Shanto warns T20 hangover hurting Tigers’ ODI game

Bangladesh’s One Day International hopes could be under threat from an unexpected source: the team’s own T20 mindset.

Test captain Najmul Hossain Shanto said the national side’s obsession with high strike rates and big shots is affecting their ability to build innings in the 50-over format — particularly in the middle overs, where games are often won or lost.

Shanto stressed that the team must recalibrate its approach if it is to succeed in a heavy ODI schedule this year, which forms part of their preparation for next year’s Cricket World Cup in South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe.

“I think as a batting unit, in the last 10 to 12 ODIs we haven’t been able to bat properly for 50 overs. So that is a concern — how we can bat well, especially in the middle overs, and finish the innings,” he said on Tuesday after the Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL) final.

Bangladesh’s preparation for the now-cancelled T20 World Cup reinforced a focus on the shortest format, and Shanto believes this has carried over into their ODI approach.

“In the last one to one-and-a-half years, we have played a lot of T20 cricket. So that could be one reason. Batsmen always have things like strike rate and big shots in their minds,” he explained.

He added that the team is missing key elements of 50-over batting: handling the new ball, protecting wickets, and rotating strike to build long innings.

“How we can calm down a bit and build the innings rather than thinking too much about fours and sixes — if we improve in this area, then you will see that we can dominate the full 50 overs,” Shanto said.

Shanto also reflected on lessons from the BCL one-day tournament, where he observed a worrying trend. “If you look at the entire BCL tournament, every team played in a similar way. It was very disappointing, especially for my own team. All four teams had experienced players who have played 50, 60, 70 ODIs. In such a situation, as a whole batting unit, we should have been more consistent. There should have been more hundreds, and we should have dominated for 50 overs, which didn’t happen,” he said.

He warned that the issue is not limited to domestic cricket.

“This is something that is also happening in international cricket. So as batsmen, we need to focus more on this area. With the Pakistan series ahead, how we overcome this area is important. Although, we had a good tournament before the series, which will be an added help. I hope we can overcome this area properly,” Shanto added.

Shanto’s message is clear: in order to thrive in ODIs, the team must shed the T20 instinct of instant aggression, focus on building innings, and master the crucial middle overs — the phase that could define their path to the 2027 50-over World Cup.