India managed to pull off a thrilling one-run win over Bangladesh in the Super 10 game in the recently concluded World T20. India’s much-vaunted batting line-up struggled on a slow and sluggish track as they managed an unimpressive 146/7 against a disciplined Bangladesh attack.
Bangladesh had the match in the bag but then Mushfiqur and Mahmudullah absolutely gifted it away in the final over. Bangladesh needed just 2 from 3 balls, they should have ended India’s World Cup dreams right there but instead both the batsmen found the fielders. And then Dhoni effected a run-out off the final delivery to give India a one-run win.
Arguably the greatest player from Bangladesh and one of the best all-rounders of the world Shakib al Hasan has said that the loss still hurts them.
“I don’t think we, as a team or as a nation, can forget that game ever. I hope that some day, we play a match like that against India and win it so that we can forget that game. But, it still keeps coming back,” he said in an interview with a leading sports website.
Shakib, who is playing his trade for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL, said that the loss was completely baffling for them. He said that his team failed to adjust to the situation which led them to the opposite side of the result.
“It’s difficult to explain what happened. Chasing is always difficult and tension played a big role,” he starts. “Those who are good at chasing, they always plan well. We can’t just keep focusing on the scoreboard because it builds additional pressure.
“We should have approached it the same way we would have while batting first. I feel that’s the better plan. Yes, the target and the overs reaming are always there at the back of the mind. Once you get into a good position, then you can adjust and time the chase well. We didn’t do that.”
The all-rounder has now been part of the Kolkata Knight Riders franchise for six years. With 490 runs at a strike rate of 132.07 and 42 wickets in the 41 games, he has played so far, he has been a valuable asset for the two-time IPL champions. And Shakib believes it’s the IPL that helped him improve as a cricketer.
“It has been great, he gushes talking about the journey with the Knight Riders. “It has been six years – I missed a few games due to international duty. I’ve enjoyed being part of this franchise. This opportunity came to me at a crucial time. This was needed. IPL, and playing for Kolkata, has helped me improve as a cricketer.
“The support staff has always been very helpful. Not just for me, but for everyone on the side. Whenever we need anything, they try to provide us with it. If you look at the support staff we have, there is Wasim Akram, Jacques Kallis, Simon Katich, Mark Boucher. They are all legends of the game. So obviously, you expect the best from them.”
Kolkata Knight Riders will play against Sunrisers Hyderabad in their last match and they need to win the match to ensure a playoff spot.However, Shakib’s compatriot Mustafizur Rahman, who is playing for Sunrisers, can be a thorn in the flesh for Kolkata.Talking about him, the all-rounder revealed:“We don’t have any plans as such but we’ll discuss him in the team meeting,” he says with a cheeky grin. “I obviously won’t reveal all his secrets. Ultimately he represents Bangladesh and I want him to keep doing well for the country. There’s so much of analysis now that in the end people will figure him out, but I’m not revealing any secrets at the moment.”