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Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib al Hasan said that there are no small or big teams in T20 cricket following a shocking series loss against the USA ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024. Notably, Bangladesh faced a six-run defeat against the USA in the second T20I on Thursday, May 23 in Houston. As a result, the hosts registered a historic first series win over a full-member team.
Earlier, the Bangla Tigers lost the first game by five wickets at the same venue with USA chasing down the target of 154 in 19.3 overs. Reflecting on the embarrassing series loss, Shakib called it unexpected and termed it as a ‘wake up’ call for the side ahead of the World Cup.
“Certainly it is disappointing and we didn’t expect it but we must give credit to the US team for the way they have played. I think no one expected that we would lose two games. Any match you lose as a team is disappointing and you don’t want to lose a game and obviously it is very disappointing. But having said that we have to play the World Cup and this series might be a wake-up call for us as we haven’t played the way we want to play,” Shakib said in the post-match press conference.
Further speaking ahead, the Bangladesh all-rounder spoke about the unpredictability of the T20 format and mentioned that there are no small or big teams in it which makes it way more exciting than other formats. Shakib’s comments come after he had earlier called the series against Zimbabwe and USA not an ‘ideal preparation’ for the T20 World Cup.
No small or big teams in T20 cricket: Shakib
“It’s a team game and everyone has to take the responsibility – you win as a team and you lose as a team. I don’t want to blame any particular person or any particular department. It’s just that T20 is such a format you have to play very good cricket in all three departments to win against any team. There are no small or big teams in T20 cricket and that’s why it is more exciting than any other format. And the proof of that is in the last two games the way US played,” he added.
The southpaw hasn’t had a memorable time in the series so far having scored just 36 runs from two innings and is also wicket-less with the ball having an economy of 7.28. The 37-year-old will be eager to inspire his side to make a comeback in the third T20I on Saturday, May 25 and help them avoid an embarrassing whitewash.
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