T20 World Cup 2024: Najmul Hossain Shanto confident of Bangladesh reaching Super Eight

The first stage of the T20 World Cup 2024 is nearing its conclusion, as teams are jostling for positions in the Super Eight stage of the competition. South Africa, West Indies, Australia, and India are the four teams who have already qualified from the four groups and four more are going to join them over the next few days.

Bangladesh are firmly in contention for a spot in the Super Eight stage after bagging two points from as many games in Group D. They started with a two-wicket win versus Sri Lanka before suffering a four-run loss to the Proteas. The Bangla Tigers have two games left and can progress to the next stage if they win both. They face the Netherlands on Thursday before squaring off against Nepal on Monday.

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Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto said that his team has played some good cricket in the tournament. He reckoned that Bangladesh would secure Super Eight qualification if they could play to their strength.

"Yeah, as I said, we played some good cricket here. And we are very much confident that the team we have this time, if we play with our strength, we should go to Super Eights," Shanto said at the pre-match press conference ahead of the crucial clash against the Netherlands.

When asked about his side's gut-wrenching defeat to South Africa in the last game, the left-handed batter said that such things happen in the sport and the team is happy with its performances. Bangladesh face the Dutch side at the Arnos Vale Ground in Kingston. Shanto said that the conditions are a little bit hot but asserted that his team has gotten accustomed to it.

"And here we had a very good practice session today. A little bit hot but the boys are already adjusted and I hope we will have a very good match," he added.

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The Netherlands have also registered two points from as many games. However, their net run-rate is +0.024 compared to Bangladesh's +0.075. Both sides are well in contention to reach the Super Eights and it can be expected that they will come out all guns blazing on Thursday.