NEWS
Follow UsShakib Al Hasan is not happy with how Bangladesh's batters have performed against Australia and India in the Super 8 stage of the 2024 T20 World Cup. Bangladesh could only manage 140 against Australia and were then restricted to 146 while chasing 196 against India in Antigua on June 22 (Saturday).
"We have a 50 percent win rate in this World Cup but if we had fought against India and Australia the way we fought against South Africa, we could have called it a good World Cup campaign," said the experienced spin-bowling all-rounder after losing to India by 50 runs.
"We are short of runs as a batting unit. We made 140 in the last game, 146 today. We should have done better today since we had a target in front of us. We couldn't even show it to people that we were trying (to chase the target) today. I don't think the confidence was there. We have lacked in this area throughout the World Cup.
"You have to bring your A-game against teams like Australia and India. I think we lacked in skill and strength. We couldn't do the basics for longer periods to create pressure. Throughout this World Cup, I don't think we justified ourselves as a batting unit. We are capable of scoring big runs. We were well short of par scores like 175-185 in the last two games, both played on good wickets. Maybe India scored 20 more runs today but we have to show the intent from the start of the innings. I don't think it was there."
Talking about the bowling, the left-arm spinner said: “Regarding the bowling, when we get a little more advantage/facility on the wicket, then our team has a very good bowling attack. We have a lot of room for improvement in the flat track. But this time the wickets were suitable for the bowlers, so we bowled brilliantly. The bowlers have to be credited for the way they bowled.
“There is no reason to take away the credit from them. But when we play on a flat track, we struggle a bit. But if we have some facilities, we are a very good bowling team. Regarding batting, when there is a flat wicket and it is a 180-200 runs game, then we lag behind actually. We understand the game of 130, 140 or 150 very well. Because we are used to playing this kind of game all the time,” said Shakib who scored 11 off 7 before getting out to Kuldeep Yadav.
“Even during BPL (Bangladesh Premier League), when the foreign players play, it happens. I saw only one match this year when Comilla won against the Rangpur team. Liton and Hridoy batted very well and chased 180. Except that I didn't see that our local batsmen could chase runs like this and win the match. We always had a weakness in that place and we still have it.”
Shakib is now 37 and the next major ICC event, the Champion Trophy, is in Pakistan in 2025. When asked about his future, Shakib said: “I will think about it. This is my thought but this can be changed. I am not thinking much about this right now. There is a long gap. Then I can reflect and see what the team needs. If the team thinks that they need me, and If I think that I need the team and I am feeling desired in that way then, I mean, if everything goes well then it is a matter of playing for the team. Otherwise, if I am not enjoying then, I will not play.”
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