Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto gave a blunt response on Shakib Al Hasan's absence from the Champions Trophy. Earlier, Shakib couldn't make the cut for the multi-nation event as he failed to pass his tests . It's also the first time since Shakib's debut that Bangladesh would be playing in an ICC event without their premier all-rounder.

In the press conference before Bangladesh's opening game against India on February 20 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, one of the reporters asked Shanto whether not having Shakib for the Champions Trophy would affect them. In response, Shanto gave a one-word response, saying, "No".

Shakib last played international cricket in the Test series on Indian soil last year. Shakib also missed out on playing in his 'farewell Test' against South Africa in Mirpur due to political turmoil in Bangladesh. He didn't take part in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) either.

'Really confident'

Shanto, who scored 286 runs, last year in ODIs at an average of 71.50, said that Bangladesh are confident enough to put up a fight against Rohit Sharma's India.

"I think we have to play well in all departments - batting, bowling, fielding - because I think the way we played the last few years in this format, I think we have a good side and, as you mentioned, the conditions are quite similar.

Bangladesh played in the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy last time around when India beat them at Edgbaston in Birmingham. Shakib had scored a hundred against New Zealand at Cardiff, helping Bangladesh win by five wickets. In the upcoming tournament, apart from India, the Tigers will also face Pakistan and New Zealand.