ZCZC
BSP-19
CRICKET-SHANTO-MANAGEMENT
Team management’s assurance key behind Shanto’s consistency
DHAKA, Feb 23, 2020 (BSS)- The assurance of getting ample chance regardless of the performance from the team management gave Nazmul Hossain Shanto a psychological stability which eventually helped him to bring up consistency in his batting slowly, if not rapidly.
Dubbed as one of the most promising prospect of Bangladesh cricket, Shanto made his Test debut in 2017 against New Zealand but could make only 18 and 12 in two innings.
One year later, when he once again slotted back to the team against Zimbabwe, he made just 5 and 13 in two innings.
He was dropped and couldn’t get any chance until 2020 when selectors considered him for the Rawalpindi Test against Pakistan. He was given word that he would be in the team regardless of his performance.
And that did a wonder as he showed the consistency that the team management wanted. He scored 44 and 38 in two innings of the Rawalpindi Test before hitting 71 in the first innings against Zimbabwe in the ongoing solitary Test.
“There was fear of getting kicked out in the previous games I played. Something was in my mind when I got my maiden Test cap in 2017 in New Zealand. But, now I have been trying to play well in a regular basis. The coaching staff are advising me to not think much about getting out of the team. They told me that I will get enough chance. So I am focusing on my game only,” Shanto said, explaining what acted an inspiration behind his new found consistency.
Shanto however said apart from changes in psychological aspect, he didn’t bring up any tweak in his batting.
“In the last few months, I have been advised my personal coach of not thinking much about anything but my game and my strength, which is helping me to be confident and play according my strength,” he said.
“The mentality has changed a lot, I feel. I used to rush previously. But now I play with patience and I try to calm. This innings was so composed from the beginning,” he remarked.
And the team management rewarded his Test consistency, bringing him back to the ODI squad too. “I was in the system for a long time. When I got axed from the national team for the last time I was in the high-performance system which helped me to stay on the system. It was a positive thing for me. I feel every player should get this sort of chances. And the ODI chance, yes, I am happy. If I get a chance to play, I will try my best to do well.”
BSS/SMP/MMA/1953hrs