Published: Nov 18, 2018, 07:56 PM (IST)
Edited: Nov 18, 2018, 07:55 PM (IST)
Bangladesh coach Steve Rhodes is happy with Shakib Al Hasan returning from injury for the West Indies series and said that he is a master tactician and somebody of Shakib’s stature, cleverness and tactical awareness is a really important cog to a successful Bangladesh team.
“It is great to have him back. Shakib is a master tactician,” Rhodes told Cricbuzz. “[Mahmudullah] Riyad did a good job as captain in the Mirpur Test, but somebody of Shakib’s stature, cleverness and tactical awareness is a really important cog to a successful Bangladesh team. We welcome him back with open arms. His finger seems fine at the moment. He had a long 45-minute bat in the nets today. So things are looking good,” Rhodes said.
Shakib last played for Bangladesh during the Asia Cup but left the tournament midway to offer his finger treatment.
Rhodes also said that the Zimbabwe series, which Bangladesh managed to draw 1-1 after losing in Sylhet in the first Test, helped them prepare well for the upcoming home series against WI.
“I think in Sylhet and Mirpur, Zimbabwe made us fight all the way. Some people might be a little bit surprised at the 1-1 result and the hard-fought series. I think it will do us a lot of good going into a contest against Windies who are obviously tough opposition. We needed to go there with some tough games under our belt. Zimbabwe proved to be a tough opposition. I was very pleased with the Mirpur result but as you said, we wanted more than 1-1. Once we lost that first one, we had to make sure we drew the series,” he said.
