ICC T20 WORLD CUP 2022

November 1, 2022

Shakib Al Hasan

Adelaide Oval

Bangladesh

Pre Match Media Conference

Q. Match too hot to handle, weather too cold to handle?

SHAKIB AL HASAN: It will be difficult. It is a little difficult, as we played our first game in Hobart, where it was very cold, especially someone coming from subcontinent, it was very cold. Then we went to Sydney, Sydney was very nice weather-wise. Brisbane was nice, too. Now we're getting another cold weather.

We have to adjust. There is no other option than adjust. But I don't think it will be a problem because we are mentally ready to play the game.

Of course I think it will be a full house as we're playing against India and they've got a good crowd in Australia always, anywhere they go. It will be an exciting game, I hope, and our team will enjoy.

Q. Talking about Indian batting strength, apart from the star cricketers like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, you have someone in No. 4 called Suryakumar Yadav, and he has been scoring a lot of runs this year in T20 cricket especially. I think if I'm not wrong he'll be playing against Bangladesh for the first time and this is his first World Cup in Australia. Do you have any special planning about Suryakumar Yadav, to stop him, especially just after the powerplay or the middle over?

SHAKIB AL HASAN: Well, he's been playing really well for India, probably their number one batsman in terms of if you talk about record in the last one year. So yes, they've got a few world-class players which we need to look out for. We haven't done our team meeting yet, bowling meeting or batting meeting so we'll talk about all those areas when we do our meetings. But yes, as you said, they've got a phenomenal batting order which we have to overcome to be able to win or do something good.

Q. How much of the record that India have won T20s against Bangladesh only one how much will that weigh on your mind when you go into a match like tomorrow?

SHAKIB AL HASAN: Well, as I said in one of the Bangla questions, India is the favorite, and they came here to win the World Cup. We are not favourite, and we didn't come here to win the World Cup.

You can understand the situation, and we know it very well. If we win against India, it will call an upset, and we'll try to play our best cricket and we'll try to make an upset.

Q. You spoke about Indian team's bowling attack, but there is one player, Arshdeep Singh. What are your thought on him because he will be playing for the first time?

SHAKIB AL HASAN: Yeah, I think the first time I saw him in IPL he's been bowling really well, especially with the new ball. He showed a lot of maturity when there is not just with Bumrah, obviously. So he's showing a lot of promises. Yeah, he's a great prospect for India, I think.

Q. India's main spinner in this World Cup is an off spinner, Ashwin, and you have four left-handed batters in the top six. Is there any thought to changing up the order or get another right-handed batter in?

SHAKIB AL HASAN: Well, as I said, we haven't decided our team. We haven't done our meetings. Once we do our meetings, we'll be able to find out, and when we find out, obviously we won't be able to disclose it here to let the other team know what's happening.

But yeah, there will be so many things that we'll discuss in meetings, and we'll come up with some solutions. Not necessarily it will work, but we'll have to do our meeting before going to (indiscernible).

Q. The Bangladesh has not beaten India in a World Cup until now. Does that play on the back of your mind in the form of Virat Kohli, and what do you think of this prospect Suryakumar Yadav?

SHAKIB AL HASAN: All 11 players that India have, they are all capable to play for India and that's why they are part of the team. We know what we are coming up against tomorrow. We know the challenges, and we'll plan accordingly. We'll try to prepare ourselves accordingly, and we'll try to do our best.

Q. You just told a bit ago how difficult it is for a subcontinent team coming here; does that make a difference when you are fielding in those kind of conditions or bowling in a certain kind of conditions that's so difficult as opposed to subcontinent? Can you shed some light on how it changes things as a player or as a bowler?

SHAKIB AL HASAN: Well, of course it is very difficult, not only bowling or fielding but also for batting. It is very difficult to adjust. But most of the international players, I think in their careers, sometimes they've played in these sort of conditions or different conditions, and they know how to manage it. We have to manage it. We cannot deny the fact that it is cold, but we have to manage it, and I think both teams know how to manage it.

Q. I just want to know from you what has been the impact of Sridharan Sriram on this Bangladesh side. How big is his impact on the current Bangladesh team?

SHAKIB AL HASAN: Well, I think he has done well since he came here. He has a big plan that he's wanted to work on. He has been good with the boys. The boys like the way he talks. Here I think we played under him, I don't know, five, six matches, maybe a bit more than that. In this short time I think he has done something very well for this young team, and I hope he continues for Bangladesh.