Former Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan opened up about the stinging series defeat to the USA, describing it as “very disappointing” and a significant “wake-up call” in the lead-up to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. The unexpected failure has prompted considerable introspection within the Bangladesh team, which now finds itself trailing 2-0 in a three-match series. The third and final fixture, set for May 25 at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas, Texas, becomes a crucial game for Bangladesh to salvage their pride.
“The series loss is certainly disappointing,” Shakib commented in an interview with Cricbuzz. “We didn’t anticipate this result, but we must give credit to the USA team for the way they have played. I think no one expected that we would lose two games. Any match you lose as a team is disappointing because you don’t want to lose, and obviously, it is very disappointing. But having said that, we must play the World Cup, and this series might serve as a wake-up call for us as we haven’t played the way we want to play.”
Highlighting the collective spirit needed in cricket, Shakib emphasized that responsibility lies with the entire team. “It’s a team game, and everyone has to take the responsibility. You win as a team, and you lose as a team. I don’t want to blame any particular person or department. T20 is such a format where you have to excel in all three departments to win against any team. There are no small or big teams in T20 cricket, and that’s why it is more exciting than any other format. The last two games are proof of how well the USA played.”
Shakib went on to clarify that underestimating their opponents was not the issue; rather, it was a failure to execute their game plans that led to the losses. “I don’t think we took them lightly. In the first game, maybe we couldn’t do what we wanted, and in the second game, the same thing happened—we couldn’t execute our plans on the ground.
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The recent defeats have magnified the unpredictability and competitive nature of T20 cricket, a format where upsets are far from uncommon. “In T20, every team is very much equal,” Shakib noted. “I have seen games between West Indies A and Nepal where they really played well. Ireland and the Netherlands are playing very close matches, and Pakistan lost to Ireland. In T20, it is anybody’s game.”
“It is about who performs better on the day,” he continued, emphasizing the fine margins that often determine outcomes in the format. “You cannot take anything lightly in T20 cricket because one or two overs can change the momentum and completely alter the scenario of the game. You are always up for challenges and cannot take anything lightly or for granted.”
Related to this theme of intense competition in T20 cricket, Shakib’s remarks echo the sentiment of analysts and players worldwide who recognize the format’s inherent unpredictability. For instance, Ali Khan, a key player in the USA team, has warned top teams like India, Pakistan, and Ireland not to underestimate his side following their series win.
Furthermore, the global attention is now shifting towards the upcoming T20 World Cup, where a star-studded commentary panel featuring Dinesh Karthik and Steve Smith has been announced, adding to the anticipation of a thrilling tournament. Meanwhile, Pakistan has revealed its squad for the T20 World Cup 2024, including experienced players like Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim, underscoring the high stakes and competitive spirit expected at the event.
As Bangladesh gears up for the final game of the series against the USA, the focus will undoubtedly be on rectifying their mistakes and building momentum ahead of the World Cup. The lessons learned from this series, Shakib hopes, will fortify the team’s resolve and improve their performance when the global tournament commences.
In summary, the unexpected series loss to the USA is a moment of reckoning for Bangladesh cricket. Shakib Al Hasan’s candid assessment captures the urgency and necessity for the team to elevate its game. As the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup approaches, this “wake-up call” might just be what the team needs to fine-tune their strategies and compete at the highest level.
