‘People don’t expect much from us’

Shakib Al Hasan was appointed as the T20I captain of Bangladesh for the third time and will start his new mission with the upcoming Asia Cup. He spoke to the media at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium’s conference room where The Business Post was present. For almost half an hour, Shakib shared his thoughts about preparation, captaincy, and many more issues. Here are the excerpts

On becoming captain again

(Nazmul Hassan, BCB President) Papon bhai keeps me under pressure. That could be it (becoming captain in difficult times). These are both challenges, and the board felt I was the best possible option. Maybe that’s why they chose me (to lead) for both formats. I am quite motivated now. I will try to use my experience to help the team do well. It is not important when I was offered the captaincy.

On Asia Cup chances

It is difficult for us (to think about the final). We have to play well in these two matches. If we can show a shadow of improvement from what we have done in the last year and a half, that’d be an achievement. We should make it to the Super 4s. I feel that when we can’t achieve targets that we set before a tournament, you will tell us that we talk big, but we couldn’t achieve the target. Let us have our targets in the dressing room. I don’t want to discuss it.

Importance of Asia Cup for T20 World Cup build-up

We want to focus on the improvement graph going up. Even if we become the Asia Cup champions and don’t do well in the T20 World Cup, it doesn’t really count. We must focus on steady improvement so that we can be one of the best teams in the World Cups in 2024 and 2026. India has not won a T20 World Cup since 2007, but they are always the favourites. I think being that is more important.

We are focusing on improving over the next two months. We have a long list of injuries, but given the volume of cricket, these things will happen. We can’t have everything in our favour, but we have to bring improvement in our performance in these circumstances.

Making Bangladesh a better T20 side

I believe people don’t expect much from us in T20Is. We haven’t ever had a great record in this format. We have never been consistent. You just have to focus and invest on T20s. Ultimately, in the next five to ten years, it will be the most popular format worldwide. We have to try several options before we will know the successful method. There’s no fixed target.

Making changes in playing style

We don’t have to change our style of cricket, but it is important that we use our resources properly. I believe that we are a good team and we have done it before. We have to play well consistently. We have to start winning, and if we don’t, we have to push it to the last couple of balls. People should understand that we are improving by being competitive. Not like now that we are losing in the first innings or within ten overs of the second innings.

Any change to be made as the new captain

I don’t think changing is the right method. I have to follow my process. I don’t think there’s a need for any change. We have to find the return on investment.

Fielders dropping catches regularly

It is definitely a concern. I don’t think we have ever been a good fielding unit. It is disappointing. If we have to improve, we need to change our mindset. Fielding is one area you can improve overnight, but if there’s fear, it can have a negative impact on you.There will be misses. The best fielders miss catches. But it is important how much you enjoy fielding. It will reduce the percentage of failure, but we have to make sure we reach the ball and try 100 per cent. Sometimes we start later and we can’t reach a catch. That’s more disappointing than the catch being dropped. Your desire to go under the ball in time is paramount. Within five to ten days, we can improve significantly if we can change this attitude.

Selfish game vs team game

We have to give the players the confidence that they can contribute to the team leaving aside the fear of losing their place. A new player always has that fear of failure. We have to tell them that they are part of the team for a long time, and it will definitely yield a return. Fear is very realistic, for a new player. It is nothing unusual. It exists in every profession.

Betwinner Issue

It happened how you (the media) started and finished (the Betwinner affair). I don’t have anything more to that.