Shakibs call to get mentally fit for Test
He defends Tigers have the capability to take 20 wickets
Sports Reporter
Bangladesh are going to play Test after a 14-month hiatus and so the panic-apprehension are peeking into the Tigers tent. But Mushfiq and com are making them with the best preparation to play the first Test against England at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium on Thursday.
Bangladesh had played their last Test in July 2015 against South Africa at home turf. Therefore there was no schedule for Tigers for longer version matches. Many thinks this big gap may affect on the team. But the iconic all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan sounds their confidence.
When we will go for playing in Test it will then be understood what our confidence is now. But we all are trying to take our best possible preparation till now, said Shakib Al Hasan.
We dont play Test matches for a long time. I couldnt recall when I had played Test for the last time. Its tough for me. Lets see and try to make my mindset for Test, Al Hasan told reporters.
Shakib himself admits that he fell into such situation thrice during his 10-year-long chequered career. Later he said that Test is the ultimate goal of a cricketer and every player remains keen to perform it.
I have been playing since last 10 years. It has been happened thrice, he said, adding It feels a new. A gap has been made. Hopefully we could be finished our preparation properly. We have another day in our hands. Test is the ultimate cricket for a cricketer. So everybody is delighted to play Test.
There is no more pressure. I dont bowl so many like the previous occasions. When I used to bowl more then I have a different type of role in the team. But it is not needed to bowl more now.
He said that they should focus more on mental aspect ahead of the Test match against the visiting English side.
It is honestly speaking that there is nothing to take more preparation. It would be better to be prepared mentally fit as much as possible. I think anything more is not needed for it, Shakib thinks.
Terming the previous schedule, the all-rounder said that they could make their adaptation playing domestic league prior to entering into the Test matches or series.
Before going to play Test, we used to play National Cricket League (NCL). Such type of schedule is not seen now. We play one day matches after one year. We had to play three matches to make our adaptation, he said.
Hopefully some more times will be needed for Test. It is different thing to do bowling and batting for a longer period. Lets see what happen. I think it will be a different type of challenge, he also said.
The 29-year-old spinner said that they will get down in the field for winning against the leading side.
We of course will play for winning. For it we have to play better cricket. We know that. We all are taking our preparation in that way, he said.
Differing with head coach Chandika Hathurusingha, the ace all-rounder said that their bowlers have ability to take 20 wickets if the wicket is being made in favour of bowlers.
Many things of the match will depend on wickets. When I play at home then it has been tried to build a flat wicket so that batsmen could make more runs. If the advantage is given to our spinners or pacer I think our bowlers have capability to take 20 wickets, he said, adding But if flat wicket has not been prepared for the match, then it will not be possible to take wickets for bowlers.
When asked about the rookie players, Magura-born Shakib said hope they all do better for the team.
About his own batting position, Shakib said that he will not change his batting position.
Normally I bat at number five or six position. I dont think that it will be changed, he told in response to a query.
