Dynamites overcome pressure

Shakib Al Hasan joined Mashrafe Bin Mortaza as one of only two captains to lift a Bangladesh Premier League trophy yesterday. And while he was a part of the strongest team of the BPL this season, it was not an easy task.

Both Dhaka Dynamites skipper Shakib and coach Khaled Mahmud, following their 56-run win over the Rajshahi Kings in Mirpur yesterday, admitted that there was plenty of pressure on the Dynamites to win the competition.

“We had a good team and everyone expected us to be champions right from the start, so there was a bit of pressure. But the good thing for me was that [Khaled Mahmud] Shujon bhai was there outside the ground and things became easier for us.

“The senior players in the team also helped us and that eased the tension. We had enough experience, so whenever we waivered, we knew how to come back to the right path,” said Shakib during the post-match press conference in Mirpur yesterday.

Dhaka skipper Shakib Al Hasan marked the joyful moment by bringing his own bundle of joy, one-year-old daughter Alaina, to the presentation ceremony. Photo: Firoz Ahmed

“At the start of the tournament I said that there was only one target this time and that was to win the cup and it feels really happy to be successful. The best part was how the entire team played so well together.

“You may have many famous and big players in the team, but it is also important to perform. At times the desire to perform isn't there. And for that to come you need to create a good environment and I think we managed to do that with the help our coach and our senior players.

“That's the reason why different players raised their hands in different crucial matches for us,” added Shakib.

Coach Mahmud reiterated Shakib's stance. When asked how he dealt with the expectations from the franchise's owners, Beximco, he said: “When I was a player, you all used to call me a fighter. From a very young age I liked to work under pressure. I enjoy working with small teams especially and leading them to wins.

“Actually, when you make a team, everyone wants to be a champion. So, in a sense, they [the owners] didn't put that kind of a pressure on us. Yes, they discussed things with us and we heard their opinion.

“But at the end of the day, we took the decision that our team management thought was better. I am mature enough to know how to handle all of this. I handled all of these issues and I didn't let these affect my players. I kept all of this away from the players.”

“Initially I was a bit afraid since there are so many big players in our team. For instance, I didn't know how to drop Mahela Jayawardene.

“But to my surprise, everyone was very supportive. I was very lucky that way. Mahela was with us in the dressing room and he supported our every move,” he added.

Both Shakib and Mahmud have won their second tournament following the Dhaka Premier League this year and they both rated the BPL championship much higher than their former win.

“The atmosphere is different in the BPL. You won't get so many fans coming in during the Dhaka Premier League. I think the intensity with which we play here is almost similar to an international match.

“There are so many international players who come here and play along with the local players, and so, it feels good to be able to perform here,” said Shakib.

Mahmud described the win as one of his best.

“This is a very challenging tournament. And to win this is a big deal,” said Mahmud.