BAN vs SL: More Than Fitness, Bangladesh Need To Look At Mental Side Of The Game - Shakib Al Hasan

Veteran all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan is as yet confident of Bangladesh figuring out how to control themselves to more secure waters in the second Test against Sri Lanka. The hosts ended up in an unstable situation at 34/4, behind by 107 runs at stumps on Day 4.

Bangladesh’s expectations of posting a draw presently lay on the shoulders of first innings centurions – Liton Das and Mushfiqur Rahim. Shakib himself is scheduled to bat next at No.7.

First Session Will Be Crucial: Shakib Al Hasan

”I think there is Mushfiq bhai and Liton in the middle, and if they can bat like they did in the first innings we have a chance,” Shakib told reporters at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Friday.

”When two batsmen get set on this wicket, then removing them is quite difficult. If you see their front-line bowlers are pacers and they can have a spell of maximum five to six overs. If we can survive that threat, life will be easy for us, because the bowlers will be tired while the ball will be old and the batsmen are set.

”I feel those who are batting, have to bat till lunch. Before lunch, if more than one wicket falls, it will be difficult, so the lunch time is important.”

Shakib likewise noticed that it was more about batting time on the last day and expected the remainder of the batting unit to show the necessary demeanor to bat through phases.

”Now, as far as the team is concerned, if I can bat for three hours rather than scoring a century that will be more helpful for the team. Not only me, all the six batsman need to perform because the situation is such that they will definitely attack in the first hour and we need to survive. The game is not over until it’s over.”

Bangladesh The Fittest Team In Test Cricket: Shakib Al Hasan

Shakib additionally said that more than fitness, Bangladesh’s players need to take a gander at the psychological side of things to work on their performance in Test cricket.

”The situation is difficult. The wicket is not that difficult but when you have been in the field for two or two-and-a-half days, bowling 160-170 overs in the second innings, then it’s difficult on the fourth day. The players are maybe a little tired since it looks like both Tests are going to the end of the fifth day.

”We are perhaps the fittest team in Test cricket because we field the most in Test cricket. We are fit physically but mentally we are a bit behind and we need to work on it.

”You see, we fielded for nearly 450 overs (409) in three innings, and Mushfiqur and Liton scored over 140 and 150 runs respectively, so we are physically fit but have a mental problem,” he reckoned.

We Have Not Handled Pressure Well: Shakib Al Hasan

Indeed, even in the as of late closed Test series in South Africa, Bangladesh badly fell two times in the second innings, scoring just 53 and 80 respectively.

”It’s difficult for top-order batters in this situation. We haven’t been able to handle that pressure and Bangladesh have been going through this problem for a while (collapsing under pressure). When I wasn’t in the team, it happened, and now that I am here, it’s happening.

”We have failed in the second innings in the recent past. There was room for improvement and we failed today as well. However it’s not the end. It will not be okay to say everything ended before it did.”

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