"Toughest tour these days" - Shakib Al Hasan determined to see Bangladesh show improvement against 'unbeatable India' in 2nd Test
Veteran Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has claimed that a Test series in India is the toughest assignment for any visiting team, adding that the hosts are "unbeatable" at home. However, the former captain stressed the need for Bangladesh to put up a better show in the second Test after losing the first.
Bangladesh lost the first Test in Chennai comprehensively by 280 runs despite being in a dominant position on Day 1. The Tigers allowed India to pile up a first-innings total of 376 and later conceded a 227-run lead. With 515 to win, the tourists crashed to 234 all out.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of the second Test, Shakib remarked that Pakistan are not quite as experienced as India now. He observed that India are the best side right now as they have shown their ability to perform well overseas and are invincible at home. As quoted by Cricbuzz, the veteran said:
"I think Pakistan is a relatively young and inexperienced team. If you look at the matches they've played and compare it to our team, we have more experience, and in Test cricket, that's a massive factor. If I talk about India, they are the number one team at the moment and are probably unbeatable at home. They are doing well outside as well, but at home, they are unbeatable.
"Any country finds India difficult, and we are no different. Having said that, we have to play really well to show the fight we feel we can put up. I think India is the toughest tour these days. Other teams may lose one or two games, but we hardly see India losing Tests."
The 37-year-old was earlier doubtful for the Kanpur Test, but seems to have recovered from his finger injury. He went wicketless in the opening game alongside scores of 25 and 32.
"Finishing the match in three and a half days isn't ideal for us" - Shakib Al Hasan
Shakib feels the Tigers were good in patches, but need to play a complete game, especially showing drastic improvement in batting. He added:
"I think in patches we played really well in Chennai, but finishing the match in three and a half days isn't ideal for us. We felt like we are a better team than that. If I talk about batting only, there was improvement from the first innings to the second. In the first innings we were bowled out for 150, but in the second innings we scored around 250.
"In the next Test match, if we can score 350 or thereabouts, that will be a huge improvement."
The ex-captain has retired from T20Is and has announced that the potential opening Test against South Africa at home will be his last.