Good batting effort but issues remain

Tamim Iqbal hit back at his critics with a fine century, his second in three games, as Bangladesh posted 301-6 -- their highest total of the ongoing series -- in the third and final ODI against West Indies at Warner Park in Saint Kitts yesterday.

The foundation laid by the left-hander was accentuated by quickfire knocks from Mahmudullah Riyad and captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza as the Tigers posted a competitive score on a good batting track. Without a doubt, the batting display from the experienced trio gave Bangladesh bowlers a decent total to defend as they bid for winning the three-match series, but one could not overlook two major issues of concern in the Bangladesh batting.

When the experienced Tamim, who was criticised for his slow scoring rate in the second ODI which Bangladesh lost by three runs, bounced back strongly with yet another sensible hundred (103 off 124 balls featuring seven fours and a couple of sixes), his opening partner Anamul Haque proved unworthy of his captain's trust.

Anamul's struggling 31-ball 10 brought about the question of whether he would go into another long hibernation from international cricket. The 25-year-old right-hander was responsible for Bangladesh's clumsy start after Mashrafe had decided to bat first with an unchanged team in the series decider.

The Tigers scored only 37 runs in the first 10 overs losing the wicket of Anamul. The right-hander's struggle ended when he made an ordinary attempt to execute a hook against Jason Holder, only to hit it to Kieran Powell at mid-on. Before that, the way the right-hander negotiated the length balls from Holder and Sheldon Cottrell and blocked on the front foot reflected the technique of a novice batsman.

Since he made his comeback to the national side in January this year following a three-year absence, Anamul batted in seven innings and scores of 19, 35, 1, 0, 0, 23 and 10 only served to jeopardise his place in the side.

Tamim, however, was fantastic as he closed in on his 11th ODI hundred with a sweetly timed six over fine-leg off leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo before completing the three-digit figure with a single.

Then Mahmudullah and Mashrafe, who added 53 runs for the fifth wicket, took the charge to make sure West Indies conceded 96 runs in the last ten overs. Mahmudullah was unbeaten on 67 off 49 balls with five fours and three sixes while Mashrafe blasted four boundaries and a six in his 25-ball 36.

But Mashrafe batting at No. 6 for the first time in more than 10 years generated much curiosity as there were batsmen like Sabbir Rahman and Mosaddek Hossain in to follow. Lack of confidence might have been the reason Mashrafe decided to come ahead of the two young batsmen; which is not a good omen for the future of Bangladesh cricket.