New Zealand’s Santner Cautious Ahead of Bangladesh Clash in ICC Champions Trophy
In a recent press conference, New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner emphasized that his team will not underestimate Bangladesh, even though the side is missing their seasoned player Shakib Al Hasan at the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Shakib could not join the squad as he did not meet the necessary standards for his bowling action. This marks the first time Bangladesh is participating in an ICC event without him since he started his career.
Santner acknowledged that Bangladesh put up a strong performance against India in their opening match, despite the loss. He expressed confidence in the skills of the Bangladeshi spinners stepping up in Shakib’s absence. "They have a good balance," Santner said, noting that Bangladesh has players who can pose a threat with both bat and ball. He recognized those players as potential game-changers capable of surprising any team on their day.
“Shakib has been outstanding for many years and has shown his ability to perform well under various conditions,” Santner pointed out. He mentioned that Rishad, a talented leg-spinner, is joining the team, while seasoned players like Mehidy and Mahmudullah can contribute valuable overs if selected.
Santner also highlighted the batting strength of the Bangladesh team, mentioning the impressive innings played by Hridoy in the last match and how Jaker Ali has already made valuable contributions. “They are a team we take very seriously. We need to be sharp because when it comes to tournaments like these, any team can pull off an upset,” he added.
In addition to their spin attack, Santner praised Bangladesh’s pace bowling lineup, saying New Zealand must stick to their game plans. He noted players like Taskin and Mustafizur Rahman as key threats, pointing out that Bangladesh’s fast bowlers have been making their mark.
“We’ve had plenty of matches against them both home and away, so we know each other well. Understanding how they play on different pitches will be crucial for us,” Santner explained.
New Zealand is set to face Bangladesh on February 24 in Rawalpindi, and both teams are keen to show what they can do in this prominent tournament.
