Shakib: We'll have mental advantage over New Zealand

It has been some time now that Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib al Hasan is struggling with both bat and ball. However, the champion cricketer showed glimpses of returning to form with the bat during their 2017 Champions Trophy match against Australia at Kennington Oval on Monday. With that said, he was surprisingly given out leg before wicket on 29 when he tried to come down the track off spinner Travis Head. After the game got abandoned due to incessant rain, Shakib duly expressed dejection with his dismissal but said it will be a new day when they take on New Zealand in their last group stage match at Sophia Gardens on Friday. Here are the excerpts of his interaction with the media:What is your take on your dismissal?As the umpire thought it was out so I have nothing to say on it. Normally I haven’t seen a batsman coming down the track and given out leg before. I hope it continues, then it’s good.Do you think seven batsmen are enough to post a big total?I think normally in one day cricket, there is always seven batsman and four bowlers and an all-rounder in the line-up, which most teams follow. I think [Monday's] team was a better combination for us. If I had stayed at the crease, things would have been different as you know everyone will not score on the same day. So whoever does get a start, he should continue. So if I was able to stay longer, I think we could have possibly scored 260 as the pitch was different from the previous game, which was more of a 300-plus wicket. The ball was doing a lot due to overcast condition and there were a lot of movements. But yes, it would have been different if I had been able to stay longer.Are you supporting England now due to the semi-final equation?There are still quite a few options. But our main job is to win first, otherwise there won’t be any equation. So we will look to win our game but yes, we are fortunate. And at the same time, Australia are unfortunate. Hopefully this luck will work well for us.Will it be an advantage for Bangladesh playing New Zealand so soon after beating them in the tri-nation series in Ireland?Yes, we have played quite a few games against them so normally there is a mental preparation and other things which will work in favour of us. We played against Australia after six years. Most of the players in the team haven’t played against them apart from three or four of us. Most of them haven’t played against Australia so their feelings are different. Honestly, Australia being the top side always have an impact on the opponent. But those of us who have played against them were normal. For others, it was a different experience.Your personal record is good against the Kiwis. Will it inspire you one more time on Friday?It’s always inspiring to play for Bangladesh so my aim will be to do well. To be honest, we have to do well as a unit and not only one or two players. If at least five or six of us can contribute, I think only then will it be possible to win.How good is the Australian pace bowling attack?It's difficult to say if they are the best as I said if myself and Tamim [Iqbal] had stayed for a longer time, then there would have been no talks of their bowling attack being the best. Yes, they have some quality fast bowlers but at the same time they also provide gaps for the batters to score runs.The way you were playing, was is frustrating to be given out at that exact moment?It's always frustrating when you get out but there’s no point talking about these things so what’s gone you can’t take it back.How do you rate Tamim's innings?I think he played extraordinarily well not only in this game but also in the last match. He has been the consistent performer of our team for some time now. I hope he will do well in the next game as well as he is going through a good time. I hope he continues this.Being an all-rounder, are you happy with your own performance?Look I am confident enough and I think I am on the right track as I did get the start with the bat [Monday]. But unfortunately, I couldn’t make it big. On the other hand, in these ICC tournaments, the pitch tends to help the batters more so it's difficult for the bowlers to adapt on such pitches. But yes, I think I am confident enough with my performance.