“That’s a brave question, Masha Allah!” Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain didn’t hesitate to show his astonishment when asked if he is feeling the pressure of supporting an underperforming Shakib Al Hasan in the Test team. Shakib’s lackluster performance in the series opener has become a hot topic, raising questions about his fitness and readiness for the rigors of five-day cricket.
Experts and pundits are expressing concerns that Shakib’s body might not be able to withstand the demands of Test cricket, especially considering his age. In the first Test, Shakib’s performance was notably below par. He failed to take any wickets in the 21 overs he bowled and also dropped a crucial catch. Moreover, his batting left much to be desired as he only managed scores of 32 and 25, never once looking like the dominant player he once was.
A particularly unusual moment that sparked further discussion was Shakib’s habit of chewing his helmet strap while batting. This peculiar behavior was later clarified by Bangladesh’s batting coach David Hemp in an interview with Cricbuzz. Despite being a seasoned bowler in spin-friendly conditions, Shakib was introduced into the attack after 50 overs in the first innings, raising eyebrows and leading to speculation about a hidden finger injury.
However, Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto was quick to defend his senior teammate, fending off any potentially controversial questions. “As a captain, honestly, I look at how much hard work a player is putting into his game,” Najmul said during the post-match press conference on Sunday. “Whether he is struggling enough to make a comeback, what is their intention towards the team and how much he is willing to give to the team,” he added.
Najmul emphasized that he assesses all players with the same critical eye, regardless of their performance metrics. “Some people might think that I am saying it because the question is about Shakib bhai. I try to look at everyone in the same way, whether it is Nahid Rana or Mushfiq bhai. More than whether he is scoring runs or not, I look at how he is preparing. What is his thinking about the team? I am happy with the way every member of this Test squad has prepared and been willing to give to the team,” Najmul commented.
The captain further explained his tactical decisions during the game, citing the strong performance of pace bowlers and another spinner, Miraz, as reasons for delaying Shakib’s introduction. “I didn’t really need him [Shakib] in the first innings, seeing how the three pace bowlers were doing. Miraz too was bowling well. It was my plan to keep the fast bowlers on for longer. We took six wickets quickly too,” he explained.
Addressing the concerns over Shakib’s speculated injury, Najmul said, “His finger was taped.
. He was bleeding from his finger from the last time he was hit there. I don’t feel comfortable talking about a player’s individual performance. This is a team game, and only a whole team’s contribution makes it possible to win a game.”
Najmul stressed the importance of collective effort rather than focusing on the shortcomings of individual players. “Overall, we should have all contributed more. I am not worried about individual performances,” he asserted. Looking ahead, Najmul dismissed the notion that their failure could be blamed on the type of ball used—the SG ball, which the team is less familiar with compared to the Kookaburra balls.
Bangladesh struggled in both innings, being bowled out for 149 runs in the first innings and only managing 284 in the second while chasing a target of 515. “I don’t think the ball was a big issue. It is just a ball. There’s obviously a difference between Kookaburra and SG balls, but the players adjusted to it. We can’t say that we played poorly because of the type of ball,” Najmul clarified.
Reflecting on their batting performance, Najmul said, “We didn’t bat well in the first innings. It was a very important phase of the game. We could have been in a better position if we had at least one top-order partnership. In terms of learning from this game, I think it is very important that the top order, especially in the first innings, should have been more careful. We need to put some runs on the board.”
Despite the setback, Najmul remains optimistic about the team’s future performances. “Going forward, all the batters think that they can come back in the next Test. It is important to spend time at the wicket, but it wasn’t enough. Still, it will help for the second Test. It was very important for the openers to put on 62 runs. That’s one thing we can look forward to in the next Test match,” he concluded.