Bangladesh opener Zakir Hasan has said that he doesn’t see himself consistently playing the role veteran India batter Cheteshwar Pujara has played for India over many years as well. However, the keeper-batter stated that he can adopt that approach to build an innings. Notably, Pujara has been a huge part of India’s success in the longer format over the past decade due to his defensive approach at No.3 which often sees
he is wearing out bowling attacks as well. However, he was the highest run-getter during India’s maiden Test series win in Australia in
2018-19 and has performed quite well against the Aussies, at home and away as well.

Speaking to Cricbuzz, Hasan said, “Obviously, it can be there. But to me that depends team-wise and the strength of your team, what is your team’s strategy overall. What I saw, amongst the India team those who play Tests, their role is completely different. Pujara is the only one who has that ability, and the whole team trusts his ability that he will play for a long time and tire the bowlers. But if you look at our team, we can also adapt to that way too. But if you ask about me, all I can say is that I am not used to playing like Pujara but ultimately if you see me playing a big innings then I need some time so I try to take as much time as I need to build my innings.”

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The youngster had also scored a Test hundred on debut against India and also scored another fifty in the same series. He has smashed three more half-centuries since then and averages 32.50 in seven Tests as well. With the Test series against Pakistan around the corner, Zakir Hasan applauded the opposition’s pacers but added that Bangladesh are preparing for the challenge.

“If you look at the Pakistan bowlers they have always been really good… they have world-class bowlers. So if you play Test or any format against them, it will be tough and challenging to face their pace bowlers. At the same time, we are also working on that and have worked on that in the camps, and also seen the video analysis. So we have tried to take preparations accordingly,” he concluded.