Bangladesh can go all the way in T20 World Cup: Shakib

Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan felt that the confidence gained from the T20I series victories against Australia and New Zealand will keep them in good stead for the ICC T20 World Cup in UAE and Oman.

After beating Zimbabwe 2-1 in an away series, Bangladesh trounced Australia 4-1 and New Zealand 3-2 at home which drew flak for the turning pitches as spinners claimed a total of 74 wickets in 10 matches.

"I think we have a good chance in the World Cup. We had a good preparation. There is lots of criticism regarding wickets and low scores but at the same time we have to understand that there is nothing that gives you more confidence than a win. A team carries a winning mentality after success and that gives you confidence to a different level. We want to go to the World Cup with this confidence," Shakib said.

''We will go there 15-16 days before the World Cup and I feel that will be enough to adapt to those conditions and wickets and I don't think this pitch and conditions will have an impact over there. We have developed a winning mentality and want to go there with it."

However, Shakib wasn't pleased with the surfaces used at the Shere Bangla National Stadium where Bangladesh got the better of Australia and New Zealand. The batters found it extremely difficult to score runs on those pitches, and the collective batting average in both series were just 14.73 (Australia) and 16.48 (New Zealand).  

"Those who played the last nine-ten matches, are all out of form. That's how the wicket was. Nobody did well. I hope the batters don't count this performance. Careers will end if any batter plays 10-15 matches on these wickets. Let's not take this into account.

"I think we are well prepared, by winning these last three (T20I) series. There's been a lot of criticism about pitches and low scores, but there's nothing better than winning. Such a winning streak takes confidence to a different level. You wouldn't have it if you played well but lost. We want to go to the World Cup with confidence."

Bangladesh are set to travel to Oman in October for a preparatory camp where they will play in the qualifiers and then the main event if they can finish first or the second in the group. Shakib felt the team can go all the way in the tournament.

"It is difficult to say how far we can go, but I feel we can go all the way at the World Cup,'' Shakib said. "We have to play match by match and if we can do well in the first round, we will carry that confidence and we can give our best in the main round (Super 12).

In the first phase of the competition, Bangladesh have been pooled in Group B alongside Oman, Papua New Guinea and Scotland.

Shakib and team-mate Mustafizur Rahman will have a prior understanding of the conditions in UAE when they travel for the second leg of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2021). The southpaw felt that the duo's experience will come in handy for the team.

''I think it (IPL) will help. We will be staying there and will get accustomed to those conditions and we (Mustafizur and I) can share our experiences with other teammates. The two of us can understand the mindset of the cricketers regarding the World Cup and we can share that with our teammates that will help us to do well in the World Cup.