Najmul Hossain Shanto- File Photo

DHAKA, Feb 19, 2025 (BSS)-Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto was not
concerned by switching to ODI format immediately after playing T20 cricket
over the past two months.

While their opponents in Group A prepared for the Champions Trophy by playing
ODI cricket, Bangladesh headed into the tournament with just one one-day
game, in fact a warm-up game against Pakistan Shaheens. They lost the match
by seven wickets.

Bangladesh's last ODI appearance was against West Indies in December last
year, a three-match series, in which they were miserably swept away.

Shanto, who made a bold statement that Bangladesh set a goal to lift
Champions Trophy, said, it won't be problematic for them to switch to ODI
format, given that they played a lot of one-day cricket back at home.

"I don't think so because like we play a lot of cricket especially in this
format," Shanto told the reporters in Dubai today.

"We had a lot of matches but recently we finished BPL - especially the
batters, a couple of batters batted really well and they scored a lot of
runs. So that gives us a lot of confidence, but I don't think it will be a
problem to adjust this format."

Shanto rather emphasized on to cope with the condition, saying that the two
venues-Dubai and Rawalpindi-where they will play, will be vastly differently
in terms of wicket's behavior.

"I think we need to adjust, because if you look at this wicket, probably
Dubai s not that much high scoring if you compare to Pakistan. So, we have to
adjust," he said, adding that their recent experience to play in Pakistan
would be handy for them.

Bangladesh made a history by sweeping the two-match Test series in Pakistan.
The venue-Rawalpindi where they made history will host their match against
New Zealand and Pakistan.

"And recently we played against Pakistan in a Test match in Rawalpindi. We
have that experience of how the wicket will behave."

But as a cricketer, I think we all understand when we need to adjust and how
to play the game, he added.

"I don't think it will be difficult. I think the boys are really looking
forward to these two venues, how we can play good cricket."