Tamim reveals Shanto benched in Fortune Barishal's games due to 'team combination'

Despite being Bangladesh's national captain in both Test and ODI formats, Najmul Hossain Shanto has struggled to secure a place in Fortune Barishal's playing XI in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).

Barishal captain Tamim Iqbal has cited team combination as the primary reason for Shanto's omission.

Barishal, currently top of the BPL table with nine wins in 11 matches, have only fielded Shanto in five games. His highest score was 41 against Rangpur Riders, but in the other four matches, he failed to reach double figures.

Addressing the situation, Tamim said, "It is very unfortunate. We haven't been able to give him as many opportunities as he deserves. Our team combination has made it difficult to fit him in. Even in the early matches, we struggled to find the right balance. I have tried to give him chances, but his exclusion is not due to performance."

He added, "Shanto played a brilliant 40-run innings against Rangpur, but I couldn't find the right batting position for him. His attitude has been outstanding. Despite being the national captain, he remains professional and supportive of both senior and junior players."

Tamim also mentioned that left-right batting combinations influenced team selection. "I prefer not to have three left-handers in the lineup. There are several factors at play."

Barishal will face Chattogram Kings in their final league-stage match on 1st February, having already secured a top-two finish with a dominant nine-wicket win over Dhaka Capitals.