Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto on Sunday (September 22, 2024) threw his weight behind the struggling Shakib Al Hasan and stated the nation’s best all-rounder is doing all the pieces in his capability to regain his type with the ball.
Within the opening match in opposition to India at Chepauk, which Bangladesh misplaced by an enormous margin of 280 runs, the 37-year-old Shakib logged his most costly bowling figures in his Take a look at profession, leaking 129 runs in 21 overs whereas failing to take a single wicket throughout two innings.
It was the fifth time in his profession that he went wicketless in a Take a look at match after bowling not less than 20 overs.
“Very courageous query. Masha Allah!” the Bangladesh skipper responded when requested a couple of struggling Shakib’s place within the Take a look at group.
“As a captain, truthfully, I take a look at how a lot laborious work a participant is placing into his sport.
He (Shakib) is doing all the pieces attainable to get his type again,” Shanto informed reporters on the post-match press convention.
“Whether or not he’s struggling sufficient to make a comeback (for me what’s essential is that) what’s their intention in the direction of the group and the way a lot he’s prepared to provide to the group,” he stated.
“I take a look at these items primarily. Some folks would possibly suppose that I’m saying it as a result of the query is about Shakib bhai. I attempt to take a look at everybody in the identical manner, whether or not it’s, from Nahid Rana to Mushfiq bhai.
“Greater than whether or not he’s scoring runs or not, I take a look at how is his preparation. What’s his interested by the group. I’m proud of the best way that each member of this Take a look at squad has ready and been prepared to provide to the group,” the skipper added.
Shanto justified his determination to not bowl Shakib sufficient within the first innings because the pacers had been doing their job properly.
“I did not really want him (Shakib) within the first innings, seeing how the three tempo bowlers had been doing. Miraz too was bowling properly. It was my plan to maintain the quick bowlers on for longer. We took six wickets shortly too,” he stated.
Whereas commentating, former India left-arm spinner Murali Kartik revealed that Shakib had discomfort on his spinning finger and shoulder, having undergone a surgical procedure on his bowling finger.
The Bangladesh star suffered a left index finger harm throughout the ODI World Cup final 12 months, and sat out for the match in opposition to India throughout the match as a result of a shoulder problem.
Shanto stated, “His ( Shakib’s) finger was taped. He was bleeding from his finger from the final time he was hit there.
“I do not really feel snug speaking a couple of participant’s particular person efficiency. It is a group sport, and solely an entire group’s contribution makes it attainable to win a sport.”
‘We’ve to give attention to our strengths’
Regardless of the hammering they acquired within the opener of the two-match collection, Shanto expressed confidence of a comeback within the second sport in Kanpur.
“They (India) have all high quality bowlers — spin and tempo each, however we can’t suppose an excessive amount of about their power,” he informed reporters throughout the post-match press convention.
“We’ve to essentially give attention to our strengths and consider in ourselves about how we will contribute to the group. I consider there are a variety of skilled gamers in our aspect, and I hope they’ll come again stronger.” Talking concerning the learnings from this Take a look at, Shanto stated it was important for his or her top- order to fireside however the batters simply caved in of their first innings, which dashed his group’s hopes of difficult the formidable hosts.
“I feel it was essential studying sensible. In first innings batting, particularly prime of the order, we should be a bit of cautious as we have to put in some runs.
“And, going ahead, I feel all of the batters suppose that they’ll bounce again. So, we’ll see.” Ranging from their in a single day 158 for 4 on the fourth morning, Bangladesh had been bundled out for 234 of their second innings as Ravichandran Ashwin scythed via their line-up with sensible figures of 6/88.
“At this time, I feel the morning session was very powerful. The way in which all of the (Indians) bowlers bowled was very well,” he continued.
“However, I feel Shakib batted very well, and we tried to contribute to the group by making an attempt to bat so long as we might, and that’s one optimistic factor about at this time’s morning session. After that, I feel we did not bat properly.” Shanto was Bangladesh’s top-scorer with 82 within the group’s second innings.
“The way in which I batted — that’s how I bat, particularly in these circumstances and in opposition to high quality spinners. I used to be very clear with my plans. I feel everybody has a distinct plan, and I hope they’ll plan in another way subsequent match,” he signed off.
Printed – September 22, 2024 03:50 pm IST
