DHAKA: It is do or die for squad today at SBNCS against touring English Lions after succumbing to professional English outfit in first ODI on Friday.
Chasing 310 for win Bangladesh seemed to be cruising smoothly with reassuring Imrul Kayes anchoring solidly and flamboyant Shakib blasting his way.
Bangladesh was walking along the dreams of a record setting win. Adrenalin was flowing till Shakib got out and the team collapsed with late middle order and tail failing to wag. Bangladesh lost the match.
With 39 runs required from 52 balls panicked tigers lost the last wickets for just 17 runs losing by 21 runs. Earlier while England batted 3 catches were dropped and three other catches were not tried. Otherwise England could be restricted to around 260-270 making the chase much easier.
England surged ahead and now looks a different and difficult proposition for Bangladesh turning around and saving the series. Victory has become the only option for Bangladesh to stay in the series. Given the form, fitness and team chemistry it appears the tasks won’t be easy at all.
England winning the toss and batting on a wicket of uneven bounce and some turn were in a tight situation losing three wickets for 61. England middle order especially against spin struggled in such situation. Debutant Northamptonshire professional Ben Duckett appeared struggling to find his fit in unknown condition against quality spinners.
Mashrafee kept on shuffling his spinners. Conspicously he held back his fastest bowler Taskin Ahmed till 25th Over. Ben Stokes promoted to number five launched savage counter attack unsettling the line and length of the spinners. His belligerent mood gave debutant enough time and opportunity getting over debutants nervous spell.
The pair stitched together a match winning partnership. The Taskin’s introduction could immediately strike gold if Mahmudullah an otherwise safe fielder could cling on to a scorching uppish drive. Stokes was at 69 at that time.
Following that drop Stokes was given another reprieve in the very next over. He skied a mistimed stroke only to be grasped by Musharraf Rubel. Ben Ducket could also be picked if not Rubel drop another easy catch. When a team drops three easy catches in a tight contest it creates huge reverse. Even then things were under reasonable control till the last stage.
Captain Buttler in his usual gay cavalier mood played a blinder of an innings. English score reached 309/8 which could easily be restricted to around 260. Chasing such a score against quality English attack and very professional out fit is not easy. But Bangladesh replied smartly. Tamim fell to his characteristic aggressive stroke to another debutant Jack Ball.
The premiere batsman in the recent time was in silky smooth form. His early return to dressing room especially in a large chase could be upsetting. But a changed Imrul Kayes looked hungry. He played some quality strokes all around. Aggressive Shabbir was looking dangerous till he fell to a brilliant catch in the boundary.
Mahmudullah and Mushfique were keys in such situations. They started building partnerships through smartly rotating the strikes. But English team having done extensive home works on Bangladesh batsmen trapped both Mahmudullah and Mushfque. Both got out sweeping leggie Adil Rashid when their innings were just flowering. Shakib looked in his silky form. His partnership with well-set Imrul started showing dreams for adoring tiger fans all over the world.
Run required was brought below the number of the balls. However heat and humidity started taking the toll. Imrul could hardly move and run singles. Few opportunities of doubles were missed. Shakib kept blasting the attack. At one stage when it appeared smooth sailing for Bangladesh became nightmare as soon as Shakib got out.
It was a sad blow at critical stage as silky Shakib could take the team across with his quality batting and world wide playing experience. In such a pressure cooker situation young Mosaddek and returnee to ODI after so many years could not deliver. Still Kayes was there. But none including Mashrafee could stay with Kayes. Finally Kayes was trapped by a smart wide delivery.
Bangladesh collapsed dramatically in a novish manner. When last wicket was picked Bangladesh was still 21 runs behind. Fielding was the difference. England grabbed all their catches and struck wickets directly when required. Bangladesh fielded very poorly, dropping catches, remaining confused in going the catches.
In slog overs Bangladesh bowling and fielding looked ragged. Eventually the match was lost. The second ODI about to start soon must see quality all rounder a late order dynamic batsman, more than useful spinner and a very smart fielder Nasir Hossain included in playing XI either in place of Musharraf Rubel or even Mosaddek.
A tried and tested Nasir can not and should not be compared with a youngster or Rubel. We have seen BCB President talking about team composition. He is not selector nor he has experience of judging players. Nasir is a player required in the situation For Bangladesh it is a must win game. England is not an invincible team. If only Bangladesh plays to potential there is no reason why Bangladesh can not turn around.
Bangladesh must bat to a plan, bowl and field much better Bangladesh collapsed twice in Mirpur on the day. With 39 runs needed to win from 52 balls, they lost their remaining six wickets for just 17 runs in the space of 6.3 overs. It cost them the match. But they could have secured victory much earlier had they also not dropped three catches and let three fall between fielders in the space of 18.4 overs
BDST: 2020 HRS, OCT 09, 2016
BD/RR
