ICC Champions Trophy 2025: "We're going with the target of becoming champions," says Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto

Bangladesh are in Group A in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Despite showing promise in bilateral series, Bangladesh have struggled in recent ICC tournaments. They finished eighth in the 2023 ODI World Cup and were knocked out in the Super Eight stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

The Bangla Tigers have been placed in Group A of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 alongside hosts Pakistan, India and New Zealand. They will start their campaign against India on February 20, followed by matches against New Zealand on February 24 and Pakistan on February 27.

The team will be without their star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, who was not picked as he is currently suspended from bowling due to an illegal action.

Bangladesh are coming to the tournament on the back of poor form in ODI cricket. They lost 2-1 to Afghanistan in November and were then whitewashed 3-0 by West Indies at home.

Shanto backs Bangladesh to win the ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Speaking to reporters before leaving for Pakistan, Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto said that his team has the capability to win the tournament.

Shanto said, “We are going with the target of becoming champions. I think all the eight teams here deserve to be champions. These eight are quality teams. I have a belief that our team has the capability [of winning the tournament].“

Bangladesh had an impressive run in the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy. They defeated New Zealand in the group stage and reached the semifinals of the tournament despite being in a tough group with England, Australia, and New Zealand.

Bangladesh squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025:

Najmul Hossain Shanto (C), Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Towhid Hridoy, Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan, Mahmudullah, Jaker Ali, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Parvez Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan, Nahid Rana

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