Shakib: I didn't ask for captaincy
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In the recently concluded Test series against West Indies, Shakib Al Hasan led the Tigers for the first time in red ball cricket since taking up the cataincy role in December 2017. And it goes without saying that the left-hander hasn’t been very effective in the leadership role as Bangladesh lost both the Tests under him inside three days.
However, the all-rounder isn’t bothered by the criticism he has been getting over this role. According to him, it is the board who chose Shakib as the right person and they’ll make necessary changes should they feel someone else is better than him to perform this role.
“I have been given this responsibility, I haven’t asked for it. When the board thinks someone else is better than me, [they’ll] give it to him. It’s none of my concern. The board has given me a responsibility and I am trying to perform it. My work is to play well as a player, to contribute to the team's win,” Shakib told Prothom Alo.
The 31-year-old feels that the team has to equally work on everything if they want to succeed overseas. He also said that nobody can expect any sudden changes in the team’s approach.
“If we want to improve in the Tests outside the subcontinent, we have to improve on all sides. For example, those who come from Guyana in the West Indies team, they play spin a bit better. Those from Barbados or Jamaica play fast bowling well, they’re weak in spin. These strengths or weaknesses are inborn facets. It is not possible to become strong or weak all of a sudden,” said the Bangladesh Test skipper.
Unlike the ODIs, no team effort or individual brilliance had been displayed in the Test series which resulted in a disappointing campaign for the Bangladesh team.
Shakib Al Hasan believes that success can be achieved if everyone is performing their individual duties accordingly. He also stressed the importance of carrying on despite all the bad results.
“[We] can’t give up completely. [We] have to keep trying. Preparation is important before playing in the tough foreign conditions. [The players] have to understand their specific roles.
“[The responsibilities] depend a lot more on their individual selves. Be it the players or the board, everyone has a responsibility here. It gets easier when everyone is performing their duties accordingly,” Shakib opined.
