Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim were the only resilient batters against Pakistan (Source: AP Photos)
The 1st game of the super fours took place at the Gaddafi Stadium at Lahore where Pakistan took on Bangladesh. The match ended in a one sided victory for Pakistan. Apart from some great contributions from Shakib and Mushfiqur Rahim the Bangladesh batters were no match for the Pakistan fiery pace attack. Bangladesh were eventually bowled out for a modest total of only 193. The target was easily chased down by Pakistan under 40 overs and emerged victorious by 7 wickets.
The approach by the Bangladeshi batters was very underwhelming where we saw them struggle and throw away their starts. Even though experienced players like Shakib and Mushfiqur made some good runs it was still important for them to play longer to achieve a much more dependable score on the board. Regardless of having only three batters who have played more than 50 ODI’s it was still a poor batting display by them.
Dismal Day for Bangladesh: The Story of Their Wickets Falling
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Bangladesh Fall of Wickets Analysis
The bowlers of Pakistan displayed an exceptional bowling performance, but we cannot excuse the Bangladesh batters' terrible approach. The wicket of Mehidy Hasan Miraz was a big example where lobbed a simple catch to mid wicket trying to glance. Liton das was a victim of feeling for a ball outside off stump with no foot movement at all. The following wickets of Mohammad Naim and Towhid Hridoy were terrible shot selections where Naim was early into the pull and Hridoy played across the line to a full and straight delivery.
Shakib was another victim of the short ball where he pulled it straight to mid wicket. Shamim Hossain was another victim of poor shot selection where he was caught at mid wicket by playing a needless slog to mid wicket. The wicket of Mushfiqur Rahim was the big wicket that Pakistan needed where he was also dismissed trying to play an aggressive shot down the ground. It was poor cricket since he had to stay at the crease and bat deep knowing he was one of the last remaining batters and was set.
The last three dismissals were just too good for the tailenders. Taskin gets out poking at an outswinger on a good length and edges it to the keeper. Afif Hossain who is quite capable with bat in hand was done by the pace where he top edges it to mid on and the last wicket was another full and fast one for Shoriful who couldn’t get bat to ball.
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Conclusion
It was always going to be a challenge for Bangladesh going into the tournament with an inexperienced batting line-up. The match against Pakistan was one of the games where nothing went right for them at all except for that partnership between Shakib and Mushfiqur. Batters like Mohammad Naim, Towhid Hridoy have shown some potential but are not enough to make big totals on the board. This will also put pressure on Shakib and Mushfiqur who had to carry the batting line-up.
In conclusion the Bangladesh staff and management might have to go back to the drawing board. If the batting department shows that much consistency it will be too much for the Bangladesh bowling attack as well who have looked promising so far. They will some more players to step up if they want to find better results in their future endeavours and get the right combinations.
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