SA chase highest ODI runs without losing any wicket
Bangladesh bowlers disappointed again
Sports Reporter
While the expectation on the bowlers was sky high following their ruthless performance in the last two years, they continued to be disappointing in the South Africa tour. The bowlers including Mustafizur Rahman were sheer frustrating in the Test series but it was expected that they would make a strong comeback in ODI series given their likings and adaptability to the format.
Mustafizur Rahman wasnt in the squad in the first match and may miss the whole series following his ankle injury, but the other bowlers couldnt live up to the expectation as South Africa comfortably mow down a 279-run target in 42.5 overs to win the game by 10 wickets. Much to the shamble of Bangladesh, it was the highest chase without losing any wicket.
Bangladesh bowlers even couldnt create a chance until late when South Africa almost cruised but they dropped two chances in that period.
Watching the bowlers performing so badly, Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza however called for an improved performance from them if Bangladesh are to do well in the rest of the series.
We have a chance to make a comeback in the next two games, Mashrafe said. It is only natural to have a lot of talk around us but the players have to fight. We will do everything possible. The result is not coming in our favour which makes it hard to keep the positive mentality.
I think they would have chased the total regardless, but we should have taken at least five or six wickets in the process. It may have put them under some pressure, but our bowling was just disappointing. It will be hard for us to do well if we keep bowling this way.
De Kock was particularly severe on debutant Mohammad Saifuddin, taking him for seven fours, while Rubel Hossain was hit for four fours. Amla, meanwhile, took a liking to Taskin Ahmed and collected four fours off him.
Even Bangladeshs best bowler, Shakib Al Hasan, could bowl only 15 dot balls to the South Africa openers, and conceded 48 runs from his eight overs.
Mashrafe and Shakib werent part of the Test attack, but even their relatively fresher mentality didnt help the cause. Mashrafe pointed out that the bowlers werent able to build enough pressure to make a breakthrough.
In ODIs, bowling in partnerships becomes more important. You cant keep leaking runs from one side because the one who is bowling well then can be taken for ones and twos. What we missed today was pressure from both ends, especially in the middle overs. But we couldnt do it from start till end.
Mashrafe brushed aside any extra pressure ahead of the game when Mustafizur Rahman became unavailable due to an ankle injury.
We were aware of their injuries from yesterday. Mustafizur is probably out of the series from the time he got hurt yesterday. We waited for Tamim till the last moment, but the physio didnt want to take a risk. Our body language didnt reflect anything untoward when we started the day. We batted almost as planned; Shakib and Mushfiqur took responsibility by performing their roles properly.
