Abdur Razzak and Shakib-al Hasan had formed a very effective left-arm spin-bowling combination for Bangladesh till the former got dropped from the limited-overs format.
Razzak has since retired and Shakib is not accompanying the touring Bangladesh team either as he is serving an ICC ban. But even if Bangladesh were in full strength, it still would have been a tall order for them to beat the current Indian team, feels Razzak.
“With both Shakib and Tamim (Iqbal) unavailable, it will be mighty difficult for Bangladesh. Even if we had a full-strength side, it would have been very tough as India are the No. 1 side in Tests and one of the top teams in the T20I format as well.
“So, one can only imagine how tough it is going to be for Bangladesh,” Razzak, the first Bangladeshi bowler to take 200 wickets in ODIs, told The Telegraph.
The Mahmudullah-led side’s morale will certainly be affected because of Shakib’s ban, Razzak agreed. “To some extent, it does affect the squad’s confidence level when a player of that stature is out all of a sudden. But it’s also a great opportunity for the others who are in the team whohave a chance to prove their mettle. Replacing Shakib and Tamim is not easy, but you have to look at it as an opportunity,” Razzak said.
With Shakib, Razzak also played an equally important role with figures of 3/38 off 10 overs when Bangladesh stunned India in the 2007 World Cup. Having played alongside Shakib from his early days, Razzak doesn’t believe that the former captain did everything on purpose and feels the ICC’s decision was harsh.
“Shakib plays various T20 competitions around the world. So, maybe because of his tight schedule, it (reporting the approaches) skipped his mind. I don’t think he did anything on purpose.
“Yes, he was at fault for not reporting, but I still feel the punishment was a bit harsh.
“We have to respect the ICC’s decision, though I hope it will be reconsidered and the Bangladesh board too will try its bit. Shakib is not just a Bangladesh icon, he has a fan-following all over the world,” Razzak emphasised.
Razzak, however, remains optimistic of Shakib of making a strong comeback. “He is mentally very, very strong.
“Whenever he returns, I’m sure he will be back with a bang. But time is a factor. He was at his peak, so the ban came at the wrong time,” Razzak rued.
Asked if the players’ strike and grievances with the Bangladesh Cricket Board had any connection to Shakib’s ban, Razzak replied: The decision was ICC’s. I don’t think our cricket board had a role to play in this matter.
“The strike was an issue between our Board and our players. Besides, it ended peacefully. And I don’t think the ICC will listen to a cricket board and then decide.”
Talking about the upcoming day-night Test at Eden Gardens, Razzak stated that the inexperience of playing with the pink ball may affect India too.
“To a certain degree, the inexperience of not playing pink-ball cricket at the international stage brings both sides on par. If we face problems with it, India too might go through a similar situation. You never know.”
