Painful but not shameful, Shakib on Test defeat to Afghans
Pic: Bcb
CF Correspondent
The pain, the disappointment of a Test defeat to Afghanistan is there but Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan was reluctant to term it as disappointing.
The captain said things will come under control if they could perform well in the upcoming Tri-nation T20 series, involving Afghanistan and Zimbabwe, slated to begin from September 13.
“I don’t think it is shameful. It is disappointing of course but not shameful,” Shakib said here on Monday.
“We need to win the first T20 match. If we can do that then we will have the chance to bring everything under control,” he added.
“We have to take preparation though we don’t have just three days. We have done around faster. The players who are selected for Test, most of them will play in T20s. Everyone has to change the mentality to T20s from Test. And at the same time we have to perform. It will be difficult for us. But the result is very important to have a good start in the tournament.
There was criticism that Bangladeshi players are not much interested to play longer version format but Shakib protested it by saying, “People have different mind-set. Everyone can give that opinion of their interest of playing or not. But I don’t think none of the members who are in this squad, have that interest of not playing the Test matches.”
Shakib’s own performance in that Test was disappointing when there was high hopes on him following an epic World Cup performance.
“I am right there where I have always been, after the World Cup and now. Everyone can see it differently, that depends on them. I always try to perform. I cannot contribute in every match, that’s normal. And that can happen,” he remarked.
Shakib also talked about much-talked rotation policy to protect players from being burnt. At the same time he raised the issue of dividing two teams for longer and shorter version format.
“I think I have said it. We should understand first that who is more suitable for which format and have to be stick with that. We don’t have too many options to choose. If you see premier league, there are only 10-11 matches and we have choose player from there. We have to pick T20 players from one T20 tournament, BPL. And other is NCL. So we have to pick three types of players from these three options. So I don’t think we have enough options.”
“And the player has to deserve the format. Or he has the chance to play well in that particular format. I think we have to progress with a big plan. Otherwise, these results will come more often. Maybe it is happening more now, that has from World Cup, then Sri Lanka and Afghanistan. If we can’t turn around, I think it will be really tough to think something better. Taking good decision also becomes tough at bad times. So we need to win so that we can take the good decisions.”
Shakib however showered praise on his opposite number Rashid Khan after he led the side to the victory, with match haul of 11-104 and scoring 51 in first innings.
“Though new in Test but he is a world class bowler in T20 for long time. If he can apply the same in Test, there is possibility that he can bowl well. What he did well against us. He was a good factor for us and he proved it taking 11 wickets. His batting was also handy. His runs pushed him team forward,” he said.
