Bangladesh’s spin bowling coach Sunil Joshi was elated with the performance of Shakib Al Hasan and urged others to complement the ace all-rounder in the series deciding third Twenty20 international against West Indies.

Shakib performed single handedly in the do-or-die match against West Indies to help the host level the series by picking five wickets and scoring unbeaten 42 runs.

‘‘I think Sakib is an outstanding player. We all know that how talented he is. Not only in Bangladesh, if you look at across all formats, be it Test cricket, be it one-day cricket or be it Twenty20 cricket,’’ Joshi said yesterday at the outside of the team hotel lobby.

“As a spin coach you can’t ask more after seeing that a bowler claimed 5-21 in four overs in a T20 game. That’s why he is so special,” said Joshi adding that the bowlers need to put up an unified effort to clinch the series.

 ‘‘I think Twenty20 format is a batsmen’s game. There is very less for the bowlers. And when a bowler does well you have to give credit to him. Of course it’s the bowling unit which actually matters, not only the fast bowlers, the spinners also matters,’’ said Joshi.

“You look at Mehedi who got a crucial wicket, Riyad came in and chipped in. I think the way we started as a batting unit, bowling unit and fielding unit as well, it’s a combine of all the departments that win match for us,’’ he said

Joshi also said that they are looking forward to give the nation a New Year’s gift by clinching the three-match Twenty20 international series against West Indies.

Bangladesh have won the Test and ODI series and a win in the series deciding last T20’s will be an icing on the cake for the host.

‘‘I think we need to win. I think we need to focus on what are the good things we have done yesterday. At the same time, we want to continue the good things and finish off  the series on a good note. We have started the 2018 on a very good note, only the Nidahas Cup final is a disappointment. But we want to finish the series tomorrow on a positive note so that we can all have our Christmas and New Year gift,’’ Joshi remarked.

 “I think we have played really well. The approach was very different. What the way we approached in Sylhet and the way we approached in Mirpur yesterday it was fantastic. Definitely the team is feeling very happy after the win. Back home where we always win matches,’’ he said.

As Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium is proved to be lucky ground time and again for Bangladesh, Joshi thought the ground will give them with both hands in the series-deciding game also.

 “I think Mirpur has been a very lucky venue for Bangla Tigers I would say because we have won a lot of matches in Mirpur. And definitely the crowd also really brings a lot of encouragement.  I am not saying Sylhet will not doing the crowd and that was good also. But in the home advantage because Mirpur has been a venue for Bangla Tigers over the years and last 18 years so it has been a lucky ground for us,’’ he added.

However Joshi insisted that that he is against too much experimentation in the crucial game against West Indies

‘‘It’s always good to go with the winning combination,’’ Joshi said. ‘’Definitely the opportunities will come to the players who are good as well.”

“The other three members, who are now out of the final XI, are equally good to play international Twenty20s but only 11 can play. That’s the combination team decides. Hopefully the same team may play,’’ he concluded.

EA