IPL 5: I am now focusing on my batting, says Shakib

Kolkata: No one can fault his effort as far as his bowling in this IPL is concerned, but star allrounder Shakib Al Hasan feels that it's about time that he started contributing with the willow. He has taken six wickets at an average of less than 11 run per wicket but according to Shakib that's only half the job done. "From the three matches I played, I was Man of the Match once. I've done well as a bowler. I'm now focusing on my batting. By the God's grace, I hope to do well as a batsman," the unassuming Bangladeshi all-rounder, said here on Wednesday.
Shakib said he was hopeful that the team would do better on the last year. "The team atmosphere is just perfect. We are improving match by match. We are looking to be more consistent. We are taking one match at a time. Our first aim is to make it to the last four [play-offs]. Then we will focus on winning the title. But I'm sure we will do better than last year."


The Bangladeshi further said the conditions here were similar to that of his country and that helped him a lot. "I always feel at home here. I've have been playing here since U-15 days. I always feel confident playing here," he said. Asked whether they are all geared up to face the Sourav Ganguly-led Pune Warriors at home on May 5, Shakib said: "It's just any other match. As I said, we are taking one match at a time, so our target now is to win against Royal Challengers Bangalore on April 28. There will not be any additional pressure against Pune Warriors India. The spectators, though, may feel the heat."
"Here you get to play against all the big players. A good performance here definitely boosts your confidence. I hope everybody will be happy with my performance in IPL. I always played for the team, to contribute in all the three departments." The allrounder credited everybody in Bangladesh for his rise in international cricket. "I owe my success to everybody in Bangladesh. Right from the groundsmen to coach, my family, friends...everybody. It's difficult to name anybody particular," the 25-year-old said.