Najmul Hossain Shanto says off-field controversies affects Bangladesh players

Shanto was speaking as Bangladesh's participation in the upcoming T20 World Cup in still in doubt following a row with co-hosts India.

The issue started when IPL side Kolkata Knight Riders removed Bangladesh seamer Mustafizur Rahman from their squad after a request from the BCCI.

There had been reports that religious and political leaders had threatened KKR owner Shah Rukh Khan over acquiring Mustafizur's services at a time of political differences between Bangladesh and India.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board then informed the ICC that the team will not play any matches in India at the global tournament, and would rather play in co-hosting country Sri Lanka.

The Tigers' participation at the global event remains in doubt with the sport's governing body yet to make a decision with teh tournament starting on 7 February.  

Shanto said: "We haven't got a good result in any World Cup. We had a good opportunity last time (at the T20 World Cup in 2024), but we couldn't do it.

"But you will notice that before every World Cup, there's some incident that takes place. As a player who has played one or two of these tournaments, I can tell you that it affects us.

"But we 'act' as if nothing affects us since we are professional cricketers. Even you know that it affects us. It is not easy. It is better if these things didn't happen. I think the players still try to keep all things aside to perform well.

"I would also add that this thing is beyond our control. Wherever we play the World Cup ultimately, I would think that the players have to act like nothing is bothering them, and they can do well for the team."

Shanto isn't part of Bangladesh's T20 set-up, but he did captain them at the previous T20 World Cup. He was also part of the ODI World Cup campaign in India in 2023.