Defending champions Fortune Barishal would not want to stop now, having already made it into the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) final, to be played in Mirpur on Friday. However, even if they trip in the final hurdle, Barishal would still have a lot to take away from the tournament.

Unfortunately, the same could not be said of Najmul Hossain Shanto, the all-format Bangladesh skipper who has found it hard to make an impact in the competition.

Shanto has featured in just five of the 13 games this season. And, with his last opportunity coming on January 16 in a game against Dhaka Capitals, chances of Shanto appearing in the all-important final look slim.

"When you break the combination, there is a chance of losing and the momentum goes away," Barishal head coach Mizanur Rahman Babul told reporters yesterday.

However, Barishal's fear of losing momentum is now becoming Bangladesh's issue before a major tournament -- the Champions Trophy, set to begin later this month.

Shanto's five BPL appearances this season saw him manage just 56 runs, with 41 of those coming in a game against Rangpur Riders, at an average of just over 11. However, arguments have been laid out that the BPL and the Champions Trophy are completely different formats.

"The two [competitions] are in different formats, one is T20 and another is a fifty-over tournament and the pattern is different. Sometimes cricketers go through a lean patch. Maybe, he [Shanto] faced some problems coming in this format. The type of cricketer Shanto is, he can make a comeback anytime. I am hoping that in the upcoming Champions Trophy, he will lead Bangladesh, and, as a batter, he will lead from the front," Mizanur added.

Even though the matter has been downplayed by Barishal's coach, considering Bangladesh's chances in the Champions Trophy, Shanto getting his mojo back holds the utmost importance as the leader needs to be in and among the runs in order to be able to lead from the front.

When it comes to regaining confidence, Shanto will now have to bide his time and get his rhythm back when the Champions Trophy begins. With the Tigers set to open their campaign against India on February 20 in Dubai, it will be a steep task for Shanto to find his feet early in the tournament.

It was Barishal captain Tamim Iqbal, who said that it was unfortunate that Shanto could not be given more opportunities this season in the BPL.

"I must say it's unfortunate because I could not give him the chances that he deserved, and if you see my team, it is difficult to get the combination right," Tamim told reporters on January 29 after Barishal's win over Dhaka Capitals.

Yesterday, Barishal coach Babul also echoed similar sentiments.

"Shanto was in the team and we played him at the beginning. Maybe he hasn't scored runs. There are many cricketers on our side who have not played any matches. We have to see the team first and what combinations to play against which side," Babul told reporters.

Shanto was picked from the draft despite Barishal already having Tamim, a left-handed opener in the side, alongside other regular T20 openers like Dawid Malan and Kyle Mayers.

Shanto had no say on which team pick him from the draft, but the way things have panned out for him in this BPL, the matter has turned into a major concern to the national team's Champions Trophy prospects.