I Am Not Too Worried About Captaincy – Tigers Stand-in Skipper Nazmul 

Bangladesh’s Nazmul Hossain Shanto insisted that he is relishing the prospect of leading the national side in the coming days as he could achieve a few monumental victories under his leadership lately against New Zealand, both at home and away.

Despite performing consistently with the bat, Nazmul believes that he has a lot to improve. Nazmul, who is more familiar as Shanto spoke at length with Kriknews recently. The inform batsman said that the ongoing edition of the Bangladesh Premier League [BPL] would help them prepare  and give their best in the forthcoming home series against Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe and also in the ICC T20 World Cup.

Q. You are experiencing the purple patch of your career. How much are you relishing it?

Shanto: I guess every player enjoys it when they pass the time. I am also the same, as I have been doing well around for the last two years. Nevertheless, I believe that there are a lot more things to improvise on and I am working on it. Simultaneously I am also focusing on how I can perform better and be more consistent. But overall, so far, it has been great, with the grace of the Almighty.

Q. Given your performance as a stand-by captain, the Bangladesh Cricket Board is now thinking of a long run with you as a full time captain once Shakib Al Hasan quits. How much are you ready for?

Shanto: In fact, I have enjoyed captaining the matches BCB has appointed me to. You know it is a decision from the board and I must respect the decision they make. At the same time, I am not too worried about it for now. If there is an opportunity, [captaining long-run] would surely try to perform it well.

Q. Soon-after the conclusion of the BPL, the Bangladesh national team will feature in a full-fledged series against Sri Lanka, then Zimbabwe at home, followed by the ICC T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the USA. Do you think it is going to be a hectic schedule for the members of the national fold?

Shanto: Really important. To me, the Bangladesh Premier League is very significant as we will get the opportunity to play a substantial number of games ahead of the two successive home series. So, we have to start the preparation from here. I think the games we would play in the country’s lone T20 franchise competition will really help with better preparation not only for the home series but also for the T20 World Cup. The BPL matches will undeniably provide us with confidence.

Q. You finished the previous edition of BPL as a top run-getter. So, are you also aiming for the same this season as well?

Shanto: No, not all. Honestly speaking I don’t have such an aim for this season. The lone target is to play as per the expectations of my team, the Sylhet Strikers. I would be keen to know what they actually expect from me, what their requirements are for each game, and what their game plan is. I think I should focus on these things rather than thinking of my individual feats; as you know, the team always comes first. Still, I will be trying to be consistent with my bat. I hope it will take care of my feats in the competition. As I said, I will try to play as per the team’s requirements.

Q. Considering your recent performance, Sylhet will surely expect a lot from you. How would you react in that case?

Shanto: 100 percent. I think I always try to play with my hundred percent for the sides I feature for. I commonly focus on how I can contribute to my side in each battle. Look, it is normal that my team will expect from me, but right now it is not important to me; rather, it is significant how I am reacting to my situations.

Q. How enjoyable is it to have Mashrafe Bin Mortaza as a team member?

Shanto: Of course, look, Mashrafe Bhai is always inspiring. If I am not mistaken, he has always been a captain of inspiration who can motivate his team members. I would acknowledge it as an opportunity to play alongside him. And what I believe is, if we can play as a team in the BPL, we can easily expect a brilliant result.