Lackluster batting leads to downfall

Batsmen confused about shot selection: Mash

Bangladesh bolstered the batting strength in order to stem the batting rot but it didn’t work for them in the second match as they were undone by South African might yet again to concede the T20 series by 2-0 yesterday.
The batsmen’s lackluster batting was the reason behind Bangladesh’s 52 runs defeat in the first match and therefore the team management decided to field eight batmen, axing a bowler, thinking that the South African batting line up would not stumble everyday.
Bangladesh’s calculation was right. The South African batsmen didn’t falter for the consecutive second time. They come out all guns blazing though some extraordinary effort from Bangladeshi spinners restricted them to 169 for four, a yet another achievable target for the hosts.
Sohag Gazi who showed an unimpressive performance on his return to international cricket in the first match was replaced by Rony Talukdar, an opener who had to bat at No. seven position finding no place at the top.
As there were eight batsmen in the team and the target was not too tough, there was ray of hope that Bangladesh could level the series, avoiding the whitewash. The belief was strengthened once the openers put up 46 runs in the first powerplay. However the rot began when the batsmen tired to force a shot. There was repeated call of not playing one shot too many given the slower nature of the wicket but no one seemed to pay heed to it.
Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza saw a problem in shot selection as he stated that the batsmen were confused about when to play the shots. According to Mashrafe the lack of exposure in the Twenty20 cricket still made the batsmen confused about the right shot selection.
“We couldn’t take the decision according to the situation despite getting a good start. I think the batsmen were not sure when they should play their shots. It happened because we don’t get the opportunity to play Twenty20 cricket more often. So the problem continues,” Mashrafe the captain for Bangladesh T20 and ODI cricket told the reporters after the match.
“Another problem was that we don’t have power hitter down the order like the other teams and that’s why we needed to accelerate the scoreboard early in the innings.”
After a solid opening stand, it was just a matter of a stand in the middle order which could ensure Bangladesh’s victory. But like the first match, the Bangladesh didn’t find any significant partnership in the middle and invited their downfall.
Mashrafe however blamed their fielding after the fielders conceded too many runs. The ground fielding was nowhere to international standard. In contrast the South African fielding was as usual world class. The Proteas was energetic in fielding and even took some tough catches. According to Mashrafe, fielding was another arena that made the difference between the two teams.
“There are some positives. And we have to learn from our mistakes too,” Mashrafe said, “It was an off day as a fielding ground.”
The form of Mushfiqur Rahim however was a concern for Bangladesh, specially when the three-match ODI series and two-match Test series is approaching. Mashrafe however had the full faith on Mushfiqur that the batsmen, earmarked as the best batsman for Bangladesh at the moment, would regain his form at some point of the series.
He however was hopeful to comeback in the one-dayers, stating they find the ODI format to their likings particularly.
 “Hopefully we’ll come back in the one-dayers. We haven’t played too many T20s recently. Not an excuse. We just have to improve. We’ve just been concentrating on ODIs and Tests. As a professional team though, we have to come and perform. We have to fight. We couldn’t fight here at all. But hopes the situation will be changed in the ODI series,” remarked Mashrafe who thought that they got a idea about their standard in Twenty20 cricket after playing those two matches.
“There is World Twenty20 ahead so we need to work out on our style in this format. Atfer the Test series against Australia, we’ll work on that.”

Lackluster batting leads to downfall

Batsmen confused about shot selection: Mash

Bangladesh bolstered the batting strength in order to stem the batting rot but it didnt work for them in the second match as they were undone by South African might yet again to concede the T20 series by 2-0 yesterday. The batsmens lackluster batting was the reason behind Bangladeshs 52 runs defeat in the first match and therefore the team management decided to field eight batmen, axing a bowler, thinking that the South African batting line up would not stumble everyday. Bangladeshs calculation was right. The South African batsmen didnt falter for the consecutive second time. They come out all guns blazing though some extraordinary effort from Bangladeshi spinners restricted them to 169 for four, a yet another achievable target for the hosts. Sohag Gazi who showed an unimpressive performance on his return to international cricket in the first match was replaced by Rony Talukdar, an opener who had to bat at No. seven position finding no place at the top. As there were eight batsmen in the team and the target was not too tough, there was ray of hope that Bangladesh could level the series, avoiding the whitewash. The belief was strengthened once the openers put up 46 runs in the first powerplay. However the rot began when the batsmen tired to force a shot. There was repeated call of not playing one shot too many given the slower nature of the wicket but no one seemed to pay heed to it. Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza saw a problem in shot selection as he stated that the batsmen were confused about when to play the shots. According to Mashrafe the lack of exposure in the Twenty20 cricket still made the batsmen confused about the right shot selection. We couldnt take the decision according to the situation despite getting a good start. I think the batsmen were not sure when they should play their shots. It happened because we dont get the opportunity to play Twenty20 cricket more often. So the problem continues, Mashrafe the captain for Bangladesh T20 and ODI cricket told the reporters after the match. Another problem was that we dont have power hitter down the order like the other teams and thats why we needed to accelerate the scoreboard early in the innings. After a solid opening stand, it was just a matter of a stand in the middle order which could ensure Bangladeshs victory. But like the first match, the Bangladesh didnt find any significant partnership in the middle and invited their downfall. Mashrafe however blamed their fielding after the fielders conceded too many runs. The ground fielding was nowhere to international standard. In contrast the South African fielding was as usual world class. The Proteas was energetic in fielding and even took some tough catches. According to Mashrafe, fielding was another arena that made the difference between the two teams. There are some positives. And we have to learn from our mistakes too, Mashrafe said, It was an off day as a fielding ground. The form of Mushfiqur Rahim however was a concern for Bangladesh, specially when the three-match ODI series and two-match Test series is approaching. Mashrafe however had the full faith on Mushfiqur that the batsmen, earmarked as the best batsman for Bangladesh at the moment, would regain his form at some point of the series. He however was hopeful to comeback in the one-dayers, stating they find the ODI format to their likings particularly. Hopefully well come back in the one-dayers. We havent played too many T20s recently. Not an excuse. We just have to improve. Weve just been concentrating on ODIs and Tests. As a professional team though, we have to come and perform. We have to fight. We couldnt fight here at all. But hopes the situation will be changed in the ODI series, remarked Mashrafe who thought that they got a idea about their standard in Twenty20 cricket after playing those two matches. There is World Twenty20 ahead so we need to work out on our style in this format. Atfer the Test series against Australia, well work on that.