Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan pointed out the batting failure as the main reason behind the Tigers’ comprehensive five-wicket defeat against Sri Lanka in their Asia Cup opener in Pallekele yesterday.
The Tigers were bundled out for a meagre 164 runs in 42.4 overs after electing to bat. Najmul Hossain Shanto’s 89-run knock remained the only notable performance from the Bangladesh batters.
According to Shakib, the Bangladesh batters failed to read the surface properly, saying a total in the range of 220-230 would have been a decent one to defend.
“It wasn’t a 300-run wicket. If we could post 220-230, it would’ve given us more chance,” Shakib said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
Shakib, who gloved one back to the wicketkeeper after scoring just five off 11 deliveries to leave the Tigers reeling at three for 36, realised his contribution with the bat left a lot to be desired but mentioned that it was a collective batting failure.
“I think I have more responsibility [with the bat]. But, today, I couldn’t do that, unfortunately. However, we did not bat well as a unit and that cost us the game. We have to regroup ourselves as we have got another important game in a couple of days. We have to learn from this and we have to take those learnings into the next game in order to do better,” Shakid added.
The opening pair featuring debutant Tanzid Hasan Tamim and Naim Sheikh failed to provide a steady start and Shakib’s dismissal early in the innings saw pressure mount up on the Tigers.
The Tigers’ next group stage game against Afghanistan on September 3 in Lahore has now turned into a do-or-die scenario for Bangladesh. And, Shakib only hopes that his troops can rectify their mistakes by that time and keep their Super Four hopes alive.
“There were a lot of nerves when we started the game. As we kept on batting, the atmosphere in the dressing room became more comfortable by the 20th over. Lots of players are playing the Asia Cup for the first time in front of the away crowd. I hope they will learn from those and look forward from here on,” he said.
Shakib also talked about his faith in the team members, who he thinks can show their mettle on the biggest of occasions.
“They are definitely playing some good cricket and that’s why they are in the dressing room. I don’t have any doubt about them, but it’s just about them being able to perform on the biggest occasions,” Shakib added.
Defending a small total, Bangladesh bowlers impressed early on as they removed the top three Sri Lankan batters to leave the hosts reeling at 43 for three inside the Powerplay. Pacer Taskin Ahmed castled opener Dimuth Karunaratne in the third over of the game while left-arm seamer Shoriful Islam, and Shakib picked up a wicket each to inject some energy and hope into the Tigers’ camp.
“When they [Sri Lanka] were three down upfront, we needed a couple more wickets at that time. But, unfortunately, we couldn’t get those. Bowlers, both spinners and pacers, have been doing their jobs for quite some time now as they kept on attacking the batters. We picked up wickets but didn’t have enough on the board,” Shakib regretted.
