ZCZC
BSP-19
CRICKET-MASHRAFE-SHAKIB
Shakib to come with all guns blazing amid criticism: Mashrafe
DHAKA, May 7, 2019 (BSS)-Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza believes
that Shakib Al Hasan has got the mental strength to deal with all
difficulties and he would make his presence felt in the ongoing tri-nation as
well as in the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup.
Shakib has been at the receiving end since Bangladesh team was announced
and began their preparation at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on April
22.
The ace all-rounder received harsh criticism from different quarters for
not joining the national camp despite agreeing to do so a day after the camp
started.
Shakib, who recently recovered from a finger injury which prevented him
from joining the national team for the tour of New Zealand, was earlier
granted a no-objection certificate to make himself available for SRH, but the
presence of stalwarts like David Warner, Jonny Bairstow and Kane Williamson
only prevented him from getting selected in the playing eleven regularly.
While he was subject to criticism during his stay in IPL it seemed that
criticism started chasing him since his arrival to join the national team,
ahead of their tri-nation series in Ireland.
Bangladesh Cricket Board president Nazmul Hasan didn’t hide his
disappointment after being informed of Shakib’s absence at the team’s
official pre-World Cup photograph session.
Shakib arrived at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka to report to
the team management ahead of the tri-series in Ireland and the World Cup.
However, he left the field before the team gathered for the official photo
shoot despite being informed by the management that his presence was
required.
Later, BCB president Nazmul informed that Shakib was apologetic for his
action and added that the all-rounder informed him that he did not read the
message thoroughly where BCB informed him about the photo shoot affair.
Ahead of such a crucial international assignment such as World Cup when
the leading performer of the team is haunted by criticism one after another
certainly it turns out to be a matter of concern for the team management
considering whether he will be in the right frame of mind to give his full
effort.
According to Mashrafe Bin Mortaza he is confident that all these things
won’t have any impact on the performance of Shakib as he had given noteworthy
performances in difficult conditions.
“Cricket is a mental game and Shakib possess very strong mentally,”
Mashrafe told reporters ahead of the tri-nation.
“He has been playing in the international cricket for a long time now and
he can handle difficult situations very well” he said.
“How many days he missed practice or did he practice or not, it doesn’t
matter for a player like Shakib. It’s not a matter of worry for him. He knows
what he would have to do,” he added.
BSS/SMP/ARS/2033 hrs