logo
POST TIME: 31 August, 2017 00:00 00 AM
Bravo! Shakib once again shows his feat
His wife’s motivation contributed to team success
Abu Talha Sarker

Bravo! Shakib once again shows his feat

Bangladesh iconic all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan (C) reacts after the dismissal of Australian cricketer Glenn Maxwell (R) during the fourth day of the first Test at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in the capital yesterday. AFP PHOTO

Bangladesh iconic all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan tipped the victory in Dhaka Test against the top-flight Australia as tricky, stating that the victory was a team game what they motivated from the triumph of the England.

After being performed better against England, Bangladesh then played three away series against New Zealand, India and Sri Lanka in where they showcased their progress in Test beside their upliftment in one-day cricket.  

“The win against England provided today’s belief that we can make a comeback from a tough situation,” said Shakib Al Hasan, who set his bowling mark to a new height by claiming five-for or five more wickets in back-to-back innings.

“If it was before, we would have given up and lost. It was important to beat Sri Lanka in their conditions because not many teams have been able to do that,” Shakib told newsmen after the Dhaka Test victory against Australia.

“It was a difficult game for Bangladesh. Tamim batted fantastically, he could have scored two hundreds. There were many small contributions from a number of batsmen and bowlers. Taijul and Miraz contributed to this win by supporting my five-wicket haul,” he added.

The all-rounder said that they want to replicate their performance in Chittagong Test to make it 2-0 what is their ultimate target.

“It is part of the game. Australians are very good at it, we are learning from them. It was a good, exciting Test match,” he said, adding: “These types of matches will encourage people to come and watch more matches. It is good for the game, and I hope it continues in Chittagong.”

The 30-year-old spinner said that the big teams will show their respect to Bangladesh and more interest in playing with them after such victory against the Aussies

“I don’t know about that but obviously after this Test match, they will show a lot more respect,” he thought.

“In the end, it is different talking to the media and playing in the ground. At home we believe we can beat any side. We had that confidence and the belief came from the last two-three years. Not many have been watching us but we were quietly doing our job,” he said.

Shakib showed his dexterity with bat and ball in both innings as he said that he seeks to contribute for the team’s success in this way and if he could do it obviously he felt better for it.

“The best feeling is to contribute to the team’s win. It was an important Test for us since we hardly play against Australia. It worked as an inspiration for us. I want to contribute equally with both bat and ball. It is my job and responsibility to contribute as a senior player in the side,” he said.

“I could read the wicket better since I was bowling non-stop from one end. I had better idea about the batsmen’s weakness and strength. So I was telling Taijul. Credit goes to him that he took my advice and did the job. He played a vital role, which contributed to the win,” he also said.

Citing Mohammad Rafique as his idol, Shakib said that he considers him the best among the whole lot of the left-arm spinners. He also said that the situation has been changed a lot that the past while the team used to form to play better cricket or draw at best.

“We didn’t get pitches that helped spinners in previous years. We are getting those pitches now. So I don’t want to compare any spin attack differently,” he said.

“Mohammad Rafique was an idol, and I rate him very highly among the left-arm spinners,” he said. “Team and conditions were dictated by the strength of our batting line-up in those days, but the situation is different now. Miraz and Taijul are w

 

orld-class bowlers but we can improve a lot,” he added.

He terms his wife as his greatest inspiration, the ace all-rounder said that he contributed to the team’s success that came out from my wife’s motivation.

“My wife is my greatest motivation. She just messaged me, “Now I can sleep”. I was telling her last night that I don’t think we can win the game. She said you take five wickets and the team will win. I agreed with her thoughts.

 

More stories on 1st Test on page 17