Shakib Al Hasan feels Bangladesh have more than enough time to prepare for the T20 World Cup coming next month, and that the team will head to the upcoming tournament in UAE and Oman having built a “winning mentality” following recent series victories against big nations like Australia and New Zealand.
Bangladesh will arrive in Muscat at least two weeks before their first match, while Shakib and Mustafizur Rahman will be playing the IPL’s the second phase set in UAE, which Shakib feels will help him collect knowledge about the conditions for the team.
“I am hopeful that the IPL will help everyone,” Shakib said. “We will be spending time in those conditions, play matches too. Mustafiz and I can share the experience with the rest of the team. We will understand the other players’ mindset, what they are thinking about the World Cup, and then report it back to our players.
“Our team will be in Oman at least 15-16 days before the World Cup, which is enough time for acclimatising with conditions and wickets. I don’t think pitches and conditions here will have any impact over there. We have built a winning mentality, which will help us be confident in the World Cup.”
Shakib had said after the first match against New Zealand that the pitch was more difficult than the ones that were used in the Australia series. He said that the batsmen must forget about playing in Dhaka if they wish to do well in the T20 World Cup.
“Those who played the last nine-ten matches, are all out of form. That’s how the wicket was. Nobody did well. I hope the batters don’t count this performance.
“Careers will end if any batter plays 10-15 matches on these wickets. Let’s not take this into account. Everyone will try hard to win games for the country.
“I think we are well prepared, by winning these last three (T20I) series. There’s been a lot of criticism about pitches and low scores, but there’s nothing better than winning.
“Such a winning streak takes confidence to a different level. You wouldn’t have it if you played well but lost. We want to go to the World Cup with confidence.”