Modern-Day Batting in One-Day Cricket - Evolution and Challenges: Bangladesh Need To Act Smartly While Batting In The Last Ten Overs

The art of batting in one-day internationals (ODIs) has undergone a dramatic transformation over the decades. The 1980s and early 1990s were marked by caution at the start of an innings. Batsmen would see off the new ball conservatively, setting the stage for an assault in the final overs. However, from the mid-1990s, the dynamics shifted significantly. With pitches increasingly favouring batsmen and playing conditions designed to benefit the willow-wielders, attacking the new ball bowlers during the powerplay became a common strategy.

In today's era of Twenty20 influence and heavier bats, early aggression is no longer a calculated risk—it is the norm. The modern batter is expected to dismantle the new ball attack, exploiting the field restrictions with an array of audacious strokes. Yet, cricket remains a game of conditions and contexts. There are times when the situation demands restraint, requiring teams to recalibrate their approach. Particularly on seamer-friendly tracks or under scoreboard pressure, teams must adapt, emphasizing composure over recklessness, and saving their firepower for the death overs.

Bangladesh's Inconsistent Batting in the Death Overs

Bangladesh, one of the most improved sides in limited-overs cricket, has embraced modern batting principles, showcasing their ability to attack new ball bowlers. Yet, when it comes to the final ten overs—the death overs—they often falter. This inconsistency has cost them dearly in recent years.

In the first ODI against England in Mirpur, they collapsed spectacularly against Jake Ball after building a solid platform. A similar scenario unfolded in the third ODI at Chittagong, where they lost momentum after the 40th over, ultimately handing the series to England. Conversely, when Bangladesh managed to bat intelligently during the death overs, the results were vastly different. Who can forget their gritty recovery from 169 for 7 in the second ODI against England in 2016 or their ruthless acceleration in the first ODI against Sri Lanka at Dambulla in 2017? These instances underline the importance of strategic batting in the latter stages of an innings.

The Dublin Debacle: A Case Study

In their tri-series match against New Zealand at Dublin, Bangladesh faced a prime opportunity to test their batting mettle. Accepting Tom Latham’s invitation to bat on a seaming pitch, Tamim Iqbal and Soumya Sarkar launched a ferocious attack, taking the New Zealand pacers to task. Their opening partnership of 72 runs in the first 15 overs seemed to put Bangladesh on course for a formidable total.

However, the innings unravelled in the middle overs. Jimmy Neesham, Ish Sodhi, and Mitchell Santner struck vital blows, leaving Bangladesh reeling. A 64-run partnership between Mahmudullah Riyad and Mushfiqur Rahim brought some stability, but with 12 overs remaining, the stage was set for a late assault. Unfortunately, the much-anticipated onslaught never materialized. Bangladesh's lower order faltered, managing only 257 for 9—a total that was inadequate against a side like New Zealand, renowned for their ability to chase targets with clinical efficiency.

What Went Wrong?

The New Zealand bowlers’ strategy in the death overs was simple yet effective: they took pace off the ball, using variations to outsmart the Bangladeshi batsmen. Instead of adapting, Bangladesh's hitters fell into the trap of attempting slog shots, resulting in a series of mistimed dismissals.

What could have been done differently? The answer lies in tactical flexibility. When bowlers employ slower deliveries and variations, the key to maintaining momentum is strike rotation. By taking singles and doubles, the batsmen could have forced Latham to adjust his field settings, creating gaps in the outfield for potential boundaries. Instead of relying solely on brute force, Bangladesh needed to be proactive, building pressure on the opposition and setting a platform for the final flourish.

Beyond Batting: Bowling and Fielding Concerns

Bangladesh’s problems in Dublin were not limited to their batting. Their bowling unit lacked consistency, often bowling in disjointed patches. The fielding, too, was subpar, with a noticeable lack of urgency in stopping singles and cutting off boundaries. Given that this match came after an extended period of rest since the Sri Lanka series, their lethargic body language was puzzling. Such lapses, if not addressed, will undermine their ambitions in high-stakes tournaments like the Champions Trophy.

Lessons for the Future

For Bangladesh to cement their place among the elite in ODI cricket, they must address their deficiencies in the death overs—both with the bat and in the field. Intelligent strike rotation, adaptive shot selection, and sharper fielding will be critical.

More importantly, the Tigers need to harness their aggressive spirit without compromising on tactical awareness. The modern ODI demands a blend of power and precision, audacity and acumen. Bangladesh have shown glimpses of this balance, but to truly compete with the likes of New Zealand, England, and India, they must learn to execute their plans consistently under pressure.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar