Bangladesh's Shakib Al Hasan unsuccesfully appeals during the World T20 cricket tournament match between Bangladesh and New Zealand at The Eden Gardens Cricket Stadium in Kolkata on March 26, 2016. / AFP / Dibyangshu SARKAR (Photo credit should read DIBYANGSHU SARKAR/AFP/Getty Images)
Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan noted on Friday (January 19) that his new batting position is expected to add more strength and balance to their lineup. He also mentioned how the new team management has come in with fresh ideas and has allowed the players a chance to take up more responsibility.
Ths hosts have produced two clinical performances, against Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka, to take an early lead in the ongoing tri-nation series. However, prior to the tournament, there was a lot of speculation about the team management following the untimely resignation of head coach Chandika Hathurusingha.
However, Khaled Mahmud and Richard Halsall, who took over in the post-Hathurusingha era, came in with no experience of being in charge of any national side. But Bangladesh have come out in top form in the two opening games setting the tone early in the competition.
“Those who do our planning, they have had a change in their mindset,” Shakib said on Friday. “We have had a change of coach, so the new person in charge has his own thinking. I won’t say we played without freedom in the past but now we are also playing freely. At the same time, we are also taking own decisions.
“This is a big advantage for everyone to be involved. Sujon bhai [Khaled Mahmud] and Richard [Halsall] knows what we need; they have been providing and we have been utilizing it,” Shakib added.
The star all-rounder also mentioned that they were in desperate need of a win, following their horrid run in South Africa. “We won most of our matches in 2005 and 2006 against Zimbabwe. We got our winning habit from that time.
“So since we didn’t do well in South Africa, it was important for us to do well in this tournament,” Shakib conceded. “To be honest, every team is strong at home. I certainly want us to build on it, while at the same time improve abroad.”
Shakib, however, cautioned his team against any complacency against Sri Lanka, adding that the opponents can bounce back. “Sri Lanka have an important match coming up against Zimbabwe. If Zimbabwe wins, we will play against them in the final. So, Zimbabwe have the advantage.
“But one shouldn’t write off Sri Lanka. They have quality players. They can make a comeback.”
Shakib also mentioned that his new batting position renders more stability to the lineup. However, he was disappointed to have missed out on an opportunity to score big. “If I could bat the whole innings, I would have scored a hundred. One always feels frustrated after getting out, regardless of the runs one scores.
“It is too early to say if it has balanced the team but I think our batting will be more solid.” Speaking about Tamim’s milestone – he reached 11000 runs across formats on Friday – Shakib mentioned that it always brings in healthy competition, who himself went past 10000 runs across formats during the game against Sri Lanka.
“There’s always a healthy competition within the team; who is scoring more runs and it is a positive thing.”
Shakib also mentioned how his batting form brushed onto his other trade – bowling. “One performance always complements the other. If I do well in the first innings, the confidence works in the second innings. If I contribute in both departments, it is always great for me.”
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