Champions Trophy 2025: Najmul Hossain Shanto concedes losing five wickets in Powerplay overs cost them the game against India

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto admitted losing five wickets in the Powerplay overs cost them the game against India in the ongoing Champions Trophy at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai on Thursday. India registered a six-wicket win to open their campaign on a high.

Shanto elected to bat first after winning the toss but the Tigers soon found themselves reeling at 35-5, with Axar Patel striking twice in two balls to get rid of Tanzid Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim. Bangladesh could have slipped further but the Indian captain Rohit Sharma fluffed an easy hat-trick catch when Jaker Ali was on nought. 

Towhid Hridoy, who was also given a reprieve by Hardik Pandya when he was on 24, scored a fine knock of 100 runs off 118 balls. Jaker Ali also added 68 runs off 114 balls and the duo added 156 runs for the sixth wicket to help Bangladesh get back into the contest.

On the other hand, Jaker Ali also bungled a simple catch when KL Rahul was on nine runs. Furthermore, Shanto admitted they missed run-out chances and if they had grabbed their opportunities, it could have been a different result. 

Najmul Hossain Shanto said in the post-match presentation, “Losing five wickets in the powerplay cost us the game. I think so. Hridoy and Jaker batted brilliantly but we still made mistakes on the field. Dropped catches and a few run-outs missed, the result could have been different. Impressive batting from Hridoy and Jaker against their spinners. I hope they will continue doing the same.”

Asked if playing an extra spinner in the final XI could have made a difference, Shanto said, I don’t think so If we got wickets with the new ball it could have been different. We have played Pakistan there recently and I am sure boys will adapt to conditions in Rawalpindi.”

Bangladesh will next take on New Zealand at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi on Monday.