Tigers’ positive intent shines through
Following a string of low-scoring encounters at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur that began with the series against Australia last month, some runs were finally put on the board as the hosts managed to post 141 for six after skipper Mahmudullah Riyad elected to bat in the second T20I against New Zealand yesterday.
The surface played a lot better than in the first T20I, when the Kiwis were bundled out for their joint-lowest T20 total of 60 and suffered a seven-wicket defeat.
Bangladesh's positive intent was evident from the start and one should credit the team management for taking up the challenge after talk about batsmen not receiving adequate preparation for the upcoming ICC World T20 in mind.
After failing to fire in the first game, openers Naim Sheikh and Liton Das provided stability although the latter got a reprieve after being dropped very early in the innings.
The duo showed great maturity and, interestingly, it was the first time in seven T20Is in Bangladesh that a team completed the PowerPlay without losing a wicket.
Naim and Liton added 59 runs for the first wicket, Bangladesh's highest opening stand in their past nine T20Is with the previous best of 42 coming against Australia last month.
Liton was bowled for a 29-ball 33 while trying to drag the ball to the leg side off Rachin Ravindra. That sparked a mini-collapse, with Mushfiqur Rahim, who promoted to number three, registering his third duck in the last ten innings.
The wicketkeeper-batsman missed a turning delivery from Ravindra, losing his balance and finding himself out of the crease when opposing keeper Tom Latham dislodged the bails.
Shakib Al Hasan tried to counterattack, hitting struck two boundaries to off-spinner Cole McConchie, but the left-hander paid the price as he chased a third, handing an easy catch to long-off. He departed for 12, leaving Bangladesh on 72 for 3, having lost three wickets inside nine deliveries.
Naim could only look on from the other end as the wickets fell before attempting to steady the ship with skipper Mahmudullah Riyad at his side. However, the necessity of going for big shots saw a frustrated Naim caught at long on to become Ravindra's third victim. He scored a run-a-ball 39 which included three fours.
It was then Mahmudullah taking on the bowlers, showing intent and remaining unbeaten on a 32-ball 37. Nurul Hasan Sohan scored 13 off nine balls as Bangladesh added 31 runs in the last three overs, but the main thing was the positive intent from the Tigers, which will boost the batsmen's morale in the coming days.