'Getting out after 30, 40 runs is a big crime'

Generally known for resorting to a more balanced approach in press conferences, a seemingly frustrated Mushfiqur Rahim, didn't have too many positive statements in his armoury after the Tigers completed a rare draw against India yesterday.

After all, it's difficult to be optimistic when a team with eight batsmen, on a decent batting track, gets bundled out in a little over 50 overs.

"It's a big crime when a batsman gets out after scoring 30 or 40 runs on this kind of a wicket. It gets difficult," said the sorry-looking Test skipper.

"In Test cricket you need to analyse and know when to go against a bowler and when to defend. It's not as though our top order hasn't scored runs by playing aggressively in the past, they should have been cautious with two off-spinners bowling in tandem.

"They made bad decisions and that's why they got out. I guess we can only learn to do that as we play more Test cricket. Our first target today was to avoid the follow-on, but unfortunately we couldn't do that," he added.

He was harsh on his bowlers as well and claimed that their inconsistent line and lengths made it difficult for him to set a field.

"In countries like Australia and England by the time a bowler comes to this level, he is expected to be able to tell the captain what his plan is or how he wants to set up a batsman so that the captain can set a field. We have a big gap in that area. Bowling on either side of the wicket doesn't help," said Mushfiqur.

"A bowler needs to be consistent so that we can set a field. If we set a field for full length deliveries and he bowls a short-pitched delivery, the captain may look foolish," he added.

He was also disappointed to have seen his bowlers give away so many runs in the first innings of the Test match.

"One can't just leak runs at four or four and a half runs an over. It becomes difficult to comeback from there. If an opponent scores 300 to 350 runs in a day, it becomes difficult," said Mushfiqur.

While Bangladesh may have earned only their second draw against India, the tour hasn't begun the way that the Tigers would have hoped for. The question that remains now is whether the hosts can use the format that they are more comfortable in to turnaround their fortunes.