly weighing his options regarding his return to Bangladesh, having stated during the press conference that he would need assurances of safe passage after the upcoming Test series against South Africa, which he confirmed will be his last. Without such assurances, Shakib may not be able to commit to the series.

Meanwhile, the T20I squad must adjust to playing without their key all-rounder. Hridoy expressed the team's intent for tomorrow's match: "First of all, we have a great opportunity to perform well here. We want to win, nothing else."

Tomorrow’s game will be the first-ever international match at the Gwalior venue, and Bangladesh has limited knowledge of how the pitch will behave.

After two net sessions, Hridoy shared his thoughts, saying, "We have practiced two days here. Here the wicket is slow and low. We got information from ground staff here and some domestic matches were played here. It will be a slow wicket but we will try to play according to our plan."