Experience shows the way for batting unit
Once again it was that big guns -- skipper Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah Riyad -- that struck fifties to post a fighting 257 for 6 against Sri Lanka in the first ODI at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur yesterday.
Bangladesh returning to the 50-over format after the 3-0 defeat to New Zealand in March this year desperate to return to winning ways on home soil and the experienced campaigners, aside from Shakib Al Hasan, did the job with the bat.
Aside from the result , there were still a few areas in batting that remain a concern for the Tigers think-tank.
Topics of discussion in the team meeting may have ranged from a lack of consistency from the likes of Liton Das and Mohammad Mithun to Tamim being unable to convert fifties into hundreds to Mushfiqur's love for the reverse sweep once again costing his wicket.
Liton was under some pressure before the first ODI and went for a rather loose shot in the third delivery he faced, giving an outside edge to the slip fielder off the bowling of Dushmantha Chameera to register his third duck in the last five innings.
The right-hander, who has scored just 76 runs in his last seven innings, will surely need to rectify the mistakes that have stopped him from becoming consistent as a batsman.
Shakib, despite spending some time at the crease after coming in at number three, was dismissed on 15 when he was caught at long-off trying to play over the top off Danushka Gunathilaka.
However, Tamim remained solid at the other end and continued his sublime form by reaching his 51st ODI fifty. But the left-hander was once again guilty of not being able to convert his 50 into a century despite getting a 50 in four of his last seven innings.
He was trapped leg before on 51 by Dhananjaya De Silva, which brought in Mohammad Mithun, who will surely curse himself for playing an irresponsible shot.
The right-hander tried to play a paddle sweep without adjusting to the pace of the pitch it the turn from Dhananjaya and was dismissed for a golden duck to leave Bangladesh in a spot of bother on 99 for 4.
Since then, experienced batters Mushfiqur and Mahmudullah steadied the ship for Bangladesh as the pair went on to add the first-ever 100-run stand for any wicket at home against Sri Lanka in ODIs.
Both Mushfiqur and Mahmudullah worked hard in hot and humid conditions, pacing their innings really well and realising the importance of mixing caution and aggression.
At one stage, the hosts was eyeing somewhere near the 270-run mark with the two experienced players at the crease until Mushfiqur fell victim to his favorite reverse sweep to Lakshan Sandakan onand departed for 84 off 87 balls.
The phrase 'live by the sword and die by the sword' probably suits Mushfiqur, who lost his wicket numerous times playing the shot that has gained him many runs in international cricket.
Mahmudullah played his part and was eventually dismissed for 54 while Afif Hossain also chipped in with 27 off 22 balls and helped Bangladesh score 24 off the last two overs of the innings.
Comments