Bangladesh pin hopes on Shakib in second Test against Pakistan

Dhaka, May 5: Captain Mushfiqur Rahim thinks if Bangladesh are to do well in the second Test against Pakistan, ace allrounder Shakib Al Hasan will have to fire on all cylinders.

The second Test starts at the Sher-e-Bangla tiol Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Wednesday.

Shakib was ordiry with the ball in the first Test at Khul conceding 146 runs for one wicket in his 37 overs. His figures was symptomatic of Bangladesh’s bowling frailties in the Pakistan innings as the tourists went on to amass 628.

He contributed 25 and 76 not out with the bat as Bangladesh launched a spectacular fightback to earn their first draw against Pakistan.

Despite admitting to concerns over Shakib’s bowling, Mushfiq has backed the top Test allrounder.

“As he is the team’s best bowler, (we expect) Shakib will take five or six wickets. When he picks up one or two, we think maybe it’s below his standards,” said Mushfiqur in the pre-match press conference here on Tuesday.

Shakib has been consistently successful in Mirpur with both bat and ball. Mushfiq believes he will show his true colours at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium.

“Shakib has a great record in Mirpur. If he can do what he has done before in (Wednesday’s) Test, it will be very good for us. I am looking up to him,” he said.

“If he does well with bat and ball, this Test will come our way.”

Shakib is the most successful cricketer at this ground and is on the verge of becoming the first batsman to score 1,000 runs at the venue. The 28-year old has scored 956 runs in 23 innings in 12 Tests at an average of 43.45 with a hundred and six half-centuries. IANS