Shakib lauds ‘great start’ with eye on 2024 WC

T20I captain Shakib Al Hasan said that they made 'a great start' in their quest to build up a team for the for the 2024 World Cup after the Tigers defeated England by six wickets in the first of three-match T20I series.

"This is a great start in order to make a good team for WC in 2024 in the West Indies. We will be able to put out a very good team when the World Cup starts," Shakib said during the post-match presentation ceremony.

Bangladesh head coach Chandika Hathurusingha must also have been happy with the way his team approached the first T20I at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram. 

"I have only seen the T20 team today [Wednesday]. It is just the start of a journey to the 2024 World Cup. A lot of water will go under the bridge between now and then. This is again an observation to see what we have, what areas the players can improve on, and play to our strengths," Hathurusingha said on the eve of the match.

After the game, Shakib added: "The way we approached the game was fantastic; under the pump in first ten overs but no-one panicked. We stuck to the plans. Other than my dropped catch, everyone fielded well. In T20s, when you don't think too much, you tend to play well. Hopefully we can keep this in the dressing-room." 

In-form Najmul Hossain Shanto was adjudged player of the match after making his third T20I fifty and the left-hander praised a combined team effort for a first T20I win against England. 

"Towhid [Hridoy] batted well, I just watched the ball and played cricketing shots. Not too worried about losing two wickets. The way the bowlers bowled was outstanding, especially Hasan [Mahmud] and Taskin [Ahmed]. Rony [Talukdar] and Liton [Das] set the tone, which is very important in T20 cricket," said Shanto.