Shakib credits early wickets for having helped settle his nerves – Cricket News Update
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Rajasthan-c837 Royals at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata
on April 13.
“[The] early wickets boosted my confidence and helped me settle my nerves. Whenever you bowl the first over, there are butterflies in [your] stomach. This was one pitch where I needed to bowl well and I did pitch the ball in right areas,” he observed.
Shakib had an excellent stint in the newly-established Bangladesh Premier League, during which he played for the Khulna Royal Bengals, bagging wickets in nearly every match he played, and registering scores such as an unbeaten 86 off 41 in the second semi-final
against the Dhaka Gladiators.
He followed that up with a brilliant performance during the Asia Cup, claiming 6 wickets in 4 innings, and racking up totals such as 64, 49, 56, and 68. It was no surprise that the Kolkata Knight Riders drafted him into their squad.
However, the 25-year-old was not included in the playing XI for KKR’s first two matches, against the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Delhi-c780 Daredevils and Rajasthan Royals respectively. Despite his initial absences, he managed to take 2 for 21 in his first IPL5 match against the Royal Challengers
Bangalore, and followed it up with an impressive 3 for 17 in 4 overs during their most recent clash with the Rajasthan Royals – a performance which won him the Player of the Match award.
When asked about whether his recent outing will help him cement a permanent place on the KKR squad, Shakib insisted that team selection was strictly the domain of the team management, and his only focus was on performing well.
“My job is to perform as a player. It's the coach and captain's call on the team combination. I try to just stay focused on my job.”
Should the selectors decide to play him again, Shakib will be facing the Kings XI http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Punjab-c833 as the KKR prepare to lock horns with them on April 15 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
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