Tight security will not affect our game: Shanto

Dhaka — Top-order batsman Najmul Hossain Shanto on Monday said tight security will not affect the performance of Bangladesh cricket team during Pakistan tour.

Making a comeback in the national team after a good performance in Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), Shanto told the media at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium during the day’s practice session.

Tigers conducted a four-day practice camp at the National Cricket Stadium before flying to Pakistan.

“I’m not thinking about security situations. As a professional cricketer, we need to play our usual game. I think the security situations won’t affect our game,” said Shanto.

Pakistani media reported that the Bangladesh team will have tight security arrangement during their stay in Pakistan. Some, 10,000 cops will be deployed in Lahore to ensure a flawless and utterly secured environment for the Tigers.

Before coming back to the national team, Shanto played two Tests, three ODIs and two T20Is but failed to bring his age-level or domestic performance in the international cricket.

But the left-handed batsman is upbeat to capitalize his new chance in the national team. He hit a century in the last BPL as the only Bangladesh player and hit 78 in another game.

“I’m confident after good performance in BPL before Pakistan tour. It’ll help me to do well in Pakistan if I can continue the performance. I’m not thinking much about my previous chances in the national team but focusing on my current game plan,” Shanto added.

“I’ve changed my mindset which is helping me to stay calm and concentrate on my game. I believe that confidence is the key to do well,” he added.

“I’m not losing my sleep thinking about batting position in the team. I’m ready to bat anywhere in the batting order,” he added.

The first T20I of the upcoming series will take place on January 24 in Lahore. Bangladesh team is likely to reach Lahore on January 23.

“Tigers will have no practice game before the series, and I think they are not in a dire need to play practice games before the series, as they were busy playing BPL,” said Shanto.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan High Commission in Dhaka has issued “multiple entry” visas to all members of the Bangladesh National Cricket Team and also for the team management to tour Pakistan for 3 T20Is, 2 Tests and one ODI to be played at Lahore, Rawalpindi and Karachi respectively.UNB