‘Long way to go to challenge Pak’

"So, there is work to be done for all of us in that particular spot and with him [Tamim] it’s my first time so we have to see how it goes by in the T20 business."

Russell domingo

BANGLADESH COACH

Much like in the first T20I the Bangladesh batting department’s failures made the difference as the Tigers were unable to put up a fight and ended up losing the second game comprehensive by nine wickets to lose the three-match series 2-0 yesterday.

With this series in Pakistan seen as the start of the Tigers’ preparations for the T20 World Cup in Australia in October this year, it seemed that the Bangladesh think tank were nowhere near identifying a good composition.

The approach from the batsmen, especially experienced opener Tamim Iqbal, raised a lot of questions despite the left-hander top-scoring with a 53-ball 65 as Bangladesh posted a mediocre 136 for six, the second-lowest at the Gaddafi Stadium.

In the five-wicket loss in the first T20I, the Tigers posted 141 for five and played out 45 dot balls. Things did not improve in the second game as the Tigers failed to score off 47 deliveries. Both games also saw an overly conservative approach in the six Powerplay overs, with Bangladesh adding 35 without loss in the first match and 33 for two yesterday.

Russell Domingo was asked whether he was happy with the approach from the openers, especially Tamim who scored 39 off 35 in the first game, and the South African tried to defend the left-hander but also said that there was definitely some work to be done.

“Look, it’s a challenge as it’s my first tour with Tamim and I thought he has shown improvement in both innings. In the first game I thought we were 68 without loss after 10, which was okay. Today we just kept losing wickets at the wrong time so it was difficult for him to open up the game because the batters were batting with him were also scoring at a run a ball.

“So, there is work to be done for all of us in that particular spot and with him [Tamim] it’s my first time so we have to see how it goes by in the T20 business. We have all got things we can improve and the discussion with him needs to be to get forward and hope it take his game forward to the next level, but there is work to be done in this department as well,” Domingo told reporters after the defeat.

Pakistan openers Babar Azam (R) and Mohammad Hafeez celebrate after romping to a nine-wicket win in the second T20I against Bangladesh at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore yesterday. PHOTO: Collected

According to the 45-year-old, the difference in experience between Pakistan and Bangladesh has been huge and the Tigers need to catch up to their opponents in terms of skills. 

“The disappointment today [Saturday] was that I thought we challenged them [Pakistan] much more in the first game. Not an easy pitch to bat on as the average score was somewhere near 150-155. First game, we were maybe 15 runs short and today 25 runs short, but that’s why they are ranked number one and we are ranked number nine. At the moment there is a huge difference between the two sides in terms of experience and skill and I think we have a long way to go to catch them,” he said.

The head coach was also looking forward to the youngsters stepping up, saying that the likes of the experienced Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim will not be available forever.

SCORES IN BRIEF

Bangladesh: 136-6 in 20 overs (Tamim 65, Afif 21, Mahmudullah 12; Afridi 1-22, Hasnain 2-22, Rauf 1-27)

Pakistan: 137-1 in 16.4 overs (Babar 66 not out, Hafeez 67 not out; Shafiul 1-27)

Result: Pakistan won by nine wickets.

Player-of-the-match: Babar Azam.