Shakib scored 11 runs off seven balls after coming in to bat in the 12th over with Bangladesh requiring 121 runs at a rate of 14.23 per over. He expressed disappointment at the team’s lack of competitiveness towards the end of the tournament, citing below-par performances of 140 for 8 and 146 for 8 against Australia and India respectively. Despite playing on seemingly favorable pitches in Antigua, the Bangladesh top order continued to struggle. Shakib mentioned that they failed to show the required intent while chasing India’s target of 196 in the recent game.
“Our World Cup campaign could have been viewed more positively if we had shown the fighting spirit displayed against South Africa to India and Australia,” Shakib remarked. “Our batting unit has been unable to produce enough runs, as seen from our scores of 140 and 146 in the last two games. We missed an opportunity today despite having a target in front of us. The lack of intent was evident, and we have struggled with confidence throughout the tournament.”
“Against top teams like Australia and India, we need to bring our best game forward. Our performance lacked the required skill and strength, leading to an inability to sustain pressure. As a batting unit, we have underwhelmed and failed to deliver par scores like 175-185 even on good wickets,” Shakib continued.
Tamim, speaking as an expert for ESPNcricinfo, expressed surprise at Bangladesh’s passive approach with the bat against India. He questioned the team’s decision-making and urged the management to address the batting issues moving forward.
Tamim also raised concerns about the exclusion of Taskin Ahmed and the decision to focus on strengthening the batting lineup. He felt that tactical errors were made during the game that impacted Bangladesh’s overall performance.
Tamim criticized the decision to not utilize Mustafizur Rahman’s left-arm pace against Rohit Sharma and pointed out missed opportunities that impacted Bangladesh’s performance. He highlighted the need for a long-term plan to address the team’s weaknesses and improve performance on batting-friendly surfaces.
Shakib highlighted Bangladesh’s struggles on flat wickets and emphasized the need for the team to adapt to different conditions. He mentioned the team’s tendency to perform better on lower-scoring pitches and admitted to facing challenges on good batting tracks.
Tamim discussed the impact of pitch conditions in Bangladesh on the players’ ability to perform on good batting surfaces. He called for a shift in mindset towards developing players’ skills on such pitches to improve overall cricketing standards in the country.
Tamim suggested a change in approach towards pitch preparation in domestic tournaments to encourage player development and enhance the quality of cricket played in Bangladesh. He stressed the importance of patience and strategic planning to overcome existing challenges.
Mohammad Isam is ESPNcricinfo’s Bangladesh correspondent. @isam84
