A picture of disappointment

Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, while attending the post-match briefing, said at least eight times that it was disappointing that they lost the game and that they lost a big opportunity.

He has every reason to feel gutted after the way Bangladesh lost the second ODI against New Zealand at the Saxton Oval yesterday, and in the process the series, from an advantageous position.

 The 34-year-old gave Bangladesh the opportunity to win their first game on New Zealand soil with a bowling performance that rolled back the years to his heyday. His three wickets, including the prized scalp of Martin Guptill in the first over of the match, enabled the Tigers to restrict the Black Caps to 251 on a wicket where even 300 looked unsafe.

Bangladesh were well on course to a victory when Sabbir Rahman and Imrul Kayes took the score to 105 for one in 23 overs. But a comical run-out, followed by an inexplicable batting collapse, ruined what could have been a day to savour for the Tigers' fans.

“We were 105 for one and then it collapsed --84 runs for nine wickets [79 runs for nine wickets] was really disappointing. I think the bowling was fantastic; we set up the game nicely and the wickets we got were even better than the other match,” Mashrafe told reporters before returning to the same scenario while confronted with another question.

“That was the key moment for us. It was also the key moment for them. At 100 for one we were going nicely. We needed 150 runs from 27 overs. The two batsmen were going nicely before that run out; it was crucial for us,” Mashrafe said while recalling the comical run out when both Sabbir and Imrul were scrambling towards the non-strikers' end.

Asked how confident they were after restricting the Black Caps to a modest total, he said: “We were very confident. Batting second on this wicket was much easier. Even in the last match there was a bit of swing in the second innings. But it did not swing when they were bowling today. It was more like our conditions. We were pretty confident after the first five overs as the ball was not swinging. We scored 100-odd runs losing not too many wickets. So it is disappointing.”

These two pictures perhaps best depict Bangladesh's outing against New Zealand in the second ODI in Nelson yesterday. The Tigers were given a fantastic start by the bowlers to restrict the hosts to 251; however the batsmen faltered with little pressure and cost the visitors a match which was easily in hand. PHOTOS: bcb/AFP

He also lamented the missed opportunity.

“To be honest the sub-continent teams who come here look for this sort of opportunity. If you look at our two games -- in the first one maybe we conceded 40-50 runs too many. But we created an opportunity in that game. Today we also created that opportunity. We did not expect to lose from that situation. We certainly have lost a big opportunity. If we could have won the match we could have played more comfortably in our next game,” the captain said acidly.

He also observed that even after Sabbir was run out Bangladesh had a good chance to win the game.

“When Sabbir was run out we lost only our second wicket and it was not as if it was the fifth batsman. Somehow they could not click. I think we have lost a good opportunity,” he said. 

He was however not appreciative of the notion that most of the batsmen, save Mahmudullah Riyad, gifted their wickets.

“I won't say that the players have gifted their wickets. Maybe they were hurrying for runs and the batsmen can say what actually they were trying. I think they should have been a bit patient. After the departure of Sabbir others should have played cautiously to settle on this wicket,” the captain observed.

When asked how demoralising the defeat was for his team ahead of their final game at the same venue on Saturday, he said: “After losing from that situation it will be tough to make a turnaround. The boys may feel a bit low. Still, coming into these conditions and creating an opportunity is something we can take heart from before going into our next game. If we can create another opportunity and win the next game, it will be a big achievement for us,” said Mashrafe.

He also added that the absence of Mushfiqur Rahim was a blow but at the same time the skipper expected more responsibility from the other senior members of the team in his absence.

“Obviously, the absence of Mushfiqur was felt. Mushfiqur and Soumya were not in the team. They are the two batsmen who have contributed a lot for the last two years.  So, it was quite natural to expect additional responsibility from the other senior players,” said the disgruntled Bangladesh captain. 

He however appreciated the effort of young wicketkeeper batsman Nurul Hasan, who made his one-day debut in a game where two more cricketers made their Bangladesh debut.

“The way Sohan played he deserves some credit. It was unfortunate that he did not have anyone who could support him or someone that he could support,” concluded Mashrafe.