‘Approach not the problem, issue is execution’

Bangladesh Test skipper Shakib Al Hasan was in a surprisingly jolly mood while facing reporters today after rain had interrupted proceedings at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram with Bangladesh starting down the barrel, facing almost certain defeat against Afghanistan.

Bangladesh's performance in this Test was perplexing to say the least with experienced campaigners failing to come up with an answer to questions posed by Afghan spinners Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi and Zahir Khan in both innings. Not much could be said about how the team planned for this Test as they succumbed to spin after thinking of laying a spin trap for their opponents.

Was there perhaps a problem with the approach of the batsmen? Shakib felt it was not approach but execution where Bangladesh lacked.

"Naturally there is a matter of adjustment here even as we prepared and also planned for things. We had played net bowlers who are wrist spinners. But until we succeed in match scenarios, the practice will not be very useful," the skipper said.

Even though the batsmen failed to apply themselves, Shakib felt that Bangladesh play with too much fear and that heaps more pressure.

"I don't think there is a problem with anyone's approach. I will say that the problem is with execution. It is a problem of playing with a big heart," Shakib said.

"What creates problem with execution is that you will play a shot with fear in your mind. When Liton plays a shot in T20s, even a reverse sweep, he executes that. But he didn't do that in the Test. It's his failure and also the failure of the side that we were not able to.

"Coach said the same thing that we should play with an open mind. I feel that we play with a lot of fear, a lot of pressure. It's a cricket match at the end of the day. It's not everything although it is important. We put too much pressure on ourselves and that makes it difficult to perform. And then when we don't perform, the pressure is even more," the skipper said.

With Afghanistan's chinaman bowler Zahir and leg spinner Rashid Khan running riot today, the question was asked about whether longer format exposure like the sort that the National Cricket League (NCL) provides, could be the solution to lack of application.

"I haven't played NCL in the last four-five years and I didn't have any problems. Is it a problem of playing in the NCL or not playing in the NCL that is the issue? I think it can be both. They get easy bowling attacks there and strike double hundreds. They score four to five double hundreds and then face difficulty scoring four or five runs in international cricket. You have to understand that not everyone is suffering from the same kind of problem. It would be wrong to assume that one medicine will work for everybody," he concluded.