T20 WC Qualifiers: There Is No Favourite In T20, Everyone Have To Play Well: Shakib Al Hasan After Oman Win

Veteran Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan admitted that losing to Scotland in the first game of ICC T20 WC qualifiers was disappointing for the team.

On Tuesday, Bangladesh stormed back to win against a gritty Oman by 26 runs.

Shakib scored a 29-ball 42 as he was involved in an 80-run stand with opener Mohammad Naim for the third wicket that cruised Bangladesh’s score to 153 in the first innings.

Despite being hit for few boundaries in his first two overs, Shakib managed to get the important wicket of Oman opener Jatinder Singh in the 13th over.

The Bangladesh talisman later picked two more wickets in his final over to end his spell with 3/28 and was adjudged as the player of the match.

I think the loss against Scotland was disappointing: Shakib Al Hasan

The former Bangladesh captain said the victory was relieving for his team after suffering a shocking loss to Scotland.

“I think the win is certainly relieving and I feel the atmosphere in the dressing room will be better after this win,” Shakib said in the presentation ceremony.

“I think the loss against Scotland was disappointing and we must credit them while even today we had to work hard to earn the win against Oman,” he added.

Oman were in a strong position when they had Jatinder and Kashyap Prajapati at the crease.

Prajapati was tonking Bangladesh’s ace bowler Mustafizur Rahman for sixes as he smacked a couple of them.

However, Mustafizur had the last laugh when he got the batsman to nick behind the stumps in the final over of the Powerplay.

With Oman requiring 84 to win from the last 10 overs, Bangladesh bowlers spoiled their party with regular wickets.

Mustafizur and Shakib shared seven wickets between them and not to forget off-spinner Mahedi Hasan, who bowled with an excellent economy rate of 3.5 to finish his four-over spell with 1/14.

Shakib appreciated all the associated nations for the fearless brand of cricket they have been displaying in the Qualifiers stage.

The Bangladesh all-rounder also said that there is no favourites in T20 cricket and a team has to give its best to produce a win.

“Look we must credit the associate countries as they play despite all the hurdles and they are playing good cricket so I feel they deserve all the credit. In T20 format there is no favourite as everyone have to play well and as this is a short format only one or two players can change the momentum or have a huge impact behind a win,” Shakib said.

I feel if we can beat Papua New Guinea: Shakib Al Hasan

Bangladesh’s win against Oman means that they have the chance to qualify in the Super 12 stage and only a victory against Papua New Guinea (PNG) will guarantee them a spot.

“I feel if we can beat PNG we will be through and after that we can say what we want to do next but first we have to qualify,” said Shakib.

“When we left the country we dreamt of achieving something big and we still hold on to that dream. If we had said that we have come here to lose every match would you have taken that well? Dreams cannot be changed every now and then,” Shakib concluded.

Bangladesh plays against PNG on Thursday (October 21) while Oman face Scotland in the final fixture of Group B.

Also Read: T20 World Cup 2021: Shakib Al Hasan Goes Past Lasith Malinga To Become Leading Wicket Taker In T20Is