As a batting group, we made a lot of poor decisions that cost us today: Shanto

For Bangladesh to topple Afghanistan and Australia to fix a semi-final clash against South Africa, they needed to win the game against Afghanistan in 12.1 overs, but instead, they showed no real intent to track that down. Litton Das, who was steering the run chase, didn’t drive the run rate forward and seemed very content in trying to just win the game and be eliminated in the process.

It was particularly surprising because their bowlers had done a great job of restricting Afghanistan to just 115 runs—a target that seemed very plausible. Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto blamed the batters for making some horrible decisions in the middle.

“I think when we started our game, I think all the bowlers did a really great job. I think on that wicket, we should have won the way our bowlers bowled. So, I think as a batting group, we made a lot of poor decisions that cost us today,” Shanto said in the post-match press conference.

“I think, first of all, we wanted to win the match. That is the initial plan. After the first innings, when we saw 115 on the board, we had a plan that we could win 12.1 overs. So that was the plan. But as I mentioned, the batting group made a lot of poor decisions.”

Throughout the tournament, Bangladesh bowlers did a good job restricting the batters—in particular, Tanzim Sakib and Rishad Hossain. However, the batters didn’t complement them well enough to keep the Asian team in contention. Shanto pointed out that as the major reason for their loss. 

“I think the whole bowling unit did a great job, especially Rishad [Hossain]. He bowled really well throughout the tournament, and Tanzim Sakib bowled well. I felt all the bowlers did a great job, which is something we can take forward. As a fielding group, I think we felt really well throughout all the matches, so there are a lot of positive things that we can get going forward,” the Bangladesh skipper added.

“I think bowling-wise we had a plan that taking early wickets - but I think Gurbaz and Ibrahim batted really well, but in the middle, we controlled the game. I think all the bowlers did a great job. As I mentioned, the batting group made a lot of poor decisions that cost us today.”

Explaining the rationale behind their slow start when they knew they had to chase it in 12.1 overs, Shanto said their plan was to maximize the powerplay overs, but they failed to be successful in their pursuit.

“The plan was that we would try to score in the first six overs. If we start well and we don't lose the early wickets, then we will take the chance. But when we lost three early wickets, our plan was different. Our plan was how we could win the match then. Because our plan was to win the match. I would say that the middle order didn't make a good decision. Because of this, I think we lost the match,” the 25-year-old added.

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