Bangladesh's batting line-up collapsing is a very familiar scene. Even against Afghanistan at one point yesterday, when Bangladesh was progressing normally on the way to victory, everything went wrong in the blink of an eye. Nazmul Hossain Shanto is taking the responsibility of the collapse of the party in Sharjah.
Chasing a target of 236 in the first ODI of the series, Bangladesh's score at one stage was 120 for 2 in 25.4 overs. 8 wickets still in hand. Run rate required per over is 4.77. At that time, Shant got out while sweeping Mohammad Nabi's ball. The innings collapsed like a house of cards after the Bangladesh captain got out after scoring a personal 47 runs. Bangladesh finished with 143 runs after losing 8 wickets for 23 runs. Experienced batsmen like Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah Riyad also got out in single digits.
After the massive 92-run defeat, Shanto blames himself. At the prize distribution ceremony after the match, the Bangladesh captain said, 'My wicket made the difference. I was a set batter and then Mirage, even Soumya…we all got run out in the 30 to 40 range. In such conditions you have to bat for a very long time.'
After winning the toss, Afghanistan were under pressure to bat first. The Afghans became 71 runs for 5 wickets in 20 overs due to Bangladesh's aggressive bowling. Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi and Nabi then took control of Afghanistan in danger. Shahidi and Nabi contributed to a partnership of 104 runs off 122 balls for the sixth wicket. Nabi scored the highest 84 runs in Afghanistan's innings. This experienced Afghan batsman hit 4 fours and 3 sixes in the innings of 79 balls.
Shanto is regretting not being able to hold on to a great start in bowling. The Bangladesh captain said, 'The beginning of the bowling was good. I bowled well in 15-20 overs. Couldn't use it in the middle. Nabi has batted well. I don't think we should have been more aggressive in bowling. The bounce of the wicket was less.'
After Shanta, the second highest run in Bangladesh's innings came from the bat of Soumya Sarkar. Soumya scored 33 runs off 45 balls with 6 fours. In all, four Bangladeshi batsmen managed to cross double figures. Mehdi Hasan Miraj and Tawheed Hriday scored 28 and 11 runs.
