Shakib on a power-hitting grind
Since returning from his ban last year, Shakib Al Hasan had been looking to find his groove in all three formats and although there have been struggles, there has also been successes. However, always feeling the need to keep ahead of the curve, Shakib had identified some areas that needed work.
During the home series against Australia and New Zealand last year, followed by the T20 World Cup in UAE, Shakib had gotten a few positive starts but failed to make hay. For batters, the power factor in T20s is of primary importance while it provides added confidence when shots come off. Ahead of the BPL 2020, Shakib zoned in and began work with long-time mentor Nazmul Abedeen Fahim, who is also the batting consultant of Shakib's Fortune Barishal team.
"Recently, he didn't look very comfortable playing over the top and we are trying to do some work so that his power hitting gets better and he can easily clear the ground," Fahim told The Daily Star on Saturday after working with Shakib individually.
The focus was on changing the stance and bat-swing to get optimum connection.
"We were discussing what areas of power hitting needed work and what can be done. If he does what he was doing before, it will be the same as before, so bringing some changes to his technique. Things are going well and we will see when the matches begin. What we were doing is not T20 specific but will help in with his overall batting effort. We have worked with footwork and his bat-swing," Fahim had said.
Even during the recently-concluded BCL, Shakib had lost his wicket trying to clear the field. Yesterday, Shakib went through the gears once again but was able to connect a few shots that looked better than his previous efforts. "When he batted at the centre wicket today, some deliveries went a good distance, so the connection was good. Hopefully with two- or three more-days' work, he will be able to get consistent. If he can play big shots at the top-end of the innings, it will be a big factor for us," Fahim told reporters after the session yesterday.
However, the slower nature of the pitches in Bangladesh is not wholly conducive to free T20 shot-playing. "Since the pitches are slow and have uneven bounce, he will have to be selective. It will be about putting loose deliveries away," Fahim told The Daily Star.
While most players find it difficult to adapt, Shakib's progress gives Barishal hope that the all-rounder can bring something new with the bat in the upcoming BPL.