The embarrassing defeat in the opening match of the Asia Cup against Sri Lanka is a big concern for the Tigers when they will face Afghanistan in a must win encounter to take place in Lahore on Sunday (tomorrow).
Tigers may have to face a stiff hurdle to cross to move into the knockout phase in the ongoing Asia Cup when they will take on Afghanistan in their second match. Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hassan, after the first match though own up that they could not bat as a unit, but the bowlers also could do nothing special in a low scoring match on a tricky surface (as the Sri Lankan captain spelt out).
Shakib upheld his decision to bat first after winning the toss saying that the pitch was dry and might be batting friendly but only Nazmul Hossain Shanto could justify the captain’s decision with carrying the side with stubborn 89 runs.
Besides Shanto, among rest of the 10 batters, five were out for single digit and two for ducks, the second highest run was 20 scored by Towhid Ridoy, as Bangladesh had to struggle much to score 164 runs.
During Sri Lankan innings, Bangladesh bowlers despite making an initial breakthrough with striking at the early stage to take two wickets for 15 runs and made it 43 for three wickets in 10 overs, could not keep up the momentum. Sri Lankan batters bounced back after losing three early wickets and a steady 78-run partnership of Charith Asalanka (62 not out) and Sadeera Samawickrama (54) played key role of Sri Lankan win.
But the Tigers, after losing first three wickets for 36 runs, only Shanto and Towhid Ridoy could make a fifty (59) runs partnership, thereafter no batters could go with Shanto to build any significant stand, though it was not enough to throw challenge for the hosts batters. In fact, credits should go to the Sri Lankan bowlers, who performed brilliantly to force Bangladeshi batters to go on back foot.
On the other hands the way Bangladesh bowlers executed, except Shakib and Mehidy Miraz none deserves credit of doing any extraordinary performances.
Batters could not set any strong foundation for the bowlers to inspire them to fight, as it was more than tough to defend the poor total of 164 runs.
No Tigers’ batter took it upon the team from disaster when wickets were going in regular intervals and at one stage they were bundled out for paltry total. So, against Afghanistan, Tigers will have to be careful and no way to take them lightly or undermined them, just recollecting the memory of recent Afghanistan tour of Bangladesh when in July they won the ODI series when in the first ODI they scored a 331 runs.
Rahmatullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zardan scored a record 256 runs in opening partnership when the former scored 145 runs off 125 balls and the latter struck just 100 runs.
Afghanistan, though lost their first match to Pakistan in the ongoing Asia Cup, restricted the giants for 268 runs.
Afghanistan have their some world class bowlers like Fazalhaq Farooqi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Rashid Khan, who can make any upset destroying the opponents’ batting.
In all respect Bangladesh will face a bit stiff hurdle when they will face Afghanistan to confirm their room in the knockout stage.