Donald backs Shakib to claim five-wicket haul

Dhaka, 25 may -Bangladesh pace bowling coach Alan Donald backed  left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan to claim a five-wicket in a bid to help the side get a good lead in the second Test against Sri Lanka.

He said Shakib is a smart operator who knows how to deal with the situation. 
And therefore Donald is hoping to gain a lead despite Sri Lanka put them in advantageous position by reaching 282-5 on day three of the Test.

As Bangladesh were bowled out for 365, the visitors are just trailing by 83 runs.
"Like Shane Warne, the guy (Shakib) is so experienced. He is well traveled. 

He lands them on a string," Donald said after the day's game. "I know him and Herath have been quite close whenever they need a chat or 

two. It is nice to hear Shakib talk about spin bowling in his own world."

Donald also revealed that once AB de Villiers told him that Shakib is a tougher guy, whom anyone would find to go after while batting.

Terming him a Shakib-admirer, he further said, "I have been a great admirer of Shakib. When AB says it is tough to get down to Shakib, then it must be tough. He is a smart operator."

Shakib is the one who genuinely raised Bangladesh's hope to wrap up Sri Lanka's first innings cheaply. He dismissed Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne on 80, before he did any damage. And when Dhananjaya de Silva went after Bangladeshi bowlers aggressively, Shakib also removed him.

But Sri Lanka's top order batted beautifully to negate Bangladesh's advantage finally.

"He changes his pace really subtly. He showed again, chipped away. Hopefully he walks away with a five wicket haul tomorrow. It is awesome to have him in the team. His experience and leadership is priceless," Donald concluded.