'Australia will get us back into rhythm'
Ace Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan remained hopeful that Australia would tour the country for the scheduled two-match Test series in August-September, stressing the importance of that tour for the Tigers' busy upcoming schedule.
"I hope that Australia come because we had a nice gap and now our season will start. Before going to South Africa the Australia series is very important. If they don't come, then going to South Africa and playing after such a gap will be very difficult," the left-hander told reporters while leaving the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium yesterday.
"It's not that Australia coming here will make that tour easier but we will get back into our rhythm and set up the atmosphere. I hope they will come and it will be an enjoyable series," he continued, adding that he hoped Bangladesh could do even better than the years before 2017.
The 30-year-old is scheduled to play in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) for the Jamaica Tallawahs and he said that he would leave as soon as he receives his passport, which is being processed. Speaking about the tournament, Shakib said that it was much easier to find a playing spot in the eleven there as opposed to the Indian Premier League (IPL).
"In the IPL every team has 10 overseas players so the competition for those four overseas player slots in the team is very tough. Sometimes you can do well but not get a chance in the next game. But in the CPL and Pakistan Super League the team is more or less fixed.
"So in these leagues I know I will play but in the IPL there is an uncertainty. I don't feel any other difference because the atmosphere everywhere is very nice. And there are quality players in all leagues."
The T20 captain added that the conversations about the Tigers were now very different to those in the past, with people asking what has led to their incredible rise in the international circuit.
"Now the conversations are very different. People ask about different players and how we have done so well as a team and improved so much. They ask a lot of questions and we regularly talk about Bangladesh cricket. And we can also talk like that because now we feel like we are players from a big team," a beaming Shakib said.
He went on to say that he had always enjoyed cricket whether it was at home or in any other league, but conceded that the Caribbean had a different vibe.
"The atmosphere is different to all other tournaments so I enjoy it a lot. The places are very beautiful and nobody takes it too seriously. Of course it's serious on the field but off it everyone likes to be relaxed," he concluded.
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