The Bangladesh national cricket team is currently engaged in extensive discussions about various permutations and combinations within their dressing room as they gear up for the three-match T20I series against India. Set to begin on Thursday, October 3, in Gwalior, the team is focused on fine-tuning their strategies and lineup to ensure optimal performance. With anticipation building, the players are keen to finalize their approach and showcase their skills against a formidable opponent in this crucial series.
Bangladesh Finding Path to Adjusts After Shakib al Hasan’s Departure:
Bangladesh’s T20I squad is entering a new chapter as they adapt to life without star all-rounder Shakib al Hasan. The seasoned player confirmed his retirement from T20 internationals prior to the second Test in Kanpur, marking a significant transition for the team as they prepare for future challenges in the format without his valuable contributions.
Shakib’s T20I career lasted an impressive 17 years and 209 days, making him the longest-serving player in the format globally. He holds the record for being Bangladesh’s top run-scorer and wicket-taker in T20Is. While the team will miss Shakib’s skills and experience, they are now looking to Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who returns to T20Is after a 14-month absence as a potential long-term successor. This raises the question of whether Mahedi Hasan will need to make way for Mehidy in the playing XI, considering Mahedi’s reputation as one of the top bowlers in the powerplay overs.
Mushtaq Ahmed Sees this as Positive for Other Players:
Mushtaq Ahmed, the former national spin bowling coach, believes this presents an excellent opportunity for players who have been waiting in the wings. With Shakib al Hasan being a constant presence in Bangladesh’s T20I setup, the current squad now has the chance to step up and make their mark on the team as they adapt to life without him.
He said, “ I think that’s important for both Mehidy and Mahedi to get the opportunity and they avail the opportunity for Bangladesh and for themselves also. I think both Mehidy and all the spinners can bat. But they are right handers. I’m not saying right handers cannot win you matches. Opposition always struggle when you have left handers in your middle overs.”
He further said, “ I think Mehidy and everyone whoever plays white ball cricket, they have to improve their batting like Shakib used to do. Obviously they need to win matches win bat also. That’s a great opportunity for the people who were waiting many many years. Especially Mehidy, if he is getting his opportunity, he should take his opportunity.”
Mushtaq emphasized that the players stepping up to replace Shakib al Hasan must possess a strong character, as this quality has been a defining trait of Bangladesh’s cricketing icon. He believes that resilience and courage are essential for those new to the spotlight, enabling them to carry the legacy of a player who has long been a cornerstone of the team.
He further said, “ They have to be big hearted players. Shakib’s strength was that he was a big player because he got a big heart. He was never worried about the failures. In international cricket, you need to have a big heart.”
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He added, “ Shakib’s another strength was that he used to take chances and international cricket is all about taking chances. When the great players are at the top of their game, they don’t give a sniff to their opposition. They will win the game when the opposition is down. That was Shakib’s strength. Whenever he was in a good rhythm like 2019 World Cup, he was the best player because he was scoring a lot of runs and he was getting wickets.”
He continued, “ “This is a great message the young people can learn from Shakib, he was always taking the chances, taking the pressure off others. When he is bowling, he is always looking for wickets. His mindset was very aggressive. That kind of attitude you need in international cricket.”
He added, “ If you are worried about failure, you cannot be an achiever. If you want to be an achiever, you have to take your chances. You have to look to get wickets, you have to look to hit the ball, you have to look to take the catch. If you have the mindset, maybe you will lose one or two games but you can win a tournament.”
He continued, “ I think that’s an easy way to define that. That what Shakib used to do that. He used to play maybe one or two bad shots or maybe get more expensive, but whenever he won games he won single handedly. That why he was number one all-rounder in the world and guys who would replace him need to do that.”
Chandika Hathurusingha Also Talked on This Matter:
Bangladesh’s head coach, Chandika Hathurusingha, acknowledged that finding a suitable replacement for Shakib al Hasan is a challenging task, despite having a succession plan in place. He emphasized that while it’s a straightforward concept, executing it in reality is far more complex, and he doubts that an immediate, ready-made replacement will emerge to fill Shakib’s significant role in the team.
He said, “ I think succession plans are always there, especially at this stage of his (Shakib) career. You are not getting a like-for-like replacement for someone like Shakib.”
As Bangladesh embarks on their new journey without Shakib al Hasan, their immediate focus is on acclimatizing to the heat. Adapting to the challenging weather conditions will be a top priority for the team, ensuring they are physically prepared for the upcoming matches. How they navigate this transition remains to be seen, as they strive to establish their identity in his absence.
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