Is Shakib’s absence a concern? Shanto says, ‘Not at all’

When was the last time Shakib Al Hasan played in the national team jersey? Many might struggle to recall. Although his return to the squad is often a topic of discussion, it has been quite some time since the veteran all-rounder last played for Bangladesh.

His potential comeback has raised several questions. Following political changes and various complications, along with his bowling ban, Shakib has fallen further behind in his path back to the national team.

While playing for Surrey in county cricket, he was reported for an illegal bowling action. Despite undergoing tests in both England and India, he failed to get clearance. If Shakib were to be included in the team, it would have to be solely as a batsman. However, since he is not considered suitable as a specialist batsman alone, Bangladesh left him out of the Champions Trophy squad. This has led to a lot of speculation surrounding him. The most frequently asked question has been whether the team would miss his presence.

Now, the question arises: is the absence of the country's best all-rounder a concern for Bangladesh? Having grown weary of repeatedly answering whether the team would miss Shakib, Najmul Hossain Shanto kept his response brief. At the pre-match press conference in Dubai, ahead of Bangladesh's opening fixture in the Champions Trophy, the Bangladesh captain simply said, 'Not at all.'

The Champions Trophy commenced in Pakistan on 19 February. Although Pakistan is hosting the tournament, some matches are being held in the UAE due to India's reluctance to play in Pakistan. As a result, a hybrid model has been adopted, with Bangladesh scheduled to play one of their matches there. Tomorrow, they will take on India in their opening game. Ahead of that, Shanto spoke about various aspects of the team and their opponents.

The discussion also touched upon the futures of Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah Riyad. It is widely assumed that this Champions Trophy will be their last ICC event. When asked about it, Shanto responded, 'I don't think they are viewing it that way. They are still enjoying the game, and I hope they will make full use of their experience in this tournament.'

Prior to departing for the Champions Trophy, Shanto was also questioned about missing Shakib at an official press conference—a question that visibly irked him. The Bangladesh captain had then stated, 'Of course, we will miss Shakib Bhai. I don't understand why you are asking this question. Everyone knows the answer; many players have already said it—of course, we will miss him; it would have been great if he were here. I don't think it makes sense to keep bringing this up before a major tournament.'