We haven’t batted 50 overs properly, need to control T20 mindset, says Najmul Hossain

Bangladesh Test captain Najmul Hossain has attributed the team’s recent struggles in One Day Internationals to carrying a T20 mindset into the 50-over format. Not too long ago, ODIs were regarded as one of Bangladesh’s strongest formats, but recent performances have painted a different picture. The side has managed just seven wins in their last 25 ODIs, suffering 14 defeats, while one match was washed out.

Najmul pointed out that the team’s increasing emphasis on high strike rates and aggressive strokeplay is affecting their ability to construct long innings in the format. According to him, the team must reassess and adapt its approach if it hopes to regain consistency and produce better results in 50-over cricket.

"I think as a batting unit, in the last ten to twelve 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. In the last one to one-and-a-half years, we have played a lot of T20 cricket. So that could be one reason," said Najmul to reporters as quoted by Cricbuzz.

"Batsmen always have things like strike rate and big shots in their minds. 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,” he added.

Najmul further expressed concern over a similar overly aggressive trend in the BCL one-day tournament, saying it reflects a broader issue in Bangladesh’s 50-over approach. He noted that teams often fail to bat the full 50 overs, which limits their ability to post competitive totals. He also pointed out the lack of centuries in the tournament, stressing that more big individual scores should have been registered. According to him, these shortcomings are areas of concern and must be addressed to improve the overall standard of one-day cricket.

"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," said Najmul.

"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. 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," he added.

Bangladesh will return to ODI cricket with a series against Pakistan, marking their first appearance in the format since hosting the West Indies in October last year. The upcoming series provides both teams with valuable match practice as they begin preparations for the ODI World Cup next year, which is scheduled to be held across South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.