"...Living in fool's kingdom": Shakib Al Hasan doesn’t expect overnight transformation of Bangladesh’s T20 team

Shakib has been named Bangladesh's T20I skipper at least until the T20 World Cup.

By Salman Anjum - 21 Aug, 2022

Having returned as Bangladesh’s T20I captain last week, Shakib Al Hasan wants to be realistic as he doesn’t expect an overnight transformation of the team.

The star all-rounder has been named the skipper at least until the T20 World Cup in Australia later this year. His fresh stint will begin with the Asia Cup 2022, slated to be held in the UAE from August 27 to September 11.

"I have no goals. My only aim is that we can do well in the World Cup and these are the preparations for it,” Shakib was quoted as saying to the reporters in Dhaka.

"If someone thinks that I can change things within one or two days or someone else will come to change it, then we are living in a fool's kingdom. If you are able to think practically, our true development will be seen when the team really does well in the World Cup in three months' time,” he stated.

The Asia Cup 2022 will be played in a T20I format. Bangladesh had finished as the runner-up when the multi-nation tournament was last played in the shortest format back in 2016.

"See, we first played this type of version (format) in 2006. Since then, we have not had good results, except in the Asia Cup final. We are far behind in this version from that point, so we have no choice but to make a new start.

"When a baby starts walking [the first] steps are very difficult, but gradually things become easier and I hope that we will also be able to start walking step by step like a baby and then move forward," Shakib added.

Bangladesh will open their Asia Cup 2022 campaign against Afghanistan on August 30 in Sharjah.

Bangladesh Squad for Asia Cup 2022:

Shakib Al Hasan (c), Anamul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Afif Hossain, Mosaddek Hossain, Mahmudullah, Mahedi Hasan, Mohammad Saifuddin, Hasan Mahmud, Mustafizur Rahman, Nasum Ahmed, Sabbir Rahman, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Ebadot Hossain, Parvez Hossain Emon, Nurul Hasan Sohan, Taskin Ahmed.

(With India Today inputs)

By Salman Anjum - 21 Aug, 2022

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