Tigers leave with prayers for Shakib
The Bangladesh T20I squad for the India tour, led by Mahmudullah Riyad, reached New Delhi at 5:00pm local time (5:30pm BST) yesterday, ahead of their first multi-format series against India in their backyard. The Tigers will play a three-match T20I series, starting from November 3, before playing a two-match Test series.
Prior to the crucial series, Bangladesh cricket was thrown into turmoil with a cricketers’ protest which left the series in jeopardy at one point. But what had happened on Tuesday -- premier all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan being banned by the ICC for two years, with one of those years suspended -- left everyone shocked.
Mushfiqur Rahim sought everyone’s prayers for the team and suspended all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan. Photo: Firoz Ahmed/BCB
The Shakib issue was on the back of the players’ mind too, who went on tour without their regular captain. Mahmudullah, who was named T20I captain at the eleventh hour by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), also admitted that the troops would miss the number one all-rounder.
“We all know how big a player he [Shakib] is and how important he is to the team. He might have made a mistake but he did not commit any crime. He has all of our support. We all love Shakib and we will continue to do so,” Mahmudullah told media before leaving Dhaka yesterday.
However, Mahmudullah said that the Tiger would give their all to get the best results on tour.
“I will try my best to fulfil my duties as captain. Yes, they [India] are a very good team. But if we can give our best as a team and make the small chances count, then it is possible [to do something good],” said Mahmudullah.
Bangladesh wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim echoed similar sentiments.
“No one can replace Shakib. We will definitely miss Shakib as he is our number one player. It is really difficult to play without Shakib. But it’s a good opportunity for players who came into the team as replacements. It could have been that Shakib was out for a year due to injury and we are taking it like that.”
Soumya Sarkar and Shaiful Islam arrive at the team hotel. Before leaving, Photo: Firoz Ahmed/BCB
Mushfiqur, who sought everyone’s prayers for himself and Shakib, opined that the bigger the challenge is, the more the urge to do well. It still remains to be seen how a Shakib-less Bangladesh fare against a strong India, especially in light of all the things that the team had endured in the past few days.
“We will be playing against the number one [Test] side and so it will be a challenge. And when there is a challenge, there always remains an urge to do well. We are seeking everyone’s prayers. Not only for me but also for Shakib so that he can come back with a stronger mentality. I hope that everyone will stay by his side.”
