At Eden Gardens, dial S for Shakib

KOLKATA: So friendly is the international travel policy between India and Bangladesh that getting a visa for medical, business or study purpose can be a cakewalk. When it’s cricket though, the rules change drastically. Which is why Bangladesh haven’t been on a tour of India ever since getting Test status in 2001. The match against Pakistan hence will allow many to tick that box — playing at Eden Gardens.

Only once before this has a Bangladesh team been able to play at the Eden Gardens — against Sri Lanka in 1990. Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza was naturally upbeat. “There are a few grounds where a player always wants play and do well. As a child I heard a lot about Eden Gardens. We want to make it memorable,” said Mortaza.

The ground may be new to most in the Bangladesh team but for Shakib Al Hasan who has played many IPL matches here for KKR. The directive is clear for Bangladesh — dial S for Shakib if they want to get the best out of their most important export. Both Mortaza and manager Khaled Mahmud Sujon agreed Shakib would play a key role in this match.

Bought by KKR in 2011, the all- rounder has won the team many matches. On the abrasive pitch of Eden Gardens, he has the ability to turn the ball or keep a tight line. Shakib’s bigger test though would be the bat. With KKR, Shakib comes at No 6 or 7. With Bangladesh however, he has batted at No. 4 so far in the WT20. That means greater responsibility to anchor the innings. But Shakib shouldn’t be weighed down by that. Not at least at Eden, his second home.