Shanto sees dedication not individual performance, captain on Shakib

|| CF DESK ||

Shakib al Hasan’s underwhelming performance during the first Test match against India raised questions regarding his performance. However, captain Najmul Hossain Shanto defended the all-rounder stating that he sees dedication, not individual performance of a player.

Shakib had a disappointing outing with both bat and ball in Bangladesh's 280-run defeat in the first Test as he remained wicketless in Chennai, bowling 8 overs in the first innings and 13 overs in the second innings. In total, the all-rounder scored 32 and 25 runs in two innings.

Shakib has not been performing well with the willow, and his recent series in Pakistan was not productive as well. He last scored a half-century in April against Ireland in Mirpur. Since then, he has not scored a fifty in his last seven innings.

"As a captain, honestly, I look at how much hard work a player is putting into his game; whether he is struggling enough to make a comeback; what their intention is towards their team; how much he is willing to give to the team. I look at these things mainly. Some people might think that I am saying it because the question is about Shakib bhai. I try to look at everyone in the same way, whether it is Nahid Rana or Mushfiq bhai,” said Shanto in the post-match conference.

“More than whether he is scoring runs or not, I look at how his preparation is; what his thinking is about the team. I am happy with the way that every member of this Test squad has prepared and been willing to give to the team," he said.

Shakib's lack of involvement with the ball during the match also raised questions. Despite bowling a lot of overs during his recent lone match with Surrey in the English county championship.

Shakib who suffered a finger injury earlier this year is reportedly having an issue with his bowling finger. But Bangladesh skipper Shanto said it was his decision not to use Shakib much as the wicket favoured pacers more during the first three days.

"I didn't really need him [Shakib] in the first innings, seeing how the three pace bowlers were doing. Miraz, too, was bowling well. It was my plan to keep the fast bowlers on for longer. We took six wickets quickly too," he added.