“That’s a brave question, Masha Allah!” Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain bluntly expressed his surprise when asked if he felt the strain of carrying an out-of-form Shakib Al Hasan in the Test team. Shakib’s lackluster performance in the series opener has stirred discussions about his fitness and effectiveness in the current squad. Cricket pundits and fans alike have observed that Shakib’s body appears to be struggling to meet the rigorous demands of five-day cricket, especially at his age.
In the first Test, Shakib, undeniably one of Bangladesh’s key players, dropped a catch and failed to take any wickets in his 21 overs. His contribution with the bat was also underwhelming, scoring only 32 and 25 runs in the respective innings, never truly displaying his usual dominance. Adding to the speculation, Shakib was seen chewing on his helmet strap while batting, which stirred further curiosity and was later clarified by Bangladesh batting coach David Hemp as nothing alarming.
The veteran bowler’s delayed introduction into the attack—only after 50 overs in the first innings—raised further questions among cricket enthusiasts, attributing it to a speculated finger injury. Yet, captain Najmul Hossain Shanto vigorously defended Shakib, dismissing any potential controversial questions and reinforcing the veteran player’s value to the team.
“As a captain, honestly, I look at how much hard work a player is putting into his game,” Najmul articulated to reporters in the post-match press conference. “Whether he is struggling to make a comeback, what’s important for me is their intention towards the team and how much they are willing to give to the team.”
Najmul emphasized that his assessment of players does not hinge solely on their current form or statistics. “I try to look at everyone in the same way, whether it is from Nahid Rana to Mushfiq bhai. More than whether he is scoring runs or not, I consider his preparation and mindset towards the team,” he stated.
Expounding on his strategy and decisions, Najmul explained, “I didn’t really need him (Shakib) in the first innings, seeing how the three pace bowlers were performing. Miraz too was bowling well. It was my plan to keep the fast bowlers on for longer, and we took six wickets quickly.”
Addressing Shakib’s injury, he added, “His finger was taped and bleeding from a previous hit. I don’t feel comfortable talking about a player’s individual performance. This is a team game, and it’s the collective effort that makes it possible to win.”
Najmul also discussed the broader team performance, indicating that individual performance wasn’t his primary concern, but rather the collective execution.
. “Overall, we should have all contributed more. I am not worried about individual performances,” he reiterated.
He also dismissed the notion that the type of cricket ball used could be blamed for their underwhelming performance. “Bangladesh, who are more accustomed to playing with Kookaburra balls, were bundled out for 149 runs in their first innings and managed only 284 in their second innings in pursuit of 515,” Najmul said. “However, 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.”
Reflecting on their overall performance in the Test match, Najmul expressed, “We didn’t bat well in the first innings. It was a very important phase of the game, and we could have been in a better position if we had managed at least one top-order partnership.”
On learning from the game, Najmul conveyed its significance for future matches. “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. Moving forward, all the batters believe they can come back stronger in the next Test.”
“It is crucial to spend time at the wicket, but our efforts were insufficient this time. Nonetheless, it will be beneficial for the second Test. The openers putting on 62 runs was a positive takeaway for us. That’s something to look forward to in the next Test match,” Najmul concluded.
The captain’s forthright defense of Shakib Al Hasan underscores a broader perspective on team dynamics, focusing on preparation, intent, and collective effort over isolated performances. As Bangladesh looks forward to the next Test, the team’s adaptability and mindset will be crucial in overcoming the challenges faced in the opener.