Lop-sided challenge for Tigers

Expectations were high ahead of the World Cup in England but upon the team’s return home yesterday, captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza spoke of his disappointment of not meeting their own expectations in the coveted tournament, although he lauded the poise from the youngsters.

Aside from Shakib Al Hasan, Mehedi Hasan Miraz, Sabbir Rahman and Liton Das, all of whom are currently on vacation, the rest of the Tigers departed from Heathrow Airport on July 6.

Following their quarterfinal exit in the 2015 edition, the Tigers left for the ongoing World Cup with high hopes of reaching the semifinals for the first time in history.

The accumulation of experience and the fact that the team won their first multi-nation tournament just ahead of the World Cup during a tri-series on their tour of Ireland, where they beat West Indies in the final, provided the team with impetus going into the showpiece event.

Expectations were further justified when they began their campaign with a win against South Africa. However, results did not go their way when it mattered most. Given the format, where all ten teams played each other in the group stage, it was always going to be a tough ask. Yet, the Tigers finished well below the expected mark, ending in eighth place after having targeted a semifinal berth.

“We went there with expectations and from that point of view it is disappointing. If we look at the whole World Cup and how we played, if some things went in our favour, we could have played the semifinals. Overall it was a positive experience but at the same time, the expectations were higher and from that point of view, it was disappointing,” Mashrafe told reporters yesterday upon his arrival at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka.

The close defeat to New Zealand and the washed out match against Sri Lanka certainly played a hand but Mashrafe took responsibility nevertheless.

“As a captain, when the team does not fulfil expectations, then I will have to accept criticism. Of course I am taking full responsibility and at the same time it is normal that there will be criticism anywhere in the world after a big tournament,” the inspirational skipper added.

While his disappointment was evident when he suggested that ‘the chips were down’ in crucial matches, Mashrafe spoke highly of the youngsters’ efforts and said they should not be blamed, adding that some could match the levels of the current Big Five.

“It’s always the young players who are particularly blamed. Those who are seniors now, they were young once and not as consistent as they are now. The youngsters now are playing with a level of consistency and under a kind of intense pressure that we did not have to face when we were young,” Mashrafe said, referencing younger players like Mohammad Saifuddin, Mehedi, Mustafizur and Liton Das.

“So, they cannot be blamed unilaterally. They tried very hard. It is a big stage and it is not easy to perform here. I am hoping that with more experience they will reach the levels shown by Shakib, Tamim, Mushfiqur and Riyad.”

Lack of consistency played a key role for the captain in their campaign, which could have ended differently. However, Shakib Al Hasan performed magnificently throughout the tournament and the captain duly credited his star all-rounder.

“Shakib was outstanding. Shakib, Mushfiqur [Rahim], Mustafizur and Saifuddin played outstanding cricket. The others performed less consistently. At some particular points we needed luck to be on our side but that did not happen.”

"In Tests, we see different scenarios. How the game went today, it was like in T20s," Bangladesh all-rounder Mehedi Hasan Miraz encapsulated what transpired in India's first innings on day four of the second and final Test at Green Park Stadium in Kanpur yesterday.

The home side scaled new heights, moving from one world record to another in an enticing and fast-forward day of Test cricket. India, leading the series 1-0, had two days to win a match, and while many might have naively expected a draw after two days of rain, the hosts surpassed all expectations.

First came the fastest 50 by a team, then the fastest 100, 150, and 200 followed. Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal started it, and the others maintained that mode of batting as a Test match turned into T20 cricket after Bangladesh had made 233 in the first innings, courtesy of Mominul Haque's unbeaten 107.

India batted for 34.4 overs, just over a session. They scored 285 for nine to not only ensure a lead in the quickest time possible but also declared to pick up two Bangladesh wickets: opener Zakir Hasan and nightwatchman Hasan Mahmud.

It was a very different Test experience for the likes of Khaled Ahmed, hit for two sixes in his first two deliveries this series, or even Mehedi Hasan Miraz and the experienced Shakib Al Hasan.

Miraz admitted that they went into T20 mode too, and it was what he and Shakib both did. He bagged a four-fer along with Shakib to dent India's rapid scoring, but it was still difficult. Talking about his dismissal of Rohit Sharma, who was looking menacing, he said: "The way he started with a first-ball six, it was a challenge to bowl. I tried to bowl in T20 mode."

Talking about Shakib's four-fer, he said: "They batted in a T20 mindset, and since he's very successful in the format, he understood how to apply himself, and he got it from the very first over."

But the match scenario does not allow for more aggression from Bangladesh batters, who will have to face more than two sessions to save the match.

"The situation right now is that we have to think of safety first. We will try to bat as long as possible," Miraz felt.

But overall, it was a different kind of experience for Bangladesh. India batted at more than 10 an over in the first 10 overs faced. They just kept going, even as wickets fell.

"Before this, two days were foiled by rain. Obviously, this hasn't happened before, and it was new for me. There is a lot to learn from this match, and we have done that," he added.

Bangladesh ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan appears to be available to play the second and final Test in Kanpur, beginning tomorrow, despite widespread speculation regarding the condition of his fingers and whether he might play solely as a batter due to ongoing discomfort. 

He was supposed to be under observation, but coach Chandika Hathurusingha said yesterday that Shakib is eligible for selection, and he has no reports suggesting otherwise.

Shakib batted in the nets for a limited time yesterday. He mostly struggled but Shakib knows his tasks and typically only works on what he needs before games. He will have another day before the match to sort himself out. Hathurusingha was not aware of Shakib's issue, even though he did not turn up with the ball at the nets.

"I have not heard anything on Shakib, regarding any complaints," he said, informing that Shakib was available for selection.

"About Shakib Al Hasan there is no doubt at the moment. I haven't heard from my physio or anyone, so he is eligible for selection," Hathurusingha said.

Overall, the head coach was happy with Shakib's batting in the first Test.

"I am upset about not his (Shakib's) performance, but our overall performance and how we could have done better. I am sure that he also thinks that he can perform better and we all know what he is capable of," said the coach.

"I think he batted really well in the second innings. He couldn't go on, not because of lack of pride but for the sheer quality of the opposition," the Lankan coach added.

That quality of the opposition has been a little daunting since Tigers themselves were in pretty good vein of form after a historic Test series sweep in Pakistan.

The approach of the batters have been under the magnifying glass. There was a team meeting in Chennai after the first Test to dissect mistakes the batters made.

"The concern is what we talk about whether we do that (convert their starts) in the middle and we normally talk about if you get a start make it big; and that's the biggest concern. Some of the guys are playing 30 to 40 balls, and in cricket the hardest thing is to get in."

It was also a case of the team management, especially the head coach, on what the batters learned from the conditions in the last match at Chennai.

The openers have gotten starts but not made it big. They had applied themselves and not only got in but settled fluently to put pressure on India. Yet, the India attack can produce deliveries that can win games of cricket. Jaspit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj or Ravichandran Ashwin do that on a regular basis. There is a lot of hard thinking to do.

Asked if he went into specifics, especially of top-order debacle, he said: "We spoke about it [specifics]. They spoke about what they learned from the condition and oppositions. We are a good side and you will see a better approach and understanding of what the opposition are trying to do."

There is the possibility of low bounce. Is Taijul Islam being readied? The Tigers have a day to consider all the aspects as Kanpur heats up under the boiling sun in what could be a gruelling contest for the Tigers.

All-rounder Mehedi Hasan Miraz made a return to the T20I side after a 14-month hiatus, while opener Parvez Hossain Emon and left-arm spinner Rakibul Hasan were also called up as Bangladesh announced a 15-member squad today for the three-match T20I series against India, starting in Gwalior on October 6.   

The Tigers will be without the services of star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan who announced his plan to retire from the format on Friday.

Squad: Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain), Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Parvez Hossain Emon, Towhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah, Liton Kumar Das, Jaker Ali Anik, Mehedi Hassan Miraz, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Rakibul Hasan.