That there aren’t players outside the big-five was proven wrong: Shakib

At times, the said big-five of Bangladesh cricket get more focus and media attention than the team itself. 

While hailing the big-five of Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Tamim Iqbal, Mahmudullah Riyad and Mashrafe Bin Mortaza is well merited given the success that these stalwarts got for Bangladesh, it also provides an impression that the other cricketers are only there for the sake of forming an eleven. 

Needless to say that it also creates an unwarranted pressure on those five for performing in every game.   

But such a perceived notion has always irked premier all-rounder Shakib. The 34-year-old once again pointed out that there are, in fact, more than just the said five or six players in the Bangladesh side and the Tigers' historic Test triumph against New Zealand is definitive proof of that.  

"As the media always thinks, there aren't any players except the five or four of us. This was proven wrong [when Bangladesh beat New Zealand in the first Test]," said Shakib after being announced as a brand ambassador for a phone company in the capital today. 

The fairly inexperienced Bangladesh side, who went to New Zealand on the back of a string of defeats and probably with not even a handful considering them to stand a chance against the World Test champions, now lead the two-match series 1-0. 

That was only possible due to the cohesion of the Bangladesh side, who only had one of the stalwarts -- Mushfiqur Rahim -- available for the Kiwi tour. 

And reiterating what he had always said, Shakib urged for the responsibilities to be shared among the other members of the team.
 
"If they are given responsibilities like they were in that game, I think all the other players would do even better in the future," added Shakib. 

The all-rounder, who had opted out of the New Zealand tour for family reasons, was also delighted with the way Bangladesh started the new year. 

"The way the year [2022] started is unbelievable. I am extremely happy. And all the credit goes to all the players, coaching staff and members of the Bangladesh side. 
 
"We went through a rough period last year. This year will be a challenge for us. Now that we have got a very good start, I hope that we will only be able to do better things this year," Shakib added.