Ahead of the NCL T20 2025 final, captains Akbar Ali and Mohammad Mithun have struck composed yet confident tones as their sides prepare for the title showdown.
Akbar, steering a team that found form late in the tournament, dismissed the idea of added pressure despite the occasion. He insisted the final would be approached like any other fixture.
“We will try our best, and when we step onto the field the intention will be to win. Even though it is a final, I see it like any of the eight to ten matches we have played. The significance might be a bit higher, but the planning stays the same,” Akbar said.
He credited Nasir Hossain for stepping up with both bat and ball and revealed that the senior all-rounder had personally volunteered to open when the top order faltered.
“I thought he would bat at three. But he himself said our opening was not working and he should go. It was his decision, and I think it was a very good one,” Akbar added.
Reflecting on their campaign, Akbar said the team’s original goal was simply to qualify among the top two in the group, but momentum arrived at the right time.
“The ultimate target is always to fight for the championship, but it is tough. Match by match was better for us. The momentum came when we needed it and we are trying to use it. We will go in with the same approach and the mentality to win,” he said.
Asked about the narrative that his captaincy delivers trophies, Akbar laughed it off but acknowledged the run they are on.
“I do not want to claim something like that. It is going well, and of course it feels good to hear those things. But it is not that easy. We will stick to the same approach from the group stage and go out with a winning mindset.”
Mohammad Mithun, leading a seasoned and balanced side, said both teams deserve respect but his players are driven by a bigger motive.
“Rangpur have played very good cricket in recent matches. They are defending champions and of course a strong side. We respect them. But we are playing well too. Our team is experienced and very balanced. We are hopeful,” Mithun said.
He added that players were motivated by the fact that Khulna have waited a long time for a trophy.
“We were determined to bring the trophy to Khulna. It is a new match and we will give everything.”
Mithun also praised Abhishek’s return from injury and the timing of his inclusion.
“We did not have a clear idea about him before. You have seen his ability. Since he was coming back from injury, we had to manage his workload and bring him in at the right time. I think we succeeded with that.”
Reflecting on his side’s collective strength, Mithun said they have not relied on individual stars.
“If you look at our team, we have not come this far through one person’s performance. It is the team as a whole. We do not have the highest run-scorer or wicket-taker, but whenever someone was needed, they delivered. That is our main strength. We are not dependent on one or two. We trust the whole squad. We do not know who will play the match-winning knock tomorrow, but whoever does it, we will be happy.”
He was reluctant to single out emerging talents.
“That is not my job. The selectors are watching. Many are performing, and naming one or two would be unfair. I always look at how someone performs in pressure moments. Scoring 10 off five balls can reveal big character. I am sure those things will be noticed. Not just total runs or wickets.”
