Shakib asks batsmen to find a way

Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan urged the batsmen to find a way to score runs despite their lack of sound technique after the Tigers were beaten by seven wickets in the first Test of their two-match Test series against West Indies in Antigua.

Bangladesh were all-out for 103 in the first innings, and only Shakib managed a fifty, scoring 51. In reply, the Bangladesh bowlers managed to bowl the Caribbeans out for just 265, and fifties from Shakib and Nurul Hasan Sohan, along with 42 from Mahmudul Hasan Joy, allowed Bangladesh to post 245 in the second innings.

Despite Khaled Ahmed’s early three wickets, Bangladesh could not defend 84 as West Indies comfortably won by seven wickets.

After the match, Shakib accepted that the Bangladesh batsmen lacked solid technique, but they had to find a way to score runs in Test cricket.

“We have problems technically. I don’t think we have many batsmen who are technically sound. Those who are in the team have technical problems. But they must find a way to stay at the crease and score. Everybody must take responsibility to return to form and stay at the crease longer,” Shakib said in the post-match press conference on Sunday.

Bangladesh lost six wickets in the first session of the first day, and Shakib said that left them stranded for the remainder of the match.

“We were always behind after the first session. We were always recovering; we could not get ahead. That is the only regret. I am very happy with the bowling. I cannot stress more that we need to improve in batting, and it will be good if the catching gets better.

“Overall, I am happy. I won’t say I had much more hope. I think we had the ability to do better, and we missed that opportunity,” the Bangladesh skipper said.

Shakib’s predecessor as skipper, Mominul Haque, has failed to reach double digits in his last 10 innings, and the current Bangladesh skipper hinted at him being dropped in the next Test at St Lucia.

“I always talk with him. I will talk with him again. If he thinks he needs a break, it might happen. But I don’t think it’s good to make a decision or think about it right after a match. We have a break of 2-3 days. Then we will practice at St Lucia, and then we will decide what will be good for the team,” Shakib said.

Anamul Haque, who joined the team on Monday, might replace Mominul with the XI. If such happens, opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy might drop down to three, with Najmul Hossain Shanto at four.

Ahead of the second Test, Shakib was confident of his bowlers to put up a fight.

“It’s difficult to say something before seeing the wicket at St Lucia. But I think we can take some confidence from this match, from day two and three. If we had scored 150 runs more, then we could have fought more. We need more contributions from everybody. If we can, then with our bowling attack, we can fight against West Indies,” he said.

Shakib, asked about his third tenure, said he was feeling good about it. But if the same results continue from his batsmen, and he has to carry the batting alone as he did in Antigua, the taste might soon turn bitter.

While Shakib and the bowlers were a bright spot in Antigua, the Tigers will need a far more holistic performance from the team, including the top order, to put up a fight and win against West Indies in the second Test. If that does not happen, the same result may repeat in St Lucia.