Shakib’s plan to improve Test toughness
'We were not as tough as we could have been', was the remark made by skipper Shakib Al Hasan when asked on the team's game awareness during the Windies Tests. Shakib had taken the reigns of the team just ahead of the tour of West Indies. Bangladesh lost both Tests to lose the series 2-0 and Shakib felt his team did not show the character they could have shown given their abilities.
"What I have felt in these past two Tests, is that the character we could have shown or the capability we have [to show character], how tough we could have been, we did not show that character or toughness.
That was disappointing," the Test skipper said at the press conference yesterday following the 10-wicket loss at St Lucia.
Shakib rued the fact that the pipeline basically does not have anymore players which can improve the side. Thus, the Test team will have to come up with a plan which they can execute together. He suggested a change in thought process was required to bring improvement.
"We have to improve in every department if we want to do well in Tests. Those who want to play Tests, will have to improve from their own positions. No way to do something well without improvement. No such set of players are there who will do well if brought into the side. Those that are here and maybe two to four outside, if we can plan together and go forward, then we can do something good. Or else, what has happened till now, not much chance of change is there. We have to bring change in quite a few areas and for that there need change in our thought process. So there is work to be done on those areas."
He said the team and the management will have to have a thorough discussion on how to go about Tests. He prescribed focusing on not losing at home as their first priority. Bangladesh's next Test series is at home to India in December.
"Since there is five months' time, so everyone will have to sit down, discuss, think and then agree on a decision and go forward. If we can do that, then I think then in one to one and a half years, we can get results consistently. I won't say we have to win Tests. Since whenever a country goes for an away tour, they are underdog. Now New Zealand are World Champions but they lose away series too. England lost in West Indies too. Australia loses away from home and India too. Other countries lose in India.
"What we need to improve in making sure we do not lose at home. Either we draw or we win. If we can do that, it will take us quite far in performing away from home too. Although we may not win then, but we will be able to play competitive cricket. It's very important we play to a very good plan at home and make sure that we win or at the very least get a draw.," Shakib said.
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