‘I always prefer batting at three’

After a run of 13 innings without a fifty, Bangladesh batter Najmul Hossain Shanto looked in his element in the recently concluded ODI series against New Zealand, breaking the drought with a half-century in the second ODI in Mirpur before following it up with a commanding fourth ODI ton in the decider in Chattogram. Across those two innings, he first showed patience under pressure and then took control with a more assertive approach. Shanto spoke about navigating that lean phase, whether stepping away from captaincy influenced his batting and more, in an exclusive interview with The Daily Star’s Abdullah Al Mehdi. The excerpts follow:

The Daily Star (DS): Reflecting on the New Zealand ODIs overall, how uplifting was the team's performance and your own?

Najmul Hossain Shanto (NHS): As a team, we did well, and that’s a positive. We’ve been playing good cricket for the last three series, so it’s crucial to keep this momentum going. I think the team bonding is great right now, and everyone is trying to contribute together. On a personal level, I desperately needed these two innings. I hadn't scored big runs in a while. So, from that perspective, I’d say it was a good series for me.

DS: Who did you turn to for guidance during that lean phase?

NHS: Actually, I had been working on my game for the last few months. I always work on my batting with Sohel [Islam] sir. I spent the last few months working with him, focusing on both technical and mental aspects. After putting in that work, I felt a bit more confident.

DS: What specific adjustments were you working through at the time?

NHS: No, it wasn't anything major. Like I said, I was focusing more on technique. I was dealing with a technical issue -- well, I wouldn't call it a problem, just something I was struggling with. Mentally, I am generally a positive person. Even when I wasn't scoring runs, I feel my approach and mindset remained positive. But of course, when the runs aren't coming, a bit of nervousness or a different feeling creeps in. However, I believe I held up well in that regard. My main focus over the last few months was really on resolving that technical aspect.

DS: Has stepping down from the captaincy affected your batting in any way?

NHS: Honestly, whether I am captain or not doesn't matter to me at all. As long as I am scoring runs, that is what matters.

DS: You also had a few sessions with Tamim Iqbal. How did that shape your game?

NHS: Before the BPL (Bangladesh Premier League), I was working on a specific shot. I felt Tamim bhai would be the best person to consult because he played that shot very successfully throughout his career. I wanted to learn from his real-life experience and understand how he executed it. I invited him, and he beautifully explained the whole process to me. He also spent two days with me indoors, generously giving his time. I benefited a lot from that, and I'm still working on it.

DS: How disappointing was it to be retired hurt for cramps in the second ODI? You have worked on a conditioning routine. How good was it transitioning to Chattogram from Dhaka?

NHS: The heat will always be there, though it was comparatively higher this time. But as a professional cricketer, we shouldn't complain too much about things beyond our control. The heat was what it was. Before the series started, we had a very good fitness camp. I believe Ifti (Iftekhar) bhai conducted excellent training sessions. However, I had a slight injury issue that restricted my running, so I had to approach the fitness camp in a slightly different way. Even so, I feel it helped me. If I could have completed the full camp normally, the results might have been even better. But due to my running restrictions, I had to adapt. Still, the fitness camp definitely helped.

About getting cramped and retiring in the first match, it was absolutely disappointing because I should have finished the game. The way I was batting, if I had stayed until the end, we could have won much more comfortably. It would have also boosted my personal confidence even higher. But again, that was out of my control; I tried to give my hundred per cent, but it didn't happen.

DS: You had a positive approach despite Bangladesh losing wickets early in the third ODI. What was your plan in terms of acceleration?

NHS: Whenever I bat, my focus is always on scoring runs. If you bat with positive intent, you create more scoring opportunities. My plan from the very beginning was to figure out ways to score. Litton held down one end brilliantly with his innings. But my mindset was to look for scoring opportunities on every single ball, which allowed me to execute well against the bad deliveries. That was the main plan.

DS: How were the conditions in Chattogram?

NHS: I found the Chattogram wicket very challenging. Scoring runs was difficult and the outfield was very slow, which made it even harder. We tried to build a big partnership and take our time. Because it was so hot, we knew the bowlers would eventually get tired, and we planned to accelerate then picking my moments.

DS: Looking at specific parts of your innings, you were charging the fast bowlers a bit, stepping down the track. You hit several aerial shots straight down the ground in the V. What were your plans?

NHS: I feel those shots are my strengths. Given the nature of the wicket, I felt playing those shots was the best option to extract runs. I naturally play those shots whenever I score big. So, I tried to play accordingly. I assessed which shots could realistically be played on that specific pitch, stuck to just two or three types of shots, and didn't try too many different things. By the grace of God, I was able to execute them.

DS: By stepping down, were you also trying to adjust the bowlers' lengths so you could manage the short deliveries and pulls better later on?

NHS: You often have to make adjustments based on the bowler's strength. I try to play the ball on its merit. I've always played the short ball well; it’s an area of strength for me. I did move around the crease a bit to disrupt the bowler's length, and I was successful in doing that on that day.

I practise these things constantly. You have to make adjustments. When you bat, conditions won't always be in your favour, and that's natural. You have to bat by adjusting to the wicket and the opponent's bowling strength.

DS: How mature does the pace unit look to you now?

NHS: Every single pace bowler… to operate the way they did in this heat and in these conditions shows they deserve all the credit. They played a massive role in us winning the series.

DS: You batted at number four in the last two ODIs. Looking ahead, where do you see your batting role, particularly with the World Cup approaching?

NHS: That’s a call for the coach, management, and captain to make. Personally, I always prefer batting at number three, and I’ve had success there in the past. But ultimately, I will be prepared to play wherever the team management, coach, and captain ask me to.