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‘Forward-looking’ Jaker
Building on a breakthrough year
Bangladesh batter Jaker Ali Anik , fresh from a month-long West Indies tour, has had a breakthrough year, integrating into the national team across all formats. Despite a lacklustre T20 World Cup performance, the 26-year-old shone in the Caribbean, scoring consistently across formats. In an exclusive interview with The Daily Star’s Abdullah Al Mehdi , Jaker reflected on his latest assignment, team’s mindset, and his evolving game, among other things. The excerpts of the interview are as follows:
THE DAILY STAR (DS): According to you, how was the West Indies tour from the team’s perspective?
JAKER ALI (JA): It was outstanding for us, as a team. After not playing well in the first Test, we made a comeback in the second. In the ODIs, we played well in most of the games, but maybe the bowling unit did not perform as they are used to… but they proved themselves again [in T20Is].
DS: What are your feelings about the T20I series win?
JA: The coach [Phil Simmons] told us not to give any quarters, and told us before the third game that we will only realise what we have done when we get back home. Now I am realising it since returning.
DS: Do you now feel more accomplished with your power-hitting game?
JA: The last T20 innings [72 not out] is special because bowlers were not bowling in my comfort zone. After the first One-Day [International], Windies bowlers realised that it’s free for the taking when they bowl at my stumps during the slog overs. You could see how wide they were bowling. Scoring runs against the tide was something special. I saw their plans and changed my stance. They were trying to bowl wide yorkers or slowers, and I shuffled to get closer.
DS: Senior assistant coach Salahuddin talked about needing more consistency. What did he say about changing mindset?
JA: He gave clear concepts like always. The biggest thing is he allowed us to play our natural game… to play with freedom. I will talk about a small incident. In the second ODI, we made only 227. In the meeting, he said, ‘Look, if we score 220 in such wickets, we will lose. If we don’t show intent, we will lose anyway. So if we show intent and score only 150 and lose, it’s not a problem. But we must play for 300 plus.’ In the third game, you saw the changes [as the Tigers scored 321].
DS: How do you see this year’s gains in making Test and ODI debuts along with playing in a World Cup?
JA: Actually, I don’t think about these things. Whatever took place has ended, whether good or bad. I am a forward-looking person. Obviously grateful for the good things, but I won’t be dawdling on it. I think I have to look forward to doing things better. Working on fitness currently.
DS: You are often criticised for being limited with your off-side shots. What do you make of it?
JA: It’s not important that I have to play through the offside. What’s important is that I score runs. I never felt like that; instead, I play to my strength, and that’s what I would continue. My strength is to get close to the deliveries. The bat swing makes it such that often I play through the on side, but I always aim to play straight. I know exactly how to play my game, and it’s not like I have to play only through the off side or only the leg side. In that microsecond of time, I have to find a way to hit it… It’s all practice and mindset.
DS: It’s said that you used to practise commentary in your childhood so you can talk when taking player-of-the-match awards?
JA: Yes, I used to practise that. Like how I am going to be when I win the man-of-the-match award. I was a big fan of Bangladesh cricket growing up, and these things happening for real give me joy.
DS: Your thoughts on ODIs going forward, especially with the Champions Trophy coming up?
JA: Given the mental strength the team has right now, I feel we will do something good in the Champions Trophy. Something big. We have good chances.