‘Do not count all those domestic games I played’
Premier all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan made his return to Bangladesh colors today against the West Indies in their first ODI for the first time since being handed a year-long ban by ICC in October, 2019. And on his return, the champion all-rounder impressed with the ball -- bagging four for eight in his 7.2 overs and the player-of-the-match award for his effort.
Shakib had however played a number of domestic games before being reinstated in the international arena. The 33-year-old was part of a star-studded Gemcon Khulna that won the Bangabandhu T20 Cup, arranged by the BCB as a way to get competitive cricket back in the country following the coronavirus-induced halt, in December last year.
Shakib was decent with his bowling in that domestic tournament but the premier allrounder struggled to get runs just as he did today during his slow-paced 43-ball 19. Shakib scored a total of 110 runs in nine games at an average of 12.22 in the Bangabandhu T20 Cup.
But to Shakib, performances of those domestic games do not have much value.
"To be honest, I do not count all those domestic games I played. Outside the dressing room, people might think about those things but I do not. This is the important match. And yes, I got out but I should have finished the innings," said Shakib at the post-match press conference today.
Shakib also thought that this win would help everyone in the Tigers' dressing room to calm themselves down before the next game.
"We were all a bit nervous playing after such a long time, but this [win] will calm us down for the next game," concluded Shakib.
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