DHAKA, Sept 10, 2023 (BSS)-With Bangladesh staring at an exit from the Super Four stage of Asia Cup following their consecutive two defeats, the thing that came under scanner mostly was their batting.
Apart from the match against Afghanistan in the group phase, Bangladesh batters so far put up abysmal performance, causing the side's defeat in one match in group phase and two matches in Super Four phase.
The inconsistency in the batting have been continuing for the last two years, leading them to three series defeats out of the last four series. To make the matters worse, they lost a home series against Afghanistan and England when at own backyard they were almost invincible since 2015. Also they lost an ODI series against low ranked Zimbabwe.
Those series defeats put a question mark if their ODI prowess has been waning of late. The question again came to the fore following their 21-run defeat to Sri Lanka as they put up yet another wretched batting display in a wicket that was bit slower but not so difficult for batting.
Earlier, against Pakistan in a batting paradise in Lahore, Bangladesh were all out scoring less than 200 and even couldn't play whole 50 overs.
"Our batting has been facing downhill spiral for the last six months (in ODIs) since the series against England and later Afghanistan, now in this tournament and we need to work on it," Shakib said after the match against Sri Lanka.
Terming these defeats in the Asia Cup a reality check, he said they needed this 'reality check' ahead of the big event like World Cup.
"To be honest, we are concerned with our batting. We need to fix those errors, we need to work on how to rectify these errors ahead of the World Cup. This tournament was a reality check for us."
The Tigers will play their final Super Four match against India on September 15. Ahead of the clash, they however would be sure whether they have any chance to play the final. But the hopes of making it to the final of the tournament now lie entirely on other results going their way coupled with favorable net run-rates.
"We always play well in bilateral series and you cannot say we are a bad team but our big test is taken in this kind of tournament where we don't perform extraordinarily," Shakib said.
"We won three matches in 2007, 2011, 2015 and 2019 World Cup so people can say a lot of things but when we have a reality check usually we fail. It is good that the tournament was played before the World Cup and everyone will think how we can solve this problem and only after that can we do better."
Shakib however also tried to save some of the batters like Naim Sheikh from the wrath of the fans, saying they have the caliber to survive in the International cricket.
"Naim has been getting runs. There is nothing to be disappointed. In all four matches, he got the start but couldn't prolong his innings."
Shakib said they will see some more cricketers in the upcoming three match ODIs against New Zealand as he wants his players to be fresh during the World Cup where there will be a lot of travelling involved.
Bangladesh however will go for three days off before their final Super Four match against India. As they have to play four matches in three different cities in just 10 days, there were some niggles and small injuries, which the team management thinks should be addressed.
In those three days, the physio will work with the players carrying the niggles and also they will continue gym and swimming session.
