'It's affecting us': Bangladesh Test captain Najmul Hossain Shanto reacts strongly to BCB's 'Indian agent' jibe at Tamim Iqbal

Bangladesh Test captain Najmul Hossain Shanto has admitted that the uncertainty over his team’s participation in next month’s T20 World Cup in India is taking a psychological toll on the players, even as they try to behave as if “everything is ok”. Shanto also criticised Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) director M Najmul Islam for branding former captain Tamim Iqbal an “Indian agent” after Tamim called for a calm and pragmatic resolution to the ongoing standoff.




Bangladesh’s World Cup campaign has been overshadowed by controversy after the BCB approached the ICC seeking a change of venue for the team’s matches, citing security concerns in India.




“First of all, if you look at our World Cup results, we've never really played consistently good cricket. Last year, we did play well, but there were even better opportunities, and we couldn't capitalise on them.


“But you'll see that something always happens before every World Cup. I can say this from my experience of three World Cups - it does have an effect,” Shanto told reporters on Friday.


“Now, we act as if nothing affects us, that we are fully professional cricketers. You guys also understand that we are acting - it's not easy,” he added.


Shanto said the players are doing their best to block out the distractions and focus on performances.


“Of course, it would be better if these things didn't happen, but this is partly beyond our control,” he said.


The T20 World Cup begins on February 7, with Bangladesh slated to play four matches in India — three in Kolkata and one in Mumbai.


The BCB has demanded that the fixtures be shifted to Sri Lanka following the release of pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL on the BCCI’s instructions, with the Indian board citing unspecified “developments all around”.


“I don't know the details of how it happened, or how it could have been controlled. Still, I'd say that even acting in such circumstances (is difficult),” Shanto said.


“With the right mindset if we go to the World Cup and play anywhere, we should focus on how to do our best for the team,” he added.


Shanto also expressed strong disappointment over BCB director M Najmul Islam’s remarks about Tamim Iqbal.


“Very sad, very sad because such comments were made about a cricketer - a former captain, and in my opinion one of Bangladesh's most successful cricketers whom we grew up watching,” Shanto said.


“As players, we expect respect - whether someone is a former captain, a regular player, successful or not. At the end of the day, a cricketer hopes for respect,” he added.


Calling the BCB “supposed to be our guardian”, Shanto said the comment was unacceptable.


“Parents should correct you at home, not in front of everyone. So such a comment from someone who is supposed to be our guardian is very difficult to accept. I completely reject it as a player,” he concluded.


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