T20 approach still the biggest concern
"We are trying, but things are not happening for us," were the words uttered by a timid Nasum Ahmed after Bangladesh's eight-wicket thumping at the hands of England in the 2021 World Cup in Abu Dhabi.
After exiting the last T20 World Cup with six defeats from eight encounters, the promise from the Bangladesh team management was that at least initial steps towards building a structure for the T20 squad would be taken before the next T20 extravaganza, which is scheduled for October-November later this year.
However, it is clear from every vantage point that not only has that promise not materialised, but Bangladesh are still in a similarly sorry situation in the shortest format as they were a year ago.
The way Bangladesh played during their 35-run defeat to the West Indies in the second T20I of the ongoing three-match series, which was considered the first step in preparations for the upcoming T20 World Cup in Australia, characterised the truth that Nasum blurted out during that presser -- Bangladesh are unable to make things happen.
The way Bangladesh played during their 35-run defeat to the West Indies in the second T20I of the ongoing three-match series, which was considered the first step in preparations for the upcoming T20 World Cup in Australia, characterised the truth that Nasum blurted out during that presser -- Bangladesh are unable to make things happen.
In fact, things did not even change in terms of how Bangladesh view themselves in the format. Last time, Bangladesh went into the T20 World Cup with a false sense of achievement, having registered 'historic series wins' over Australia and New Zealand in favourable home conditions.
As it stands, a similar bubble surrounds the players this time. Skipper Mahmudullah Riyad talked boldly about the 'settled T20 eleven' that the Tigers now possess before leaving for the West Indies.
Having a settled playing eleven essentially means that players are aware of their roles. That did not seem to be the case when, chasing a challenging 194-run target in the second T20I, the likes of Anamul Haque, Liton Das and Mahmudullah returned to the pavilion in a hurry, leaving the middle-order with the job of saving face.
Looking at the way the hosts structured their innings, it can be observed that it took more than just Rovman Powell's muscles to reach the daunting total. Before Powell overwhelmed the Tigers with an unbeaten 61 off just 28 deliveries, opener Brandon King somewhat bided his time after the West Indies lost two early wickets. That effort saw him score a fifty but also set the stage for Powell's carnage.
No discernible approach could be gauged from the Tigers' camp. Even Shakib Al Hasan's unbeaten 68 was more an attempt to help Bangladesh reduce the margin of defeat to something less embarrassing.
With the hosts leading the series 1-0, the Bangladesh team moved from Dominica to Guyana, where the final and series-deciding T20I is set to be staged on July 7.
Bangladesh could spring a surprise and end up winning the final game to level the series. But that would in no way solve the problems that have persisted in the Tigers' camp, chief among them, their questionable approach in T20Is.