Bangladesh forgot to win with Afghanistan. The venue changes, the version changes but the result remains the same. Bangladesh lost badly to Afghanistan in the first ODI of the series last night in Sharjah. Mehdi Hasan Miraj is not too upset about it.
In June, Afghanistan played the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup after defeating Bangladesh. The picture has not changed even though they faced each other in the ODI version almost five months later. Bangladesh trailed by 1-0 in the first ODI of the series in Sharjah by 92 runs. If they lose the second ODI tomorrow at the same ground, Bangladesh will lose the series one match earlier.
Miraj said while speaking to the media in Sharjah in the afternoon in such a situation when the fear of series loss is working for Bangladesh. In response to the question whether Bangladesh is getting worse in 'Afghan-juju' or not, Miraj said, 'You see, we have won a lot with Afghans before. I won in ODI too. It was the first match of the World Cup. I have won the T20 in the country. I won the series in the country. So it's not like we lose a match that means all our achievements are gone.'
Chasing a target of 236 runs, Bangladesh were 120 runs for 2 wickets in 26.4 overs. Two set batters Shant and Miraj were still at the wicket. In such a situation, their (Shant-Miraj) partnership of 55 runs was broken in the third wicket with the departure of Shant. From here, Bangladesh will be torn apart. Nazmul Hossain Shantar's Bangladesh finished with 143 runs in 34.3 overs. Mirage is taking the responsibility on their own shoulders, 'All teams are of good quality in international cricket. You can never underestimate a team. We played a bad match and lost. The wicket did not treat us as well as we expected. We are taking responsibility. We were set batters. We should have finished.'
Liton Das was not included in the squad for the ODI series against Afghanistan due to illness. Mushfiqur Rahim was dropped from the series after playing the first ODI. In such a situation, Bangladesh is suffering from a shortage of experienced wicketkeeper batters. Zakir Hasan, Zakir Ali and two wicketkeeper batsmen are right. But they are not that experienced. Zakir played one ODI. Zaker has not made his ODI debut.
Mirage mentioned Liton and Zaker while talking about possible changes in Bangladesh's XI for the second ODI. The star all-rounder of Bangladesh said, 'Look at the coordination of the team. We don't have many options. Liton Das is ill. The balance of the team would be better if he was there. Since there is no such chance, best wishes for Zaker Ali Anik. A good opportunity is coming for him. If he can give 100%. Good for his own career. Good for the country.'
