Shakib, IPL performance, boost for Tigers, T20 WC

DHAKA -While Shakib Al Hasan's performance against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the Eliminator game of IPL was pivotal
in keeping Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) final hope alive, it also came as a
relief for Bangladesh.

   The Tigers were practicing in a different city of United Arab Emirates
(UAE) for the upcoming Twnety20 World Cup when Shakib was playing for the
KKR's crucial game.

   Shakib made sure his performance would not only bolster his confidence but
also gave Bangladesh team management a reason to cheer ahead of the World
Cup.

   He gave away 24 runs in his four overs and remained wicket-less while with
willow he made just 9 not out - a performance that should not be praiseworthy
in normal sense but still its worthy because of its impact in the low-scoring
high-profile game.

   Shakib in fact stemmed the runs flow to set up game for Sunil Narine who
ended with 4-21,which included the key wickets of Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers
and Glenn Maxwell. Narine later blasted 15 ball-26 to keep the KKR's nose as
they were chasing a target of 139 to win the game.

   After Narine's dismissal, it needed someone to finish it off but no one
looked capable to go after against RCB bowling attack, which looked pumped up
towards the end.

   Nevertheless, it was Shakib's audacious scoop in the first ball of the
last over, when KKR needed seven off six balls, did the magix. Shakib's scoop
went for boundary and changed the complexion of the game completely. RCB
would have the chance to win the game, if Shakib couldn't hit the first ball
boundary. But the scoop proved Shakib's innovative mind, considering the
match scenario for which even Virat Kohli heaped praise on Shakib along with
Narine.

   This little contribution of Shakib, however, is massive for Bangladesh as
the ace all-rounder was not in his usual form, much to the concern of the
team management. His off-form even forced KKR drop him in some matches of the
UAE part. Only Andre Russell's injury brought him back into the team fold and
now he made sure, his performance would keep the side's IPL final hope alive.

   Shakib was given NOC (No Objection certificate) to play IPL till October 9
and he was supposed to team on October 10 at Abu Dhabi. But as KKR moved to
the playoffs, Shakib decided to extend his NOC to remain the part of his IPL
franchise. While this move was criticized by the fans, according to cricket
experts his decision to play highly competitive game and make a contribution
to the team's victory would indeed benefit Bangladesh in the Twenty20 World
Cup.

   "Sunil (Narine) played great cricket yesterday in both batting and
bowling. Yesterday was totally his day. I am happy that his contribution has
won us the game," Shakib said in KKR's official website.

   Asked if this performance took away pressure on him, he said: "There is
always pressure. But as professional players we have to adapt to it. I have
been playing for a long time and representing my national team. I have the
ability to control that kind of pressure. "

   Kolkata will face Delhi in the second qualifier on Wednesday. Regarding
the match, Shakib said, "We will apply the same formula that we have been
following for so long. Since coming to Abu Dhabi or the United Arab Emirates,
we have had a knockout attitude and we are tackling those challenges one by
one. The good thing for our team now is that no team will take us lightly."BSS