Bangladesh’s Najmul Hossain Shanto ended his 13-inning drought with a half-century and a commanding century in the recent ODI series against New Zealand. Shanto, in an exclusive interview with Abdullah Al Mehdi of The Daily Star, discussed his breakthrough innings, technical adjustments, and the team’s performance.
Reflecting on the New Zealand ODIs, Shanto highlighted the team’s positive performance and his own crucial contributions after a period of low scores. He credited his improved form to months of focused work on his batting technique with coach Sohel Islam.
Addressing his lean phase, Shanto emphasized the importance of maintaining a positive mindset despite the lack of runs. He mentioned that stepping down from the captaincy had no bearing on his batting performance as long as he continues to score runs.
Shanto also shared insights from his sessions with Tamim Iqbal, explaining how he sought advice on specific shots to enhance his game. Despite facing challenges like cramps in the series, he acknowledged the benefits of the team’s fitness camp in preparing him for the demanding conditions.
During the series, Shanto showcased a positive approach, focusing on scoring runs and executing his shots effectively. He discussed his strategy of capitalizing on scoring opportunities and adjusting to the challenging conditions in Chattogram.
In terms of his batting position, Shanto expressed a preference for batting at number three but emphasized his readiness to adapt to any role assigned by the team management. He praised the pace bowlers for their outstanding performances and acknowledged their vital role in the series victory.