A haunting case of butterfingers

Bangladesh's catching has emerged as the major area of concern for the team management at the ongoing T20 World Cup, where fielders have failed to support the hard-working bowlers by dropping some easy chances in crucial moments since the first round.

Liton Das two dropped catches in Bangladesh's opening Super 12 game against Sri Lanka proved decisive, providing reprieves to match-winners Charith Asalanka and Bhanuka Rajapaksa, as the Tigers lost by five wickets despite having the game in their hands at one stage.

The bowlers kept things tight against the West Indies batters and created opportunities, making it seem that restricting the Windies below the 120-run mark was a possibility in their do-or-die encounter that would have kept hopes of a semifinal berth alive.

But the Tigers' butterfingers once again fumbled the momentum and the alarming part was that even the best fielders, the likes of Mahedi Hasan and Afif Hossain, were guilty of dropping three catches yesterday.

Following some brilliant bowling in the Powerplay overs, the West Indies could reach only 27 for three after six overs as the pressure began to mount on the batting side. But Mahedi, who bowled brilliantly, dropped a return catch off Roston Chase when he was on eight, a firmly struck shot from the right-hander going through his palms.

The West Indies were still struggling on 64 for five after 13 overs and just when the Tigers gained the momentum and needed to go for the kill, Bangladesh's poor catching changed the momentum.

The Tigers could have dismissed Chase and Nicholas Pooran in the 14th over, but Mahedi dropped an easier chance than the one he put down. Chase, on 27, struck Shakib Al Hasan straight to deep mid-wicket but Mahedi dropped the straightforward catch.

Liton, replacing the injured Nurul Hasan, continued his lean patch, this time behind the wickets. He missed a stumping chance to send back Pooran off Shakib's when the left-hander had made just one run.

Chase and Pooran went on to add a crucial 57-runs stand off just 33 balls to shift the momentum. Chase ultimately scored 39 while Pooran scored forty off just 22 balls with four sixes and a boundary.

Pacer Shoriful removed both Chase and Pooran off consecutive deliveries but he was denied a third wicket in the 19th over of the innings as Afif, regarded as one of the best fielders in the team, dropped a sitter at deep cover when Jason Holder was on one.

He went on to smash two sixes in the final over to Mustafizur Rahman as the West Indies added 72 runs in the last six overs of the innings.

Unless the team management can find a solution with fielding coach Ryan Cook, opponents will continue to snatch wins from the Tigers' jaws on regular basis.