Shakib Al Hasan has been more of a batsman for Bangladesh in recent times, especially in Test matches. Bangladesh's highest Test wicket-taker had just 2 wickets in the two Tests played, and seemed to be struggling with his bowling form. He talked to the media at the end of day 3 about his disappointments and also about the team's chances of saving or even winning the match.
Q. Was there any disappointment on you losing your partners and not being able to score a hundred?
Shakib: Not disappointed actually, but if we had batted longer it could have helped the team more. Wahab Riaz really bowled well in his first 4 over-spell. We knew it would be difficult this morning since we lost 5 wickets with less runs on the board and they were at their full energy. If we could have survived the first hour with maybe the loss of no wickets, then it could have produced a very good situation for us. But unfortunately it did not happen. And it happens in Test cricket that an hour of play can change the course of the game.
Q. Your prediction on the match result..
Shakib: It is tough to foretell, but normally chances are that we will lose the Test in the current situation because these many runs have never been chased before, and if we are not able to play the full two days, there is no chance of us to chase the runs down. It’s really difficult, but we can get inspiration from our second innings in Khulna. If something like that happens who knows! Especially if there is a partnership of at least 150 to 200 among any of the top four batsmen, I think it would build up a lot of confidence in the dressing room. It is difficult from both perspectives: the amount of runs to score and also the amount of time to play. The wicket is also not like the one in Khulna, the balls are going up and down and there are lots of changes happening, so it’s really difficult. But we can still take confidence from that last innings.
Q. How to go about and get inspired to survive..
Shakib: No one would get out intentionally of course, and everyone will try their best. From individual perspectives as well if someone thinks to score a hundred or a two hundred it would help both the individual and the team as well. I personally believe that we won’t give in without a fight.
Q. Did your innings of 89 today inspire the Batsmen when they came out to bat in the 2nd innings?
Shakib: If you notice, our batting was more compact and organized in the second innings, and we handled the tricky few overs of play today very well. The match could have been over if we had lost 3 or 4 wickets and tomorrow could have just been a formality. But we did not allow that to happen. Tamim is set, and Mominul has started well. If we can survive the first hour tomorrow without losing a wicket, we can hope for good things.
Q. Disappointed about your bowling form?
Shakib: It is disappointing, of course it is from both the team’s and my personal perspectives. At the same time, it can happen, its normal. I think the lack of bowling, and confidence were factors. I think my bowling was better in the last innings, and I hope to get back to my previous self. Obviously a few wickets would help me build the confidence. I know that the team is suffering from my bowling since there always is a responsibility on me especially in the bowling. When I do well, it does not get that much recognition, but when I don’t the realization of the importance of my bowling gets surfaced. I will try my best.
Q. Does the lack of you playing domestic longer version games create the lack of bowling?
Shakib: I don’ think that could be the effect. Because I have always played International matches more. I can’t recall the last time I got 5 wickets in a domestic first class match. In fact I think I don’t have more than 1 or 2 5-wicket hauls. Even when I play for my division, I don’t think I even bowl that much. It’s a mental thing. I think only in the last 3 innings I did not perform as the team’s expectations, maybe someone else should take some more responsibility (smiling). I will always try my best to perform, both with the ball or bat.
Q. How do you feel about scoring 1000 runs at Mirpur in Test cricket?
Shakib: Mirpur is always a special ground for me. I think I also have a lot of runs in one day matches as well. Half of my career belonged here, so the Mirpur ground is always very special for me.
Q. How does Shuvagata fit in the team combination as a number 8 batsman and a spinner? Could the team selection been different?
Shakib: It is of course a difficult position to bat, but at the same time it is an opportunity for him (Shauvagata). If Rajib (Shahadat) was not injured, it could have been different especially on the first session of the first day when the pitch was doing a lot, and our team selection could be more justified. I think we are lucky not to have batted in that situation. Likhon (Jubair) was also supposed to play as far as I knew, but he got injured before the match. The team selection could have been different if he was available. It is unfortunate, and it usually does not happen in a Test match, also if you look at the wickets we could have got if not for no-balls, they could have been 4 or 5 down by lunch. So many things could have happened. But this is cricket. There will be ifs and buts but we have to live with those at the end of the day.
Q. Is it possible for Shuvagata to contribute with the bat if he bats at number 8?
Shakib: Of course it is possible for him to contribute, especially if there is a recognized batsman with him, he could score a big partnership with them. Not that it has not happened before, many coming at 7 or 8 scored unbeaten 50s, 70s and 80s. Since he is a specialist batsman, he is also able to bat with the tail-enders by batting sensibly. If we think there is no scope for him to contribute, it will be wrong. But of course it is not easy.
Q. Your thoughts regarding Bangladesh winning the toss and fielding first?
Shakib: I personally feel that we are really lucky to have won the toss and not bat because if we had chosen to bat on such a difficult wicket I feel we could have been 4 or 5 wickets down early, and the game might have ended today, and maybe not even continue till tomorrow.
Q. Will Pakistan’s decision on not enforcing the follow-on be an advantage for Bangladesh in any way?
Shakib: If you count it in terms of days, yes it may be an advantage. I was actually surprised to see them not enforce the follow-on and bat again, because the flow that they were in at that time, it was the best time for them to attack. Hopefully if this works to our advantage and we can build a big partnership tomorrow, their decision could give them a lot of tension.
