"Is he not making the most of it or does he simply not care?" - Virender Sehwag questions the value of Shakib's experience after another poor outing
Former India opener Virender Sehwag launched yet another attack on veteran Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan following a poor display against India. He was dismissed for 11 runs in his side's 50-run loss to India in the Super Eight stage of the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Shakib had come into bat at No. 5 with Bangladesh chasing a mammoth 197-run target set by the Men in Blue. The all-rounder could not make an impression as he departed after a couple of overs, further affecting his side's chances in the game.
He dispatched Kuldeep Yadav for a six in the 14th over but tried to go for another huge hit off a flighted delivery. Shakib could only connect it with the outside half of the bat, resulting in an easy catch for Rohit Sharma.
"When you have a set batter with you at the crease, at least support him. At least stay out in the middle and spend some time, try to get something out of the match. Instead, only 11 runs were scored off seven deliveries and then he walked back. So, I did not understand that," Sehwag said on Cricbuzz
"He has so much experience. So, is he not making the most of it or does he simply not care? or was he thinking that the target is too big and I just scored a six, and now I will score a six off every ball. That's why I said it the last time itself, he needs to make way for a younger player now," Sehwag added
Bangladesh are all but out of semi-final contention after losing back-to-back matches in the Super Eight stage. Their next match is against Afghanistan on June 24 at the Arnos Vale Stadium in St.Vincent.
Virender Sehwag had criticized Shakib Al Hasan for his poor show against South Africa as well
Shakib Al Hasan also did not have much of a say in the tricky run chase against South Africa in the group stages of the competition in New York. He was dismissed for three runs off four deliveries while trying to hook Anrich Nortje during a crucial point of the match.
"If he was included in the squad for experience, then we were not able to see it. Atleast spend some time at this wicket, it is not like you are not Hayden or Gilchrist who can play a pull shot of a short ball, you are just a player from Bangladesh. Play according to your standards. When you are not able to play hook or pull, so just play the strokes that you know," Sehwag had said on Cricbuzz earlier.
On that occasion, Shakib had responded strongly by scoring a match-winning fifty against the Netherlands that helped them qualify for the Super Eight stage.