Sakib-al-Hasan considers himself lucky to have achieved so much

Chittagong, May 16 (UNI) Bangladesh's sizzling all-rounder Sakib-al-Hasan who is all set to make his debut in the first Test against India, today said he has been 'lucky' to have got a premium in return for the efforts he has made.

Talking to the media after a practice schedule in the evening, Hasan, who stole the limelight on the tragic Saturday in Trinidad when he blasted a half century to literally show India the doors from the World Cup, said, ''I consider myself lucky. Lady luck has always been well disposed towards me. I have got more than my share of things without having to work very hard.'' ''And I hope to continue in the same manner in future also.

Having said that I want to add that I work hard for it too. Without that nothing would have happened. Its just that things have clicked at the right time at the right moment for me,'' he said.

''I have done well in the ODIs and hope to continue the same way in the Tests if I get a chance,'' the all-rounder said all set for his Test debut.

He believes he has a greater role to play in the Tests where he might be asked to ball for longer spells.

Asked to comment on the wicket, he said, ''The wicket looks flat and hard. There is no grass and low bounce.'' ''It is always a good thing for the batsmen if there is less swing and spin. I am working hard and hopefully I will live up to the expectations of the people,'' he said.

Asked to comment on the skipper, he said, ''Bashar is the most successful captain and we all look up to him. He is a good positive captain and we hope to do well under him.'' However, the 20-year old expressed concern that most of the players were sick and did not have match fitness. While Ashrafful has joined the team last night after recovering from a viral, three other players are still lying low with fever.

On whether they wanted a younger captain on Bashar's retirement from the ODI side, he played it safe, saying it was the selector's job.

Hasan belongs to the younger breed of cricketers from Bangladesh who believe in slam-dunking the opposition with aggressive batting on the field.

UNI