2024-02-15 21:10:06
He was the man of the match on the field. In the same match, despite showing great skill with bat and ball, Shakib Al Hasan fell behind Jimmy Neesham’s performance in the man-of-the-match race. He did not know that Shakib was struggling with eye problems even after playing the second match in Chittagong for Rangpur Riders.
On Thursday (February 15) at the Zahoor Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Neesham said, ‘I don’t know what’s wrong with his eyes’. This is the first time I heard the news. Let him keep doing what he is doing. Because it’s working.’
Nisham, however, does not understand. The world’s best all-rounder was brilliant in the two matches Neesham played with Shakib. In Chittagong, the performance of Dhaka was also surpassed. He scored the fastest career fifty off just 20 balls and the second fastest BPL fifty among Bangladeshi cricketers. He also took 2 wickets with the ball.
Seeing this performance of Shakib, Neesham thinks that Shakib can bowl even if he is good in one eye or blind, ‘It seemed that the opposite was helping him in the last match. Maybe playing with one eye is easier for him (laughs). He is a great cricketer. Maybe if he can’t see, he can still bowl. He will do well in that too.’
In his first match, Neesham scored a 26-ball fifty, with 2 wickets as Man of the Match. Neesham commented that the team is also enjoying the BPL with a good game, ‘Yes, I am enjoying it. And winning always makes the game enjoyable. The atmosphere of the team is quite good now. We are looking forward to the next match.’
Incidentally, the Bangladesh team’s visit to New Zealand came up at the end of last year. In this tour, Nazmul Hossain Shanta’s team achieved the feat of winning on Kiwi soil in ODI and T20 for the first time. Seeing the progress of the Bangladesh team, Nisham’s voice is full of praise from the red green representatives.
‘Bangladesh have been doing pretty well in the last few tours of New Zealand. Progressing step by step. Especially the fast bowling department. We have defeated Bangladesh by showing power in our conditions. Because our condition is bouncy and our fast bowlers have more speed and bounce. But in the last two tours I see something different.
‘Bangladesh team now has a bowler like Shariful. He can swing the ball with speed. Has good bounce too. Yes, they have played very well in New Zealand. They must be very happy about it. T20 World Cup is also ahead. I am sure no team will take them lightly. Especially in West Indies conditions’- added Neesham.