What are the challenges for Bangladesh for turning around and squaring the T20 series? Do they have the right planning, appropriate resources, in depth quality and class to implement the strategy? Do they have the right attitude, temperament and positive mindset?
These are what to be answered and proved today when Bengal tigers meet African Lions at the Tigers den at Shere Bangla (Tiger of Bengal) National stadium.
No denial South Africa is vastly superior side in all department of the game. But beating them in any format is not like reaching the moon and mars. Proteans are not aliens, they are also mortals. We liked very appropriate comments of young Bangladeshi batsman Soumya Sarkar in press briefing.” We implemented plans for bowling and fielding well but we failed to bat according to plan”. So sound planning was half done, but for the other half Bangladesh required positive mindset and total commitment. Bangladesh batsmen wanted to blow out South Africans playing against the nature of the wicket, underestimating the oppositions bowling resources.
The outcome was obvious .Bangladesh embraced crushing defeat. Chasing 149 runs on any surface against any attack in a T20 match was not beyond Bangladesh grasp. 
Bangladeshi batsmen simply failed. We are not sure captain courageous Mashrafee was right about his opinion about the wicket. The wicket was slow turning track. Perhaps it was doctored by Bangladeshi curator upon prescription of the team think tank to restrict free flowing South African batsmen and neutralizing their bowling fire power. Bangladesh packed their attack with spinners though they opted to ignore their tramp card young leg spinner Jubair. Mashrafee handled his resources very well.
Surprised, the opposition starting with double spin attack which brought immediate success. Wonder boy Mustafiz produced few magic balls. Edges from tentative prods of both Duminy and du Plessis either fell short or Mushfique failed to anticipate sharply. Bangladesh looked a bit overcharged in the field making few ordinary fielding lapses. South Africans led by its captain du Plessis adjusted to the character of the wicket. Bangladesh could not fully capitalize the early successes. Yet chasing successfully and overhauling the 149 target with 8 genuine batsmen including Sohag Gazi was not like walking across Mount Everest. Hence what Mashrafee said about the turning track and Bangladeshis not used to batting in such surfaces could not be accepted as an excuse. Rather his statement,’ they could do it, we could not was far more appropriate”.
What was Bangladesh plan in batting? Did they want to blast out South Africans? That was definitely not the right strategy. Why Tamim tried to poke a delivery which was going down the leg side? Why Soumya had to try an ambitious stroke too early especially when Tamim was gone early. 
Mushfiqur and Shakib were the main stay in such situation to pilot Bangladesh to across and over the target. They were settling down to a useful partnership. Why Mushfique had to play that self-destructive stoke on a slow low wicket? To me that was the turning point.
Mushfiqur for some reasons lost his mind these days while batting and keeping wickets. Such a brilliant batsman needs some mentoring. Flamboyant Shabbir must consider himself a bit unlucky .He got out to a freak catch behind from a reverse sweep. He could have avoided playing those strokes before setting his eye in. Nasir was childish the way he got out. With 5 down and South Africans sensing the kill it was only Shakib who could bail Bangladesh out. But he too succumbed to a lazy paddle sweep. Bangladesh succumbed to its lowest T20 score at home of 96. I would say Bangladesh lost a golden opportunity to knock down and knock out formidable opposition in the very first round.
We hope Bangladesh has learnt lessons. Professionals quickly adjust to changing situations. .”Good works men never quarrels with their tools” is an old saying. Whatever is the nature of the wicket professionals have to play according to the demand of the situation? Captain and the team must have plan B and C ready. When Plan A fails B to be adopted. Bangladesh must try Jubair option today .If that works who knows Jubair Mustafiz combination may win the match for Bangladesh. If not there will be still some gains. Liton looked solid in the first ODI. 
Can he bat higher up the order at four in between Shakib and Musfique? Why not Liton keep wickets?
My team for the match would be-- Tamim, Soumya, Shakib, Liton, Mushfiqur, Shabbir, Nasir, Mashrafee, Jubair and Mustafiz.
Access to Players Dressing Room Must Be Exclusive?
Why do unscrupulous persons enter players exclusive room off and onbefore , during and after the match ? BCB responsible person must be held responsible for this? I remember once Imran Khan told me he did not allow even PCB President at his time to enter Pakistan dressing room. Dressing room is exclusive are of players to relax, regroup and comfort out. No one must enter. We heard a group of camera men went in for creating an advertisement. Mashrafee complained that security personnel often create nuisance. These create distraction and definitely affect concentration of the players. We hope that this is not repeated.
I will not rule out wounded tigers bouncing back in vengeance and playing aggressively for squaring the series. Bangladesh has nothing to lose in playing with positive mindset. They cannot win the series anyway. There will be no point seating back and getting more punches. Get up tigers punch back and knock down your fearsome opponent.
We know there are huge challengers in turning around and getting everything right .But Bangladesh cricket team can accept challenges very well these days and redeem.
BDST: 0900 HRS, July 7, 2015
AKA
