Rashid Khan against Bangladesh (Source: @ACBofficials/X.com)
Bangladesh dominated the T20I series against Afghanistan, but have now lost both the ODI series with one match still to go. In both the matches, their batting faltered, and Rashid Khan has bagged eight wickets in two matches.
Keep reputation aside - Spin coach's message for Bangladesh batters
Rashid Khan took a fifer in the second ODI, and Bangladesh batters looked clueless against the leg-spinner. Now, after the series loss, Bangladesh's spin bowling coach and Pakistan legend, Mushtaq Ahmed has asked his batters to focus on ball and not the bowler.
Mushtaq Ahmed stated that Bangladesh batters are playing Rashid Khan and not the ball. He added that Afghanistan's star is not a big spinner of the cricket ball but is an experienced and accurate bowler, and his batters need to improve quickly.
"I think they are playing Rashid, not the ball. He is not a big spinner of the ball. But he is very experienced. He is a wicket-taker. His line and length is very consistent. I think we have to sometimes play the ball, not the bowler. We have to improve quickly," Mushtaq told reporters as quoted by Cricbuzz.
Mushtaq Ahmed wants batters to focus on temperament
Mushtaq applauded Rashid Khan and his quality, but also emphasised the temperament. He stated that if a batter has temperament, one can tackle any bowler at the international level and as a batting unit, Bangladesh need to focus on playing the ball to merit and not give unnecessary attention to the reputation of the bowler.
"If you have great temperament you can play against any bowler in international cricket. Rashid has been very successful for many, many years for Afghanistan, but [at the] same time as a Bangladeshi batting unit, we should know how to play the ball, not the bowler," he said.
Thus, Mushtaq Ahmed has asked his batters not to fear Rashid Khan and not to get into the mental blockage while tackling him. The third ODI will be played on October 14, and Bangladesh will be hoping to finish the series on a high.
