Playing a few matches on these pitches can destroy any batsman's career: Shakib Al Hasan

Bangladesh ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has raised concerns over the wickets prepared for the recently concluded T20I series against Australia and New Zealand at home. The 22-yard strips produced a lot of turn and bounce for spinners and made life tough for batsmen to go for their shots.

Bangladesh defeated Australia by 4-1 in the T20I series and later went on to steamroll New Zealand by 3-2. Interestingly, all the games played in these two series were low-scoring affairs and experts raised questions over poor pitches with the T20 World Cup 2021 scheduled a few months away. 

“Those who played in these last 9-10 matches, are almost all in off-form. That is how the wickets are and no-one did that well. It’s better not to read too much into these performances. If any batsman plays 10-15 matches on these wickets, his career will be destroyed. Let us not read too much into these. Those who are in the team have the capability to win for the country. Everyone is doing his best from his own position,” Shakib told reporters during an event in Dhaka as quoted by The Daily Star.

We have built a winning mentality: Shakib Al Hasan

Bangladesh will have to play Qualifiers before making it to the Super 12 stage of the tournament. Tigers will start their T20 WC journey on the 17th of October against Scotland.

“Our team will be in Oman at least 15-16 days before the World Cup, which is enough time for acclimatising with conditions and wickets. I don’t think pitches and conditions here will have any impact over there. We have built a winning mentality, which will help us be confident in the World Cup,” Shakib added.

Mustafizur Rahman (Rajasthan Royals) and Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh) will spend time in the Indian Premier League 2021 UAE leg before making it to the T20 World Cup 2021 in Oman and UAE, starting on October 17, 2021. Shakib feels playing IPL before the marquee event will help them in figuring out the conditions.

“I am hopeful that the IPL will help everyone. We will be spending time in those conditions, play matches too. Mustafiz and I can share the experience with the rest of the team. We will understand the other players’ mindset, what they are thinking about the World Cup, and then report it back to our players,” Shakib concluded.