Shakib eager for elusive victory

Shakib Al Hasan has drawn encouragement from Bangladesh’s gutsy display in Mirpur ahead of the second Test against Sri Lanka, which begins in Chittagong on Saturday.

The 21-year-old all-rounder was named man of the match after a fine display with both bat and ball in the first Test - one of several outstanding performances he has turned in for the Tigers in 2008.

He claimed five wickets in the first innings and struck 96 as the hosts fell only 107 short of a daunting victory target of 521.

Shakib looked to be closing in on what would have been his first Test century, but with the milestone in sight he was bowled via an inside edge chasing a full delivery from Dammika Prasad.

That left Bangladesh on 403 for seven and running out of specialist batsmen, and the tourists pounced to take full advantage and clinch a 1-0 lead in the two-Test series.

"There was dissatisfaction for not reaching the hundred and getting the victory," admitted Shakib.

"But still the team comes first (for) me because at one stage it seemed it was possible to achieve the target."

Shakib Al Hasan engaged in an 111-run stand with captain Mohammad Ashraful in Mirpur

Bangladesh will aim to channel that fighting spirit into levelling the series by winning the second Test at Chittagong Divisional Stadium.

"What I always said was that I enjoy cricket," Shakib said. "I feel good when I enter the ground. That's it.

"My performance has been improving day by day and there will be something happening if I can continue the trend."

However, he may not find the Chittagong pitch as much to his liking as Mirpur's Shere Bangla National Stadium.

"I think day by day the wicket improved and in my opinion it's the best wicket in the country," he said of the Mirpur pitch.

"The other thing is that we played well at home because we are playing this series after a tough tour in South Africa."

That 2-0 series whitewash at the hands of the Proteas last November came hot on the heels of a 1-0 defeat in a closely-fought two-Test series at home to New Zealand in October.

Bangladesh have only one Test victory to their name - over Zimbabwe in Chittagong four years ago - but Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene is not taking anything for granted.

"In the last couple of Test matches they were very close to winning against New Zealand and probably one (Test) against South Africa as well," said Jayawardene. "So we know what they are capable of doing."