Shakib's place in the team questioned after Chennai loss
Najmul's comments suggested that while Shakib's performance may be under scrutiny, the captain remains focused on the broader team effort ahead of the next Test.
Following Bangladesh's defeat in the Chennai Test at MA Chidambaram Stadium, questions have emerged about whether Shakib Al Hasan should be dropped from the playing XI.
His recent on-field performances, coupled with some off-field issues, prompted a journalist covering the series to raise the issue with captain Najmul Hossain Shanto in the post-match press conference.
The journalist's bold question took Najmul a few moments to process, after which he smiled and responded, "That's a very brave question! MashaAllah!" However, Najmul skilfully diverted attention from Shakib's off-field matters and focused on the overall commitment of the players. "As captain, I don't focus on just one player, not even Shakib bhai. What I observe is how hard the player is working and whether they are doing what's necessary to stage a comeback. What's their intention towards the team? These are the things I look for. I try to assess if the player is ready to give their all for the team and whether they are fully prepared."
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Although his remarks began with a reference to Shakib, Najmul made it clear that his evaluation applies to every player. "Some might think I'm saying this just because it's Shakib bhai, but that's not the case. Whether it's Nahid Rana or Mushfiq bhai, I look for the same things in everyone. It's not always about scoring runs or not. In my view, what matters more is how prepared they are and what their mindset is towards the team. Are they preparing properly to contribute something positive? Based on this, I'm satisfied with the 15-16 players we have in the squad."
Earlier in the day, there were also concerns raised about Shakib's eye issue and a finger injury he sustained while batting. Najmul, however, again turned the conversation towards the team's collective effort rather than focusing on individual players. "Regarding his finger, it was taped because he was hit, and there was some bleeding. That's why it was taped. I'm not comfortable discussing individual performances because this is a team sport. Winning a match requires contributions from the whole team. If we had all contributed, the outcome could have been different. So, I'm not particularly concerned about any one individual."
