Bangladesh forgot the importance of exhibiting resolve

Yet another poor batting display from Bangladesh……

In the twinkle of an eye, Bangladesh discovered themselves in dire straits against a red-hot Lasith Malinga in the opening encounter of Asia Cup. Liton Kumar Das and Shakib Al Hasan left the scene and when Tamim Iqbal was retired hurt, the situation became critical and what was required the most is resolve rather than rush of blood to stabilise the situation.

Just as the doctor ordered, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mohammad Mithun displayed the best of temperaments to pull Bangladesh out of the fire. Then Tamim’s gallant gesture aided Mushfiq to go for the kill and demoralize Sri Lanka from which they never recovered.

But within a few days, that same Bangladesh batting unit minus Tamim, are found wanting – they seem to be a ship without a radar as yet again, they surrendered meekly. At first, it was Afghanistan, who simply toyed with Bangladesh batters and then, today, it was India who left the Bangladesh batting lineup in tatters – 119 against the Afghans and 173 against India, are an indication of a team, who has forgotten to exhibit the resolve, which salvaged their pride against the Islanders.

In the 80s and 90s, resolve was much needed in 50-over formats. In this era of Twenty20, many teams think, going for the kill would help them to get out of the trouble, but the old style of batting is still useful in this age of power-hitting. In a Twenty20 match, a team may not need to cash in on building partnerships or spending a bit of time at the crease, but in 50-over formats, such qualities are still as valuable as gold.

Neither Liton nor Nazmul Hossain is Mr. Khan of Chittagong and for which they should have looked to see off the new ball and allow themselves to settle at the crease. But instead, Liton perished while attempting a compulsive pull and Nazmul was dismissed while poking at a delivery away from the body. Those deliveries from Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah were not unplayable ones, Liton and Namzul were in a friendly mood to throw their wickets away.

It invited an unnecessary pressure.

It was up to the senior members of the team to resuscitate the innings.

But it was never to happen.

Shakib and Mushfiq were batting with intent and, it seemed, they would dish out the partnership, which Bangladesh needed badly. But Shakib fell into the trap set by India. After executing a very well sweep shot, what Shakib needed was to curb his aggressive intent. But, in turn, Shakib went to scoop one out of the park against the similar type of delivery through the region where India had set a fielder. It was a poor cricket from the man, who has plenty of experience under his belt.

Mithun, the performer of match 1, succumbed against a benign delivery, which required to play on the back foot, but Mithun dragged his front foot forward before bat and was trapped lbw. Son, you are not considered in the team to exhibit such a lacklustre batting.   

Then it was time for Mushfiq to implode.

Without a doubt, Ravindra Jadeja’s accuracy had stranglehold the Bangladesh batsmen, but to get out of it, an unorthodox shot was not the way.

Jadeja packed the offside field and kept a gap in between square leg and mid on fielder while bowling to right-handers. Executing the ideal foot-work according to the merit of the ball and fetch singes would have helped to release the pressure. Sadly, Mushfiq decided to play a reverse sweep, which was again, an unnecessary attempt under the given circumstances.    

Bangladesh were left reeling at 65 for 5.       

Bangladesh looked up to Mahmudullah Riyad for the rescue act, but like his friends, he also scripted his downfall by exhibiting a wild-sweep. It was a poor shot selection, but he could have been saved as there was a big inside edge before the ball hit the pad. Sadly, Bangladesh had no review left and Riyad had to leave.

When a team starts to commit suicidal acts, even luck does not favour them.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Mashrafe Bin Mortaza gave Bangladesh innings some respectability, but to challenge one of the best batting lineups in the world, 173 was not enough. India thrashed Bangladesh in style.    

Bangladesh paid the price of their lack of resolve. Sticking to the basics have bailed them out of trouble many times in the recent past. The Tigers forgot it and the result was not satisfactory.     

Note: This article has been published at Cricketsoccer on 21/09/2018 Bangladesh forgot the importance of exhibiting resolve

Thank You

Faisal Caesar