We had two bad days and not too worried about it: Mehidy

Despite finishing third in the One-Day International (ODI) Super League, Bangladesh succumbed to a 2-0 defeat at home against Afghanistan, a series that they were expected to win. However, after the first ODI, Bangladesh’s skipper Tamim Iqbal announced his retirement before an intervention from Bangladesh’s Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina made the left-hander reverse his decision. 

The absence of the experienced opener was on display during the second ODI, when Bangladesh lost to Afghanistan by 142 runs, failing to chase 332. However, all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz isn’t too fazed by the twin losses, stating that the team isn’t too worried about it. 

"I think we had two bad days. We are not worried about it," Mehidy said after the loss in the second ODI. "We can plan better for the Asia Cup and World Cup. We play to win every game. We will find out where we lack. I said in a press conference a little while ago that losing against Afghanistan won't make us a bad side. One series can go bad.”

Mehidy emphasised by stating that the team finished third in the ODI Super League, and these games will only help them play better in the Asia Cup and World Cup. 

"We have a good record in the last three-four years. We finished in the top four in the ICC ODI Super League. I think we can overcome these mistakes from the past two games, and play much better in the Asia Cup and World Cup,” he added.

On Tamim’s decision, Mehidy revealed a complete shock in the dressing room, and none were prepared to hear such news from their captain. 

"Everyone was shocked with Tamim bhai's decision. Nobody expected it. It was a break that day and we had training yesterday. We prepared for this game. But that bad feeling was temporary."

The duo of Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran punished the Bangladesh bowlers, scoring 256 runs for the first wicket. Mehidy pointed out that the extra 30-40 runs ended up costing the hosts. 

"We gave away 30-40 runs more [than we should have]," he said. "We weren't organised enough as a bowling unit. If our top order also made runs and had a partnership going, we could have taken this game deep. It became hard when the top order fell [quickly]".

Unlike the first ODI, Bangladesh opted to chase down a total, and that decision, unfortunately, didn’t end up costing the Tigers. 

"We expected the wicket to play better at night. We batted first in the first game [after losing the toss]. The wicket was slow. It kept low. It improved in the evening, so the captain and coach thought that if [on winning the toss in the second ODI] we bowled well up front and then batted in the second innings, things will be easy for us."