Shakib asks batters to take leaf out of Nurul’s book

Bangladesh Test captain Shakib Al Hasan said the batting performance in the first innings where his side were bowled out for just 103 in 32.5 inside just more than one session, was 'not acceptable'. He said the other batters in the side can take a leaf out of Nurul Hasan Sohan's book on how to apply themselves in tough situations.

Bangladesh were bowled out for 53 and 80 runs in South Africa where there batting effort was calamitous against spin. Then against Sri Lanka at home, when they found a flat wicket at Chattogram, they looked back in touch. Then in Dhaka, where there was a little help for seamers, Bangladesh came up with a familiar look with the bat as top-order collapse in both innings of the Dhaka Test led to them losing the series.

Shakib was handed the captaincy following the Sri Lanka series, but has not been able to solve the side's batting issue just yet. Bangladesh top-order once again collapsed in both innings of the Antigua Test as the hosts picked up a seven-wicket win.

Asked at the post-match presentations on the batting effort in the first innings, Shakib said it was unacceptable.

"It's not acceptable and we have been doing it quite regularly now in Tests. The last four or five Tests we have played, we have done that pretty regularly. It's not acceptable. Batsmen need to stay in the wicket and score runs and that's how at least survive the Test match and then bowlers will win you the match. That's a simple equation that we need to work on and get better at it," Shakib said today.

Despite the lack of application from other batters, Shakib himself picked up fifties in both innings. His 123-run stand with Nurul Hasan minimised the margin of defeat in the end. Nurul came in at a tough situation when the top and middle-order had already crumbled. He applied himself better than most and Shakib praised the wicket-keeper's determination under pressure.

"I think there was a lot to be learned from that innings. Nurul played really well and he was under pressure. I won't say he wasn't under pressure but the way he applied himself showed a lot of character and what he is capable of. I think our other batsmen can take the challenge that Nurul took. They can take the same approach and play some good cricket in next match," Shakib said on Nurul.

Shakib, who scored half centuries in each innings of a Test for the fourth time and the second time against West Indies, said that his idea was to keep things simple and play his natural game.

"I was positive in my batting. I wasn't thinking the ball will do this or that. I kept my game simple. If it's there to hit, I will do so or else I will survive. That was the simple game plan that always worked for me and that's how I was successful, so I am not changing that," he concluded.