Shanto moves on from Australia success, refuses to use Abu Dhabi heat as excuse
Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto has urged his side to leave their Australia success behind and treat Friday’s one-off Test against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi as a fresh challenge, while insisting the hot conditions will not be used as an excuse.
Bangladesh arrive on the back of an impressive series against Australia, yet Shanto wants the focus switched entirely to Afghanistan and the conditions in Abu Dhabi.
“We played a good series against Australia. But I believe that is in the past. This is a new condition and a new opponent. So we have to plan accordingly,” he said.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Shanto acknowledged the heat but dismissed it as a factor.
"As professional players, we absolutely do not want to see it as an excuse,” he said.
Shanto has also returned to training after recovering from illness, and confirmed he has practised for the last two days.
“I am fit now and feeling good,” he said, a welcome boost ahead of the side’s first Test against Afghanistan after a long gap.
The Test is not part of the World Test Championship, but Bangladesh will field a strong side, and a few players arrived early and played a practice match to help them adapt, and Shanto believes the players are ready for the challenge.
Shanto inspected the Abu Dhabi pitch on Wednesday and was due for a second look on Thursday, expecting a surface that favours batters, though possibly a touch slow. “I am hoping it will be a very good Test match,” he said.
We played a good series against Australia. But I believe that is in the past. This is a new condition and a new opponent. So we have to plan accordingly.
Najmul Hossain Shanto, Bangladesh captain
Shanto acknowledged Bangladesh’s growth in the longest format in recent years but called for greater consistency, particularly across varied conditions and opponents.
“We need to improve our skills further and become more consistent,” he said, adding that the side have worked hard at home.
Shanto is excited to face Afghanistan in a Test after a long gap, and expects both sides to arrive determined to win, with Rahmat Shah leading the opposition.
The one-off contest begins at 12pm Bangladesh time on Friday, October 9.