Mustafizs absence is a big loss: Shakib
Tigers captain focuses on gaining momentum from first match
Sports Reporter
Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan saw pace bowler Mustafizur Rahmans absence in three-match T20 International series against Afghanistan as a massive problem, specially when the Dehradun pitch is believed to be bouncy.
Even though he termed his absence as the opportunity for other bowlers, Shakib said it would be difficult for his side in such type of wicket without the best T20 bowler.
Naturally there will be some problem. He is the best T20 bowler in our team. So usually it would be difficult for us, said Shakib who left Dhaka yesterday for Dehradun to join the side.
But it will be an opportunity for other bowlers. Those who will get chance in the place of him, I hope he will grab it with both hands.
Mustafizur has already been replaced by fast bowler Abul Hasan Raju, as the team management understood the pitch will be pace-friendly.
The team has a practice session yesterday at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Dehradun. What they understand is that its a bouncy wicket. Even the Afghanistan are not totally used to in this wicket, said chief selector Minhajul Abedin Nannu.
Abul was with the side as a stand-by player. He is expert in delivering slower ball. In IPL we saw, there is some grass in the wicket, so a bowler, who can bowl slower, could be effective in this wicket. I hope Abul will get assistance from Dehradun wicket, Abedin opined.
But Shakib Al Hasan was not too bothered by the wicket as he is focused on to gain the momentum from the very beginning.
We want to go match by match. The focus is to gain the early momentum. If we can win the first match, it would be easier for us to clinch the series. So the first match is very important for us, the skipper for Test and T20 team said.
If the wicket is really pace-friendly, the threat of Rashid Khan could be minimal but neither Shakib nor Abdein was keen to focus on the leg-spinner.
Mustafizur Rahman will definitely be missed. He was the regular bowler for us in the shorter format. He has just played IPL and his experience in IPL could have worked on for us. But the other players who are in the team are keen to make a difference. Hopefully they will come all guns blazing, Abedin said.
Abedin however is still upset by the irresponsible attitude of Mustafizur saying that, He was injured in his last match in the IPL. But the Mumbai physio didnt give us any update even though there is rule that after the IPL, every franchise is bound to give an update of their foreign players. Either Mustafizur didnt clear them or they didnt make it clear to us. However still he played a match scenario practice match and didnt make any complain. Just few hours before departure, he complained of the injury. So it became problematic for us. He ensured that he wouldnt do that in future.
We have the like of Rubel Hossain who is experienced in this format and has been in form. Abu Jayed Rahi also played well in BPL. Hopefully he will be eager to take the chance with both hands if he fits into the team.
