Shakib Al Hasan Admits India Tour Is the Toughest Challenge After Losing 1st Test Match in Chennai

September 26, 2024 0 483

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Shakib Al Hasan Admits India To Be A Tough Opponent

Shakib Al Hasan admitted that touring India for Test matches was the toughest challenge due to the home team’s dominance and quality across all conditions.

Star Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan acknowledged on Thursday that touring India is one of the toughest assignments in Test cricket, regardless of the pitch conditions. Speaking ahead of the second Test against India in Kanpur, Shakib emphasised the strength of the Indian team and their dominance in home conditions, which has made securing a Test win against them a tough goal for Bangladesh since their first encounter in 2000.

Bangladesh has faced India 14 times in Test matches, with India winning 12 and the other two ending in draws. Shakib highlighted how difficult it is for teams to defeat India in their own backyard.

“If you look at other countries, every now and then they will lose one or two games. But in India, you hardly see them losing in Test matches. So yes, I would say you are right. We won against them in the ODI series in Bangladesh, and we came very close to winning a Test match there. But in Test cricket, we haven’t achieved the success we’re aiming for. Tomorrow is another opportunity,” Shakib said when asked whether an Indian tour is the toughest challenge for any team.

Shakib pointed out that Bangladesh had brief moments of promise during their recent match in Chennai but conceded that they couldn’t sustain their form long enough to prevent India from winning in just three-and-a-half days. “We felt like we were a better team than that,” he noted, expressing the need for his team to put up a stronger fight in the upcoming match.

Shakib Announces Retirement From T20Is and Test Cricket

In a surprising development, Shakib also announced his intention to retire from Test cricket following Bangladesh’s home series against South Africa in Mirpur next month, pending security clearance. He confirmed his immediate retirement from T20 Internationals as well.

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Shakib revealed that he had already informed the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and selectors of his decision. The upcoming two-test series against South Africa in October will mark his farewell to the longest format of the game.