IPL experience helped me improve my game for Bangladesh: Shakib

Shakib Al Hasan feels playing in the IPL has helped him bowl well against India. With figures of 4/105, Shakib was not only the best bowler from his team, but he also became the first Bangladeshi to take 100 wickets at home.

Shakib Al Hasan feels playing in the IPL has helped him bowl well against India. With figures of 4/105, Shakib was not only the best bowler from his team, but he also became the first Bangladeshi to take 100 wickets at home.

Kolkata-Knight-Riders-KKR-s-Shakib-Al-Hasan-bowls-against-Mumbai-Indians-MI-during-the-IPL-2015-match-between-the-two-sides-in-Mumbai-on-May-14-Satish-Bate-HT-Photo

After a drab first day, Shakib reformed his bowling - and also that of his teammates - to counter India's attempt to score quickly on Friday. He acknowledged familiarity with the Indians had helped.

The right areas

"In a way, it's both positive and negative because they played against me a lot so they know how I bowl. What I needed to do was put the ball in the right areas and wait for their mistakes," said Shakib.

The all-rounder also said he had brought about a slight change in his action that allowed him to be more effective. Apart from mixing the flighted and flat deliveries, he varied his pace well.

But more importantly, Shakib put his seniority to good use by having a heart-to-heart chat with the other spinners on Thursday and help them sort out their bowling.

"We were going for plenty in every over. So, basically, we talked about putting the ball in the right areas," he said.