Tigers experiencing the flip side of adaptation to T20s?

Bangladesh's batting performances in two games of the ongoing Asia Cup do not reflect the team's record in their favoured format, having won 10 of 15 ODI series since the 2019 World Cup.

First, Bangladesh batters were found wanting in their tournament opener against Sri Lanka in Kandy. On Wednesday in their Super Four game, their innings against Pakistan again ended before 40 overs after electing to bat first in a flat deck with true bounce.

Bangladesh, playing with eight recognised batters and a tail that cannot be trusted to cheap in with odd cameos, were four down by the end of 10 overs against Pakistan. Despite a century stand between Shakib and Mushfiqur Rahim, the team total fell short of 200.

The inclination of top-order batters to remain unfazed and keep attacking despite periodically losing partners at the other end is down to "the impact of T20 cricket", according to Bangladesh assistant coach Nic Pothas. 

"I don't think it is anything new and all the teams are doing that and that is the impact of T20 cricket I think any side and if you look at all the teams in Asia Cup and there will be no difference in World Cup that all batters and bowlers are looking for advantage and all the teams will come hard in the first power play and so it is not something that we do I think it is just the way world at the moment cricket runs," he had said at the press conference after the Pakistan game.

The Tigers' batting flourished against Afghanistan in a must-win match to stay in the tournament. A 334 for five against Afghanistan's quality spinners garnered praise but Shakib Al Hasan and Co could not carry the momentum of an 89-run victory against a strong Pakistan outfit.  

While Sri Lanka inflicted damage with a couple of unconventional bowlers, Pakistan pace trio lived up to their reputation at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. However, given the nature of dismissals, most of the Bangladesh batters have only themselves to blame.  

Bangladesh's Towhid Hridoy is clean bowled by Pakistan's Haris Rauf (not pictured) during the Asia Cup 2023 in Lahore on September 6, 2023. Photo: AFP

Pothas opined the "decision-making" of the batters was of paramount importance against Pakistan and that it was always going to be a challenge for the Tigers since they are a team "in transition" as the search for a settled playing eleven continues for Bangladesh ahead of the fast-approaching World Cup.

"We probably didn't make the right decisions at the right time for these conditions," added the South African.

The Tigers have won all three of their T20I assignments since the T20 World Cup in Australia. Bangladesh handed a series whitewash to England and Afghanistan while winning 2-1 against Ireland. Meanwhile they have lost the ODI series against both England and Afghanistan at home recently.

As the modern-day batters constantly adapt to the demands of the time, with the need to frequently innovate and often reinvent themselves, however, under no circumstances they can afford to sidestep the fundamentals.