The 12th edition of the ICC World Cup is only a month away now and all the teams have started to fine tune their skills ahead of the marquee tournament. With the tournament coming close, all eyes are on the wickets which will be on offer. While many thinks most of the wickets are likely to help the batsmen, Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan feels spinners will be the defining factor in England.
Meanwhile, Shakib is currently in India playing the Indian Premier League with the Sunrisers Hyderabad. Although he has got limited opportunities, Shakib Al Hasan is keen to make the chances count. So far he has played only two of Sunrisers Hyderabad’s ten games. And now that, Jonny Bairstow has left, he might get some opportunities.
But Shakib Al Hasan added that he is putting the extra yard in the training which he would have done with the Bangladesh team. The veteran all-rounder will join the Bangladesh squad on May 1.
“I am doing everything that I could do to prepare myself for the World Cup,” Shakib said to CricketCountry. I need to play a few more matches which would be helpful for me, but I am giving my best as far as the preparations are concerned. I can train back in Bangladesh, but I am doing the same training here in the IPL,” he added.
Spinners will play a big part
The wickets in England have witnessed a drastic change over the years. The pitches have become more batting friendly and the strips will be dry which will bring the spinners into play. Shakib Al Hasan feels the spin bowlers will be the deciding factor in the tournament especially at the latter half of the tournament.
“Spin will play an important role because of the formation of the tournament. It’s a long tournament, some matches are in England, so it’s going to get dry, spinners will play a big part in the World Cup, especially in the later part of the tournament,” Shakib added.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh will play a tri-series in Ireland involving Windies starting from May 7 to prepare for the showpiece event. The Tigers will begin their World Cup campaign on June 2 against South Africa at the Oval.