Bangladesh’s spin bowling coach, Mushtaq Ahmed, believes that star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has been very supportive of the younger players on the national cricket team. Mushtaq pointed out Shakib’s important role in guiding the younger generation of players, especially as the team prepares for their two-Test series against Pakistan.
Shakib recently returned to the national team after getting permission from Bangladesh’s temporary government. He has been a key player both on the field and off the field. His return happened after big political changes in Bangladesh, like the end of Parliament and the Sheikh Hasina government, where Shakib was a Member of Parliament (MP). Even with these changes, Shakib’s dedication to the national team has stayed strong.
At 37 years old, Shakib’s leadership and experience have been crucial, even though he has faced difficulties, such as a public disagreement with fellow experienced player Tamim Iqbal. The conflict, which came to light last year, was about Shakib criticizing Tamim for putting his own interests ahead of the team’s needs. This issue eventually resulted in Tamim not being selected for the 2023 World Cup team due to concerns about his fitness. However, Mushtaq Ahmed pointed out that Shakib, along with other experienced players like Mushfiqur Rahim and Taskin Ahmed, has been playing a helpful role within the team.
“Shakib, Mushfiq, and Taskin have all been very supportive of the younger players, particularly those who are visiting Pakistan for the first time,” Mushtaq said during a press conference in Lahore on Thursday. He commended the experienced trio for their positive impact, which has been important in creating a good environment for learning and development within the team.
Mushtaq praised the current Bangladesh team, saying they are a group that can be taught and are keen to get better. He mentioned their openness to learning new strategies and tactics. “The players are excited to learn, and I hope I can help them improve,” he said.
He also cautioned not to overlook Bangladesh, pointing out that the team has a good mix of skilled players and new fast bowlers. “They are moving in the right direction,” Mushtaq commented. “What they need now is confidence, especially when playing in other countries.”
