'Relaxed Shakib gets the best out of us'

Shakib Al Hasan led Dhaka Dynamites to the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) title last season and his star-studded side are once again on a mission for a repeat in the fifth edition of the BPL.

Despite losing their tournament opener to Sylhet Sixers, they staged a turnaround, winning their next two games including an eight-wicket thrashing of Sylhet in the opening fixture of the Dhaka leg.

With the likes of Kumar Sangakkara, Shahid Afridi, Kieron Pollard, Sunil Narine featuring in the squad, it could be a challenge for the all-rounder to captain the team, especially in the face of expectations to do well and display leadership qualities.

However, according to the Dynamites West Indian spinner Narine, who participates in T20 leagues the world over, Shakib has those qualities that define a proactive leader.

"Yeah I think when you have a star-studded team it can be a challenge at times but I think he is doing a good job. He is letting all the individuals do what they have to to build on their strengths and I think he is a relaxed captain and gets the best out of his players," Narine told reporters ahead of today's game against Khulna Titans at the National Academy ground in Mirpur yesterday.

The 29-year-old became just the third bowler to cross the 300-wicket landmark in T20s when he claimed three Sylhet wickets on Saturday. Narine, who is the first spinner ever to achieve this feat, also added that he looks forward to more personal milestones in the coming days.

"In cricket, I mean you always want to do good and doing good and getting achievements at the end of the day by itself is a lot. It says that you are working on your game and focusing a lot and hopefully there will be more achievements in the future and I am taking it step by step, game by game," he said.

Asked whether it is challenging to perform in a team featuring Afridi and Shakib, Narine informed that it makes the job easier.

"I think the quality bowlers we have actually makes things easier. I think it's less pressure on one individual so that makes it a good team effort. If you don't do well there's someone to fill the gap and do it for the team," said Narine.