Bangladesh favourite against Pakistan, says Shakib

Bangladesh all-rounder deems it is prime opportunity for his side to beat the men in green on home soil

KARACHI: Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan expressed his confidence that his side go as favourites in the series against Pakistan later in April.

He further articulated his optimism by saying that this the best chance for his team to beat Pakistan on home soil.

He is currently in India to play for his Indian Premier League (IPL) side Kolkatta Knight Riders. He will only participate in the first two matches for his side and then return home for the series against the men in green.

"I will start training from tomorrow," said Shakib. "I will only play two matches in the IPL so the Pakistan series will be on my mind. If I do well in the two matches, that confidence will work in my favour.

"I think we should be starting as favourites to win the ODI series against Pakistan. I think this is our best chance to win against Pakistan. Everyone in the team believes so, too. We have proved that we can beat any team at home. If we play our best cricket, we can do well against any side. We beat New Zealand seven times, and they are the World Cup runners-up."

He also shed light upon the importance of the upcoming series (after the Pakistan one) against India, South Africa and Australia this year. He said Bangladesh has to be in the top eight to easily stream into the World Cup playing nations as it is going to be 10-team World Cup in 2019.

"It is a very important year for us since it will be a 10-team World Cup next time. We need to go up the rankings," he said.

"If we can win against higher-ranked sides, we will get more points. Ultimately we have to stay within the top eight to play in the World Cup. We have been around No 9 and 10 for a long time. We got up to No 8 for a brief period, but now we have to get to that level and stay there."

Shakib conveyed satisfaction on his World Cup performance and added that the new players should stop learning and start performing.

"There is no end to performing better. I think I did well in the World Cup. If I could have ended the tournament like I had started, it obviously would have been better," Shakib said. "Still, I don't think I should be disappointed about the numbers next to my name in this World Cup.

"I thought the new players did well. The team performed, which is the most important thing. Soumya, Sabbir and Taskin played well. The senior players were also up to the mark. The team is in good shape. The young players have to perform, not to be taught."