ADELAIDE, Nov 2, 2022 (BSS)- Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan believes
that panic and the lack of experience to deal with the nerve-wrecking moment
cost them the game against India when they came so close to beat the
subcontinent powerhouse in a T20 World Cup game.

    "Panic and lack of experience-- both contributed in our close defeat,"
said Shakib after Bangladesh lost the game by five runs. "We often didn't
encounter such sort of moment. We actually didn't play so many close matches,
so the players got panicked to a bit. But I think we should win the game.
Most of the teams will win the game when they need 85 runs from nine overs
with all 10 wickets at hands. But unfortunately we couldn't do that."

    India managed to put up 184-6 and Bangladesh were 66 for no loss in seven
overs, thanks to a majestic knock from Liton before the rain arrived. As the
rain stopped, Bangladesh's revised target was set 151 in 16 overs, which they
eventually couldn't chase. They were restricted to 145-6 with Liton being out
on 27 ball-60.

    Liton's unfortunate run out dismissal indeed began the rot as Bangladesh
lost six wickets for 40 runs in five overs before Nurul Hasan Sohan and
Taskin Ahmed got the team back on track. However Indian bowlers held the
nerve to deny the duo.

    "It's been the story when we play India. We're almost there but don't
cross the line. It was a great game, the crowd enjoyed, both teams enjoyed,
in the end someone has to win and someone has to lose," Shakib said.

    The Bangladesh skipper also said that if the current side stays together,
they could pull off close games in future.

    "Interestingly all of our World Cup matches against India became close
after 2105. But unfortunately we couldn't seal the game. But I believe if we
can go same way and in same strategy, in future definitely we'll seal those
close matches. I think we should nurse this team well," he remarked.

    He also lavished praise on Liton, saying that the opener's innings was
not 'out of the box', instead he is capable of playing this kind of knock.

    "Liton is batting really well, probably he's our best batter going
around. We thought we could chase this down after that start. For the last
two or three years, he has been our best batter. He played well in Test and
ODI cricket but in T20 cricket, he has been playing well for the last one
year. So his innings is not out of the box rather he is absolutely capable of
playing this kind of knock."

    Shakib said his target was to get the Indian top order as early as
possible and therefore he bowled Taskin out but unfortunately on this day,
the fast bowler didn't get any wicket despite bowling terrifically.

    "Our plan was to get India's top order quickly, that's why I bowled out
Taskin, he's been our main bowler. Unfortunately he couldn't get wickets
today, he was unlucky but it was a plan to get India's top order out to
dictate the game. We're positive, we wanted to enjoy this World Cup,
hopefully we can continue this."