"The rate at which my career has grown is unbelievable"

Shakib Al Hasan is set to leave for the West Indies tomorrow to take part in the Caribbean Premier League. Before he returns home, he would have completed a decade in international cricket, having debuted on August 6, 2016. Speaking to The Daily Star’s Naimul Karim on Wednesday, Shakib talks about his decade-long mantras, his only regret and how pondering about anything outside cricket gets him tense.  

On his career so far

I am a lot more capable. For example, I probably could have scored 500 to 700 more one-day and Test runs and taken maybe 20 or 30 more wickets in Tests. Bowling in ODIs, I honestly didn’t expect to get more than what I have now. I still might be able to cover it up before the end of my career.

On his competitive mindset

It was always about winning. I think that thinking was always present. It only developed once I joined BKSP. There was a lot more competition there. But I told myself, so what? I still need to be the best here. 

How he learns

For example, whatever English I can speak today is because of Star Movies. When I used to watch cricket on television, I used to see that everyone spoke in English, and that’s when I thought that I had to learn this language because I may have to give interviews one day.

When did he feel he belonged in international cricket?

I don’t think there was any such moment in international cricket. I never imagined I would rise so fast and come to such a good place. It was like thash, thash, thash and suddenly I am in the national team.

Read the first of our two-part exlusive in full in the June 24 print edition of The Daily Star....