Kolkata: Veteran Bangladeshi all rounder Shakib Al Hasan on Tuesday said according to him the current Bangladesh team is the best side of all time. Shakib was recently appointed as the T20 captain said that his team however needs to do better in the shorter format of the game.
“We have a few good batsmen, good pacers, and good spinners too. I feel this team of ours is the all time best,” said Shakib, who told reporters on the sidelines of a promotional programme in Kolkata.
“I don’t have any complains. Our cricket is on the right track. Our performance in the last two years is a testimony to that fact,” the current Bangladeshi T20 skipper added.
Bangladesh who was considered to be a minnow became the fourth team ever to win their 100th Test match against Sri Lanka.
“Any responsibilty is challenging,” Shakib said when asked about his role as T20 captain.
“It depends how you take it. Yes we are doing well of late but we don’t have a good T20 record. We need to improve on that aspect. When I was ODI or Test skipper, our situation was like that. We just could not win. Then we started winning slowly and now we are winning matches regularly. So in T20 our target is to reach that level.”
According to the veteran Bangladeshi all-rounder their team is in the toughest group in the Champions Trophy. Bangladesh will face Australia, New Zealand and England in Group A which is also regarded as the group of death.
“I feel our group is more tough. All teams are good but Australia, England are tough opponents. South Africa always do well. We are confident of doing well in a world event so that people remember our show.”
While talking about KKR where Shakib has featured in one match this season, the highly rated player said he is waiting for his turn and it is the nature of the competition that is forcing him to stay out of playing XI.
“We are professional cricketers. There is a team combination in a side and the team is made keeping in mind the opposition. Those who don’t play want to make the most of any opportunity. I am waiting for my turn.”
On Gautam Gambhir’s captaincy, Shakib said, “He has been exceptional. It’s been seven years since I have been playing under him.
“The way he runs the team is superb. It’s not easy to lead in franchise cricket. In the last seven years we have qualified for knockouts or reached the top four. Not many teams have managed to do so. In 2012 and 2014 we have become champions and both (the wins have come) under him. It is for him that the team is doing well.”
KKR will face Rising Pune Supergiant on Wednesday.