We were always behind in the game: Shakib

Bangladesh Test and T20I skipper Shakib Al Hasan admitted that the Tigers were always behind in their chase of a steep target against New Zealand in their T20I tri-nation series encounter in Christchurch on Wednesday. 

Chasing a mammoth 209-run target, Bangladesh were restricted to 160 for seven despite a fifty from skipper Shakib.

"New Zealand put on a very good total and we were always behind in the game. But we should have scored maybe 15-20 more runs to close down the gap more as that would have been ideal," Shakib said at the post-match presentation following their 48-run loss to New Zealand that saw the Tigers crash out of the Tri-nation series. 

Shakib pointed out the area the Tigers have been struggling in recently.  

"We kept on losing wickets in the middle and that cost us the game. If you look at our last three games, it has been the same pattern. After 10 overs, we have been losing wickets consistently. We lose wickets every two overs and that is not helping us in getting the momentum and we are left forcing to build innings," Shakib added. 

Bangladesh got off to a promising start on a sporting wicket at the Hagley Oval today. The Tigers, despite losing both their openers, scored 52 in the Powerplay -- the most they have scored in the first six overs in the series. 

But the Tigers lost way in the middle. Bangladesh were 90 for two approaching the halfway stage of the game. From there, the Tigers lost wickets in a cluster and were reduced to five for 120 in 14.2 overs. 

Shakib fought valiantly but his 44-ball 70 did not amount to much as no other batter could capitalise on their starts. 

Bangladesh have one more game to play -- against Pakistan tomorrow -- in the series. And Shakib hoped to end the series on a positive note ahead of the T20 World Cup in Australia later this month.  
 
"We are not that far [from forming a settled playing eleven], we have a few areas we need to fix. Actually, we do not have many options to be honest. We know what exactly the World Cup team is, we were just trying to give some guys a game to understand the best combination for the World Cup. We'll approach tomorrow to try and win the game. That's why it is an important game tomorrow," Shakib said.