Bangladesh's cricket team is under pressure as the T20 World Cup approaches in India, with off-field tensions between Hindu-majority India and Muslim-majority Bangladesh simmering just below the surface. Test captain Najmul Hossain Shanto acknowledged that these controversies often affect the team, despite efforts to mask their impact.
Shanto expressed his frustration over Bangladesh's lack of success in major tournaments, citing a missed opportunity at the 2024 T20 World Cup. He believes that the constant media attention and pressure surrounding these events can be detrimental to players' performances, stating, "It affects us... it is not easy."
Despite tensions between India and Bangladesh escalating recently, with protests near Bangladesh's High Commission in New Delhi over a factory worker being beaten and set on fire in Bangladesh, Shanto has urged his teammates to focus on the game. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has warned Bangladesh that playing in India for the World Cup could result in forfeiting matches if they do not comply.
However, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has denied claims of an ultimatum from the ICC, stating that it aims to work towards a mutually acceptable solution. Shanto believes that players must maintain their composure and perform well despite these external pressures.
With Bangladesh scheduled to play three World Cup matches in Kolkata next month, the team is bracing for the challenges ahead. The T20 World Cup takes place from February 7 to March 8, with India co-hosting the event alongside Sri Lanka. The stakes are high, both on and off the field, as Bangladesh looks to make a mark in the tournament despite its poor previous performances.
Shanto expressed his frustration over Bangladesh's lack of success in major tournaments, citing a missed opportunity at the 2024 T20 World Cup. He believes that the constant media attention and pressure surrounding these events can be detrimental to players' performances, stating, "It affects us... it is not easy."
Despite tensions between India and Bangladesh escalating recently, with protests near Bangladesh's High Commission in New Delhi over a factory worker being beaten and set on fire in Bangladesh, Shanto has urged his teammates to focus on the game. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has warned Bangladesh that playing in India for the World Cup could result in forfeiting matches if they do not comply.
However, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has denied claims of an ultimatum from the ICC, stating that it aims to work towards a mutually acceptable solution. Shanto believes that players must maintain their composure and perform well despite these external pressures.
With Bangladesh scheduled to play three World Cup matches in Kolkata next month, the team is bracing for the challenges ahead. The T20 World Cup takes place from February 7 to March 8, with India co-hosting the event alongside Sri Lanka. The stakes are high, both on and off the field, as Bangladesh looks to make a mark in the tournament despite its poor previous performances.
? All these tensions between India & Bangladesh are getting super distracting 
. I feel for Najmul Hossain Shanto, he's gotta deal with all this drama behind the scenes 
. Missing out on that 2024 T20 World Cup was a major bummer 
. Focus on the game, players! 
It's not easy, I get it 
, but they need to keep their cool under pressure 
. Will Bangladesh be able to put all these issues aside and shine on the field? 
Fingers crossed for them 
!
. According to ESPN's stats, Bangladesh has lost 4 out of their last 5 T20 World Cup matches 
. And let's not forget, they missed that crucial opportunity at the 2024 T20 World Cup... it's a tough pill to swallow 
.
Let's hope they can change that this time around!
, but I'm sure the team will stay focused 
. Shanto is right, we need to keep our cool under pressure 
. I mean, have you seen the fan engagement stats for the 2022 T20 World Cup? 
... and now the ICC is threatening to forfeit matches? That's just too much pressure! 
. honestly, i think it's more of an opportunity for them to show the world what they're really made of. and if some player gets beat up or whatever, that's on the other guy, not on the team. shanto is just trying to avoid the elephant in the room, you know? he wants us to focus on the cricket, and who can blame him? i mean, it's not like we haven't seen this movie before... all the hype, and what happens is crickets 
i'm not sure how much more of this pressure shanto and his teammates can take... what if india starts pulling out players or something? that would be crazy 
[
. All this drama between India & Bangladesh players on field can be very distracting 
.
. They need to stay focused on their game, like Shanto said, & put aside all the other stuff that's distracting them. I mean, can you imagine playing in front of thousands of people, with the whole world watching, and then having your own country's politics getting in the way? 
It's a lot of pressure! But I'm rooting for them, they've got this! 
he's like literally trying to keep his cool under all these pressure & controversy 
and still managing to motivate his teammates 
let's hope they can do just that and make us proud in the T20 World Cup 
!