“Other teams don’t provide as many opportunities. We miss regulation chances. Our bowlers have to generate 13–14 chances to take 10 wickets. To take ten wickets, opposing teams must generate nine opportunities. We have to find out how better to focus for longer, and avoid making mistakes.”
Mominul was given the opportunity immediately after Mehidy Hasan Miraz finished his five-for on the fourth morning by taking Axar Patel’s wicket, leaving India at 74 for 7. Mehidy once again delivered a complete package. Ashwin attempted to tap the covers, but it instead connected with the short leg.
Virat Kohli was sent back on Saturday after Mominul made a similar but much more difficult catch off Mehidy. This time, the light broke. Even though, according to Shakib, Bangladesh should have generated more opportunities and ended the Ashwin-Shreyas Iyer combo, which ultimately led to India’s victory with a 71-run partnership.
Shakib maintained optimism even as India drew closer to win. However, he thought the game was over “when Miraz got hammered for that six” by Ashwin, with 16 to go in the target. He remarked, “Losing three wickets soon here is fairly common. “A hat-trick was attainable. I believe that on a difficult pitch, Ashwin and Iyer both batted effectively. They merit praise.
I believe we made every effort. We somehow went short a little. “Once you’ve taken seven wickets for 75, you could think you’re going to win” (or 74). We needed one wicket, they needed 71 runs. Although it is hard to pinpoint [what went wrong], we tried everything.
Especially on a field of this kind, we might have been able to bowl the ball better and generate more opportunities. But I was pleased with how we battled throughout the Test.” Shakib was satisfied with the team’s performance until 2022, when they triumphed in ODI series against South Africa (on the road) and India as well as a Test in New Zealand (at home).
We had a fantastic year in 2022, in my opinion, Shakib stated. We may have a different 2023 based on the topics we discuss in the dressing room and the kind of leadership that is being developed. “We should sweep the three Test series we play at home next year against Ireland, Afghanistan, and New Zealand.
In the upcoming six months, we should have a T20 squad prepared that will perform admirably at the T20 World Cup in 2024. We have a team in place for ODIs. Since 2015, we have only lost one home series (in 2016 versus England). We should perform well at the World Cup if we can play as a team and benefit from contributions from all areas.