Today Shakib was our best batsman
Shakib played a brilliant innings of 87 runs on the second
day of the only Test against Ireland. He did not let the pressure of losing 3
wickets sit on him. 14 fours came from his bat in 94 balls.
3 wickets for 40 runs. After the return of Muminul Haque at
the beginning of the day, Shakib Al Hasan did not let the danger increase. He
brought the team to a strong position by forming a great partnership with
Mushfiqur Rahim, another experienced ODI player. Despite missing a century with
a loose shot, the Bangladesh Test captain has won praise from batting coach
Jamie Siddons.
Shakib played a brilliant innings of 87 runs on the second
day of the only Test against Ireland at the Mirpur Sher Bangla Stadium on
Wednesday. He did not let the pressure of losing 3 wickets sit on him. 14 fours
came from his bat in 94 balls. Some shots, however, were risky. He reached his
fifty in just 45 balls on his way to a century in the first session. But the
left-handed batsman, who did not taste a century for six years, ultimately
failed to reach the personal milestone.
Shakib made a partnership of 159 runs from 188 balls with
the centurion Mushfiqur for the fourth wicket. He returned to the dressing room
for the second session of the day. Irish off-spinner Andrew McBrien had to stop
while sweeping the delivery outside the off-stump. The ball hits the edge of
the bat and bounces back. Shakib was caught in the palm of wicketkeeper Lorcan
Tucker.
In the press conference after the game, Siddons called
Shakib the best batsman in Bangladesh, 'He ran fast but didn't hit the ball
much in the air. The way he batted... I think he was our best batsman today. He
was very controlled. After we lost 3 wickets in a row, he took control of the
team brilliantly, formed a great partnership with Mushfiqur and put us in a
strong position at the end of the day.'
He sees the effectiveness of the bowler's strategy behind
dismissing Shakib, 'It is a bit disappointing for him to get out like this. I
think the bowler has changed his technique. Tempted with a good delivery on the
off-spin shot outside the off-stump.
According to the Bangladesh batting coach, Shakib did not
take too many risks, his tendency to play too many shots was not responsible,
'I think he played the way he wanted to play. I mean, he played the sweep shot
very well throughout the innings. But with the tables stacked against him, that
shot was probably wrong. And if you make a mistake in batting, you are out. I
don't think it (that shot) has anything to do with the century. He scored a
little over 80 runs. Went a little closer in ODIs (93). I am sure he would have
been very happy to get a century. But all in all we are happy with his
contribution to the team.
On this day, Bangladesh's first innings stopped at 369 runs.
The Tigers got a big lead of 155 runs by playing with 34 runs for 2 wickets the
previous day. Then Ireland ended the day with 27 runs for 4 wickets in the
second innings. They are still behind by 128 runs with 6 wickets in hand.
Judging by the style of play, Bangladesh has a chance to win by innings
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