Former Bangladesh captain and the current team director of the national team, Khaled Mahmud, said he is clueless about the batting collapse of the Tigers against Pakistan.
More than two days of the ongoing Test were washed away due to rain. Despite that, the Tigers look so fragile— as if they are unable to save the match even from this stage.
In reply to Pakistan’s first innings total of 300, Bangladesh lost seven wickets for 76 in 26 overs at the end of day four. They still need to score 25 runs to avoid a follow on in the Dhaka Test.
“I’m not sure why they batted like this,” Mahmud told during an interaction with reporters on Tuesday at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. “We did not see the batting that is ideal in Test cricket. It’s a matter of concern for us.”
Pakistan spinner Sajid Khan bagged six out of the seven wickets that Bangladesh lost on day four. It was the first five-wicket haul for Sajid in Test cricket.
“There was help for the spinners in the wicket, and their spinners were doing well too. But we have the ability to play against quality spinners. I’m not sure why we failed to play him, or why we were in a rush. We should have learned from Azhar Ali who batted really well,” Mahmud added.
On the fifth day, Bangladesh need to score 25 runs first to avoid the follow on, and then they have to look forward to saving the Test. In the first Test of the series in Chattoagrm, Bangladesh lost by eight wickets despite the maiden Test ton by Liton Das and a seven-wicket haul by Taijul Islam.
After this series, the Tigers will fly to New Zealand to play a two-match Test series against the hosts starting from January 1. The second Test of the series will take place from January 9.
When the Tigers are unable to pose any challenge for the tourists and the home, they will now have to face New Zealand— the champions of the last World Test Championship.
“I don’t want to say anything negative,” Mahmud said. “If we look back to the history, we were unable to do well in New Zealand. Not just us, but also the other Asian teams failed in New Zealand to do well. But it should not be an excuse. We should do well in New Zealand, and play our best cricket.”
Source: United News of Bangladesh