What Shanta said on the question of Shakib's exclusion from the team
September 22, 20243 Mins Read
Sports Desk: The question came up. Shakib Al Hasan came up as expected in Tiger captain Nazmul Hussain Shanter's post-match press conference in Chennai after losing by a record margin against India. The question arose today, how much more will the team pull the faded Shakib! Shanta avoided the tactful reply.

Sakib-Santo

Shakib is not able to bat properly due to eye problems. The same edge was not seen in bowling in the first Test against India. Chennai did not get any wickets in two innings. He even came to bowl in the 53rd over in the first innings. In addition to the fans, the commentary box has also criticized Shakib in the last few days.

On the question of Shakib's exclusion from the XI, the Tiger captain calmed down and laughed at the moment, 'Very brave question! Masha'Allah!' Tiger then went on to tactfully sidestep the all-rounder's off-field performance, 'What I see as a captain is not just saying 'Shakib bhai', I see who is struggling and doing what is needed to make a comeback, whether he is doing the work or not, the team. What is each intention? I take care of these things. I try, how much that cricketer is ready to give to the team, hundred percent or not.'

Even if it is only about Shakib that it applies to the whole team, Shanta also mentioned, 'Many people may think, I am saying seeing Shakib brother. But not like this. From Nahid Rana to Mushfiq Bhai, I try to see the same thing for everyone. Not that it runs or doesn't run. I think it is more important than that, how is his preparation, how is his thinking towards the team, whether he is preparing accordingly to give something good to the team or not. I am happy to see these things, I am happy with the 15-16 cricketers in the team.'

During the Chennai Test, it was known that Shakib has a finger injury. Commentator and former Indian spinner Murali Karthik reported on Shakib's injury. Shanta talked about the Tiger all-rounder's finger injury.

He said, 'The thing about the finger is actually hitting a ball in the glove while batting which you may have seen. That is why the tap is twisted. I'm never really comfortable with a player's individual performance. Because the game is a team game. It is possible to win a match with the contribution of the whole team. If we all contributed as a team maybe something could have been better. So I am not too worried about individual performance.'

Explaining why Shakib bowled late in the first innings, he calmly said, 'What Shakib said about his brother's bowling, the 3 pacers bowled very well in the first innings. I didn't need to bring him to the bowling. Mirage was bowling well from one side. It was a plan as much as we could get the pacers to bowl. We took the first 6 wickets very quickly. So this was the plan.'