DHAKA, June 22, 2025 (BSS)- Former Bangladesh skipper Habibul Bashar Sumon 
today insisted Najmul Hossain Shanto's shouldn't be criticized excessively 
for not scoring in one or two matches as he has the enormous talent to give 
the side useful service.

"But the excessive social media trolling and outside criticism hampered his 
batting significantly, something which I felt," Bashar said here today.

Shanto, the Test captain of Bangladesh, scored twin centuries in Galle Test 
against Sri Lanka, which fizzled out to a draw yesterday.

His 148 and 125 not out in two innings of the Galle Test was his second such 
instance after his 146 and 124 against Afghanistan in 2023 and made him the 
15th batter to seal the milestone more than once. He is also the 16th captain 
to achieve the feat.

"I hope that if he doesn't score runs in the next couple of matches, there 
will be no criticism. Shanto is one of the best batsmen in our team in all 
formats," Bashar said. "I am not surprised to see him batting like this, this 
is actually his true form. He has the ability to bat like this."

Shanto has been the regular target of some social media users when he fails 
to make his bat talk. Even his family was dragged into the matter. 

Bashar, one of the best captains of Bangladesh, said that he has seen the 
pressure of criticism on Shanto's batting for so long. 

"We sometimes put him under pressure. Continuous trolling or criticism puts 
pressure on players," Bashar said, adding that it is impossible to avoid even 
a mentally stronger personality like Shanto. 

"Even if you talk about avoiding it, it is not easy. We know how mentally 
strong Shant is. But I think this has hampered his batting of late. I feel so 
after watching his batting closely. But the good news is that he has come 
back well.'

Allrounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz who has been the Bangladesh's most successful 
batter and bowler in the last one year didn't play the Galle Test due to his 
fever.
 
Bashar said Miraz's comeback in the second and final Test, beginning from 
June 25 in Colombo would give Bangladesh a proper balance.

"If Miraz returns, we can play with five bowlers. In that case, we will have 
to reduce one batter," he said. "But that will not be a problem because Miraz 
is also a proper batter, something which his stat proved."