Bangladesh opening batsman Soumya Sarkar said that he had a lot to learn from Shakib Al Hasan and that it was big factor for the Bangladesh players to share a dressing room with the world’s number one ODI all-rounder.
Asked whether the team congratulated Shakib after his performance against Afghanistan, Soumya said: “We congratulated him in the meeting after the match. To share the dressing room with him is a big factor for us. He has so many records and we have a lot to learn from him.”
He was of the opinion that Shakib’s legend status can only be discussed after he finishes playing but focused on the impact Shakib is having on him.
“When he finishes playing, he will become a legend. Especially for me, I have a lot to learn from him and the more I see him, the more I am amazed. He is continuously performing and notching record after record,” Soumya opined.
Soumya said that the India match on July 2 provides them with a ‘chance’ to go on and play the last match against Pakistan with belief. “We will try to give our best to win the match. Whether we go through to the semis is a different aspect but if we win the match [against India], the chance it will create for us will get us ready for the next match [Pakistan],” he said.
“I have always said that I will play where the team requires me to. If I score a run and that contributes to the team then it makes me happy.”
Soumya Sarkar believes the Tigers can win their remaining two group stage games, first against India at Edgbaston and then against Pakistan at Lord’s.
“We played good cricket in the last match. We won in dominant fashion, and it was important for us. We still have two games in hand. The two games are huge. We have one week in our hand, and a few days’ break. The way we have played in recent times, if we can stick to our gameplan and put up our best effort, then definitely we can win these two matches,” said Soumya.
Soumya said he can bat in any position for the sake of the team.
There might be a debate as to whether benefit of the doubt goes to a batsman, but the third umpire gave preference to the on-field umpire’s call
“I always said, my first preference is the team. I will bat at any position where my team need me. Even if I score one run in a different batting position, and if that benefits the team, I’d feel happy. So when the team asked me to bat a bit down against Afghanistan, I totally agreed for the sake of the team, and that is no problem with me,” he added.
Soumya heaped praise on majestic all-rounder Shakib al Hasan for his brilliant form in the World Cup, and informed that he has learnt a lot from the world’s No 1 all-rounder.
“Shakib bhai is playing superbly. It’s a big thing for players like us that we are sharing the dressing room with him. He has broken many records for Bangladesh, and playing consistently well. Personally I have learnt a lot from Shakib bhai,” he explained.
