Familiar woes undo Tigers

A top-order failure, failure to utilise the Powerplay, a lack of partnerships and dropped catches were features of the Bangladesh team in the second T20I.

After restricting the Tigers to a modest 115 for nine, Afghanistan rode on Hazratullah Zazai's unbeaten fifty to help the visitors register a comprehensive eight-wicket win and level the two-match series at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur yesterday.

Usman Ghani also added 47 runs during a 99-run second-wicket stand with Zazai, which lay the platform for the visitors.

Bangladesh's inconsistency in the shortest format was also again exposed as they crashed after winning the first T20I by a 61-run margin.

It was again the batting department that failed miserably after Mahmudullah Riyad won the toss and elected to bat. The fact that it was the hosts' fourth-lowest total at home when batting first and that the Tigers have been able to post over 150 only once in their last ten T20I reflects the entire situation.

"It wasn't a 160-run wicket but even if we could get 135 after being at 99 for four, we could have stayed in the game. Obviously, there were some concerns in the batting department. There is no doubt about that but the wicket wasn't easy to bat on today (Saturday)," Bangladesh head coach Russell Domingo said during the post-match press conference yesterday.

The Bangladesh batter raised questions with their approach and inability to adjust and change the game plan after losing early wickets.

Young Munim Shahriar may have realised the difference between domestic and international cricket as he once again found himself guilty of playing too many strokes before eventually paying the price. Naim Sheikh was still struggling to find his feet while the in-form Liton Das looked good until he perished after scoring 13.

Shakib Al Hasan looked shaky and threw away his wicket in ugly fashion when he played a nothing shot off Azmatullah Omarzai after scoring nine runs to leave Bangladesh struggling on 45 for four inside 10 overs.

A 43-run fifth-wicket stand between Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur Rahim, who played his 100th T20I for the Tigers, may have raised some hope, but they were also guilty of not being able to construct their innings. Mahmudullah was dismissed after scoring 21 while Mushfiqur top-scored with 30 off 25 balls.

From 92 for 5 in 15 overs, Bangladesh added just 23 runs and lost four wickets in the last five overs.

Bangladesh were sloppy on the field despite defending such a small total, dropping three catches, including chances to send back Zazai and Ghani.

"We dropped nine catches in the last five games (three ODI and two T20Is). If we knew what the issue was, we would probably try and do it right. Whether that is concentration, dealing with pressure or confidence, I am not sure. But this cost us in the World Cup and costs us in Test matches," he said.