His comments come during a period of uncertainty regarding Bangladesh’s participation in the upcoming T20 World Cup. The Bangladesh Cricket Board has officially reached out to the International Cricket Council, requesting a change of venue for their World Cup matches from India due to safety concerns. Although no decision has been made yet, this situation has added another layer of distraction for a team that frequently juggles on-field preparation and off-field issues ahead of global events.
“We haven’t had a successful outcome in any World Cup. We had a good chance last time (at the 2024 T20 World Cup), but we missed it,” Shanto shared with reporters on Friday.
“You’ll notice that right before every World Cup, an incident tends to occur. As a player who’s experienced one or two of these tournaments, I can tell you it impacts us.
“However, we put on a front to show that nothing affects us since we are professional cricketers. You know that it impacts us. It’s not easy. It would be better if these events didn’t happen. I believe the players still try to push aside these distractions to perform well.”
Bangladesh, who have yet to clinch a World Cup title, are scheduled to play three World Cup matches in Kolkata next month.
Tensions have escalated recently between Hindu-majority India and Muslim-majority Bangladesh.
Last month, hundreds protested near Bangladesh’s High Commission in New Delhi after a Hindu factory worker was beaten and set on fire in Bangladesh’s Mymensingh district for allegedly insulting the Prophet Mohammad.
According to several Indian media sources, the ICC informed Bangladesh that they must play in India, which is co-hosting the February 7-March 8 event with Sri Lanka, or forfeit the matches.
Nevertheless, the BCB rejected claims of any ultimatum as “completely false,” insisting it aims to collaborate with the ICC for a solution that suits both parties.
“I should also mention that this matter is beyond our control,” said Shanto, who hasn’t been included in the T20 World Cup squad.
“No matter where we end up playing the World Cup, I believe the players need to act as if nothing is troubling them, allowing them to perform well for the team.”
(With Reuters inputs)
