Bangladesh’s all-rounder Sakib al Hasan completed the home series against Pakistan in a bitter-sweet manner as he had blazed with the bat but failed with the ball all through the 28 days campaign. Sakib completed several milestones in the Test match at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium but hardly did it meet up the expectations of his billing as an all-rounder that eventually effected Bangladesh in the series deciding Test match.
Sakib, on his way to an unbeaten 89 off 91 balls, crossed 1000 runs at the SBNS being the first cricketer which also took his average past 40 in Test matches for the first time.
Sakib, who hammered all the bowlers at will in the SBNS, followed this innings with an unbeaten 76 runs in the second innings of his opening Test match where his effort helped the Tigers keep Pakistan at bay.
But somehow he could not perform in an equal measure as far as bowling is concerned as he had to content with just one wicket in three consecutive Test matches.
Prior to the Test match, Bangladesh skipper Mushfiqur Rahim said that he is looking forward for the left-arm spinner to return back in his earlier self that he believed would be crucial in determining the fate of the game.
‘It is disappointing from the team and personal point of view,’ Sakib told reporters at Mirpur after another futile effort in the second innings that saw him finishing with 0-43.
‘I think the team has suffered due to my bowling. Often it gets ignored when I am doing well but now I see that it certainly has an effect on the team,’ he said.
Pakistan piled 195-6 in their second inning after reducing Tigers to 203-9 in their reply to Pakistan’s mammoth 557-8.
It left Tigers with a daunting task of reaching 550 runs to win and they completed their second innings at 63-1 at the close of play.
Many believed that Tigers would not have to suffer this heavily had it been the golden old days of Sakib with the cherry.
His excessive Twenty20 cricket and his lack of interest in first-class competition were blamed for his prolonged bad patch with the ball in Test cricket.
However, Sakib said that he does not think that lack of bowling is affecting him.
‘I don’t think it does. I have always played in this way. I don’t remember I have taken more than a couple of five-for in our domestic first-class cricket.
‘I don’t even bowl much for my division too. It is just a mental thing. I didn’t bowl well in three innings. I think someone new has to take responsibility but I will try my best definitely.’
A wicket in Pakistan’s second inning could have been some consolation for the all-rounder as that could award him 100 wickets at home.
-With New Age input
