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Shakib gutted to not finish it for KKR
15 May, 2015
Shakib gutted to not finish it for KKR
15 May, 2015
Shakib al Hasan has been in tremendous form in the last few months with both bat and ball. He was instrumental in Bangladesh coming out trumps against Pakistan at home. He scored 203 runs in two Tests and a belligerent 57 in the lone T20, besides picking five important wickets in the three ODIs.
When he rejoined the Kolkata Knight Riders camp ahead of the match against Mumbai Indians, the Bangladesh all-rounder was high on confidence. And sure enough, the confidence showed in his performance, as he delivered with both bat and ball; bowling his left-arm spin, he returned figures of 2 for 22, before hitting a quickfire 23 off 15 balls in the run-chase.
However, KKR came second in that contest at the Wankhede Stadium against Mumbai Indians by an excruciating margin of five runs. And Shakib, while accepting the praise for his bowling performance humbly, chided himself for not finishing off the game in the chase of 172.
After the game, Shakib spoke to iplt20.com about the thrilling but heartbreaking game and vowed the team will come back stronger for their must-win game on Saturday against Rajasthan Royals.
Feeling good to be in the thick of things immediately upon rejoining the team
I am happy with the way I performed with the ball but I could have done better with the bat. I should have finished things for the team but it didn’t happen. It was an important game for both teams. We had our chances but we didn’t grab them.
Where do you think the match got out of KKR’s hands?
We didn’t bowl well in the death. We gave away about 70 runs in the last five overs. The pitch was a good one to bat on and we should have chased that total down. We had a few batsmen who were set and scoring easily, but no one could stay there to finish the game. These are the areas we need to improve in.
Parthiv Patel came down the track and hit you for a four. Next ball, he did the same and got caught. Was there a plan there?
The first ball I bowled to him was a bit faster and flatter and it was easy for him to hit through the line. The second ball I saw him coming down the pitch again and so I shortened the length and bowled it slower. He tried to adjust his shot but couldn’t do it properly. I guess I was lucky there.
Did the same happen with Ambati Rayudu – you got him caught off a slower and wider one too.
I know that he does come down the wicket regularly. I wasn’t expecting him to play big shots early in his innings but he did. Again, I was lucky there and Andre Russell held on to a good catch. It was a professional performance from my side as far as my bowling is concerned.
You have done well right through the season. Did that rhythm help today?
Yes, I was hitting the ball well in Bangladesh and that gave me the confidence and belief that I can do well today. I also bowled well in the ODIs and the T20, and I thought if I did it there for Bangladesh there is no reason why I cannot do it for KKR here.
You varied your length pretty well today. Is that the key on this wicket?
There wasn’t much help for the bowlers here and so it was crucial to vary your pace, length and line. It worked today.
You angled quite a few balls across Kieron Pollard and it worked.
Yes. It was the plan we discussed for him in our bowlers’ meeting and I was just trying to execute it. All in all I am happy with the way I bowled for the team. The ball is coming well out of my hand.
Next match is a do or die contest for KKR?
It is good for the tournament that things are so tight on the points table. Obviously we wanted to win today and book a place in the Playoffs but it didn’t happen. We will try to improve in some areas, come back day after tomorrow and give our best shot.
