Najmul Shanto defends Shakib Al Hasan's performance amid fitness concerns
What's the story
Bangladesh cricket team captain, Najmul Hossain Shanto, has defended all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan's performance in the just concluded first Test versus India.
This comes after questions were raised about Shakib's fitness and ability to handle the rigors of five-day cricket.
In the Chennai Test, Shakib failed to take a solitary wicket in his 21 overs across both innings. Meanwhile, he managed scores worth 32 and 25 with the bat.
Here are further details.
Captain's perspective
Shanto evaluates players based on their hard work
Shanto emphasized that he evaluates players based on their dedication and effort, rather than just their performance.
"As a captain, honestly, I look at how much hard work a player is putting into his game," he told reporters at the post-match press conference.
He further added that what matters to him is the player's intention toward the team and how much they are willing to give.
Game plan
Shanto's strategy in the 1st Test
Shanto revealed that his strategy in the first Test was to rely on pace bowlers, which is why Shakib was introduced into the attack after 50 overs.
"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," he explained.
Team focus
Shanto refrains from discussing individual performances
Shanto also refrained from discussing individual performances, stating that cricket is a team game and it's the collective effort that leads to victory.
"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," he said.
He further added that everyone should have contributed more and he is not worried about individual performances.
Performance
Shakib failed to bowl a single maiden over versus India
Shakib bowled eight overs in the first innings, conceding 50 runs (ER: 6.20). He scored a 64-ball 32 with the bat thereafter in Bangladesh's score of 149.
Shakib then bowled 13 overs, giving away 79 runs. Notably, he failed to bowl a single maiden across two innings.
During Bangladesh's chase, Shakib managed 25 runs from 56 balls.