Shakib urges Tigers to play as a unit
He doesnt want to think much about the wickets
Sports Reporter
Shakib Al Hasan insisted on playing as a unit in the upcoming triangular and bilateral series rather chewing over too much on pitch and condition. While Bangladesh would have little headache for Zimbabwe, they certainly would think about Sri Lanka who as a team from Asia could cash in on Bangladesh condition.
Bangladesh laid out a plan to offer rage turner for the teams likes Australia and England during the Test series and became successful but things would be different against Sri Lanka who has some good spinners in the contingent.
However when there was much talk about the pitch and condition, Shakib Al Hasan urged all to stop pondering on pitch and come out with the best.
What will be the nature of the pitch, what will be the conditionthose are not the things we should think about. Suppose what will be, will be identical for both of the teams, he told the reporters yesterday.
I believed if we can bring up our A game, then any team would get a hard time to win over us regardless of the advantage the team gets here. Our focus should be to play as a unit.
But he admitted that the triangular series and bilateral series would be much competitive for them. Bangladesh will play a two-match Test series and three-match T20 against Sri Lanka before they play a triangular series involving Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka.
Both of the teams have much knowledge on our condition, players and pitch because they play here more often than not. So a tough competition is awaiting. But I think we are better team, better equipped so we have the chance to be successful against them, the ace all-rounder believed.
He also reckoned that the players are aware of their role and they are more determined to do well.
Every player is aware of their role. They are determined to play their role perfectly. If we can execute our plan well and play and do the things according to what is imposed on us, we have every reason to be successful, he remarked.
Since Mashrafe Bin Mortaza and me is here as a captain for different team, our responsibility will be more than the other players.
Shakib Al Hasan however will leave Bangladesh on January 7 to attend the first meeting of the MCC World Cricket Committee in Sydney. He insisted that he wouldnt like to be a mere spectator in the meeting as he aimed to contribute with such idea that can shape the cricket across the world.
I dont want to be a mere spectator. I want to contribute in my own style and want to be active as long as I am in the committee. I am thinking and preparing that way. If I cant make difference, there is no reason to occupy the post, he said adding that its an honour that he savours.
Shakib was the first Bangladeshi to join the MCCs World Cricket Committee in last October and was one of the four new faces to the 14-member committee alongside New Zealand womens captain Suzie Bates, former West Indies fast-bowler Ian Bishop and former Sri Lanka off-spinner and current ICC Elite Panel umpire Kumar Dharmasena. Shakib and Bates in fact are the only two who are the current cricketers.
Mike Gatting replaced Mike Brearly as the head of the committee when it was formed newly in last October. The committee was also bolstered by the high profile names like Sourav Ganguly, Brendan McCullum, Kumar Sangakkara, Ricky Ponting, Rod Marsh, Tim May, Ramiz Raza, John Stevenson, Fon Der Bile.
