‘A lot of areas to improve upon’

Although the 26-run win over hosts Oman kept the hopes of qualification for the Super 12 stage of the ICC T20 World Cup alive for Bangladesh, according to skipper Mahmudullah Riyad there are still a few areas that the Tigers need to improve upon in the coming days.

Bangladesh's opening spot remained a major area of concern as the Tigers added 29 for two wickets in the first Powerplay. According to Mahmudullah, the team needs to improve their performance in the first six overs both with the ball and bat.

"We'll take this win, but I think there are a lot of areas we need to improve [upon]. I hope everyone is happy. Thanks to the crowd that came in, they expect us to win. Delivering a win for them, for the country is the most important thing. Shakib and Naim batted brilliantly; they had a good partnership and that took us to 150-plus.

"But we should have done better with the new ball; bowled a lot of wides. We need to see those areas and correct them. I think our death bowling was going well. In the middle part we brought the game back. But the first six overs -- batting and bowling -- we need to improve," Mahmudullah said during the post-match presentation yesterday.

Man-of-the-match Shakib Al Hasan once again stood tall when his team needed the most, with the champion cricketer first being involved in a crucial 80-run third wicket stand with Naim Sheikh.

The left-hander, however, was run out after a 27-ball 42, his innings featuring six fours. Shakib then bagged three wickets for 28 runs from his four overs.

According to the 34-year-old, it was the experience of the Tigers that proved vital in the end.

"Obviously it [loss to Scotland] hurt the whole team because we were not expecting it. It was pretty tough [the team talk]. Obviously the Scotland low was hurting us. Oman played really good cricket but we held our nerve. Experience played a role.

"Oman were in the game for 15 overs, so credit to them. They are playing with a lot of heart; I wish them best of luck for their future games. I think this win will settle our nerves. We have another game which we have to win and we have to see what happens in the game between Oman and Scotland," said Shakib.