‘No team will take us lightly’ – Shakib Al Hasan on KKR’s confidence level in the UAE leg of IPL 2021

Kolkata Knight Riders all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan talked about how KKR have scripted a turnaround in the UAE after a lacklustre outing in the India leg of IPL 2021. When the tournament resumed last month, the Men in Gold and Purple were languishing at seventh in the points table. But in the UAE, the Knights have won six out of eight games and are two wins away from winning the trophy.

Shakib, who hit the winning runs for KKR in the Eliminator against Royal Challengers Bangalore on Monday, said that his team has gained confidence and thrived under pressure. The Magura-born also said that opponents won’t be complacent against them due to their stupendous run of late.

Shakib’s comments came prior to the KKR’s match in the Qualifier 2 against the Rishabh Pant-led Delhi Capitals on Wednesday, October 13 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

We have been overcoming all challenges, says Shakib Al Hasan

“The process we have been following so far, we will be following the same formula. Ever since we got to Abu Dhabi, or the UAE, we were in a knockout-mode and we have been overcoming all of those challenges one by one. A good thing about our team now is that the confidence level we are developing within the camp, no team will take us lightly,” Shakib told the KKR website.

In the Eliminator, Shakib came to bat at No.8 and scored an unbeaten six-ball nine when the Knights needed 13 runs at a run-a-ball. The Bangladesh cricketer said that playing at the highest level for over a decade and a half has groomed him to survive under pressure.

“Pressure is always going to be there. But as professional players, we end up learning how to cope with it. Because I’ve been playing for so long and been representing my national team for so long, I’ve developed an ability to handle this kind of pressure,” he said.

He also had words of praises for Sunil Narine, who picked up four wickets and played a cameo against RCB, thereby bagging the Player of the Match award.

“Sunil played extraordinary cricket yesterday. Both in batting and bowling. Yesterday was completely his day. I am very happy that his contribution won us the game,” Shakib added.