ICC T20 World Cup 2021: Shakib Al Hasan Available For Scotland Match, States Mahmudullah

Bangladesh T20I skipper Mahmudullah confirmed that star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan is available for the opening game against Scotland.

Bangladesh are paired in Group B along with hosts Oman, Scotland and Papua New Guinea in the qualifiers stage.

The Tigers will start their ICC T20 World Cup campaign against Scotland on Sunday in Al Amerat, Oman.

Shakib Al Hasan is probably a bit tired after coming back from IPL: Mahmudullah

Shakib was part of the Kolkata Knight Riders’ team that lost to Chennai Super Kings in the IPL 2021 final on October 15 in Dubai.

Shakib, who scored 47 runs and picked four wickets for KKR in eight matches in IPL 2021, is back with his national team but exhausted from the outings and travel.

”Shakib is available. Probably he is a bit tired after coming back from the IPL but he is there with us,” Mahmudullah said in a virtual press conference.

Bangladesh lost to Ireland in their final warm-up match on October 14 before the qualifiers.

Mahmudullah said that he is not bothered about the results of practice matches and is looking forward to the Scotland game.

“I am not bothered what others are saying and I feel as a team we have the ability. We are not bothered about the practice games as we missed few players and now we know what we have to do,” Mahmuduallah mentioned ahead of their game against Scotland.

”We will play hard cricket and if we can play to our potential result will take care of itself. We have to cross a few barriers and we want to go step by step and I hope if we can play good cricket tomorrow we can go a long way.”

We are not concerned about Mushfiqur Rahim’s batting form: Mahmudullah

Bangladesh’s senior batsman Mushfiqur Rahim has registered scores of 13, 4 and 0 in the last three practice matches fot Bangladesh.

Mushfiqur didn’t had a great T20I series against New Zealand at home as the 34-year-old player could amass only 39 runs from five innings at an average of 13.

Mahmudullah backed Mushfiqur and said he is not concerned about his senior batter’s form and it will take a matter of time to change it.

“We are not concerned about Mushfiqur form and he will come back. He just needs one good innings to regain his form and it might be tomorrow. We all know about his capability and we fully back him,” Mahmudullah mentioned.

Bangladesh will be playing their next fixtures against Oman (October 19) and Papua New Guinea (October 21) at Al Amerat Cricket Ground (Ministry Turf 1).

Also Read: T20 World Cup 2021: Mahmudullah Ruled Out Of Bangladesh’s First Warm-Up Game Due To Back Pain