Bangladesh don't have the habit of scoring big runs: Taskin

When India had posted 221 on the board in the second T20I at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, it was already a task too tall for the visiting Bangladesh side. But when their openers - Parvez Hossain Emon and Litton Das - started with a bang, scoring 20 runs in the first two overs, it felt like things could change. 

But ultimately, within a few moments, they started to crash like a pack of cards, going from 40/1 to 46/4 in the span of two overs as the run chase of 221 never took the momentum from thereon. In the post-match press conference, Bangladesh’s senior pacer Taskin Ahmed didn’t hold back, stating that the Tigers don’t have a habit of scoring big runs. 

"They (India) score 180 to 200 runs regularly. For us, that is 130-40 at home. We don't have that habit (of scoring big runs), and that is the reality,” Taskin said. 

The slow and miserable batting conditions in Bangladesh have often handicapped the growth of batters in the country, and Taskin pointed out that if the conditions don’t improve, their batting group will stagnate. 

“Hopefully, in the coming days, our home conditions will get better, and at that point we can chase big runs and defend as well. At the same time, if we can play different franchise leagues, we will have a better experience. Our cricket will develop when our domestic cricket structure is strong,” he added. 

"The decision lies in the hands of the board. We have already informed the board (to prepare good wickets and take a decision on the curator) and board is thinking about it."

221 could have easily been 180 on any given day if Bangladesh held on to their catches. Litton was the culprit when he dropped Nitish Kumar Reddy when the Indian batter was just on five. Eventually, Reddy went on to smash a 34-ball 74 that really propelled the Indian team in the middle overs. 

"Catch drop is always costly, especially against an opponent like them who are best in the world. The margin of error is very small and so it was costly," Taskin added. 

"Look, in the powerplay, we did well, but they batted well in the end, and unfortunately, spinners had a bad day. Normally, we don't have this kind of bad day, but in T20, anything can happen on any day. The spinners could not grip the ball as there was dew. We were in the game till the 11th or 12th over, and on this wicket, if we had kept them under 180 runs, it was chaseable."

So, how could India score runs on that surface where Bangladesh struggled? Taskin points that out to the confidence of the Indian batters because of their habit of playing on ‘good wickets’. 

"They (Indian batters) play their shots fluently even when there is a small margin of error. If we try to play shots lying down like them (scoop and lap shots), it would hit our head. This habit that they have grown is due to playing on good wickets from the early stages of their career.”

India have already wrapped the series 2-0, but Bangladesh would be looking to have the last say in Hyderabad, where the third T20I will take place.

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