Where did Bangladesh lose the match, in India’s powerplay or in their middle-overs batting approach? While a few factors worked against the Tigers in Wednesday’s Super Four clash, it was the middle-overs batting collapse that ultimately cost Bangladesh the match.
Chasing 169 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium to qualify for the Asia Cup final, Bangladesh fell short, managing only 127 despite a brilliant 69-run innings from Saif Hassan. Tanzid Hasan Tamim lasted just three deliveries before edging a catch to Shivam Dube off a length delivery from Jasprit Bumrah.
Parvez Hossain Emon was the only other batter besides Saif to show intent. Returning to the playing XI after two matches, the left-hander scored 21 off 19 balls. After two early blows, Saif was the sole batter holding the innings together.
Saif reached his second consecutive fifty in the Asia Cup, smashing 69 off 51 balls, including five sixes and three boundaries. Though he gave away four catches, luck favored him as the Indian fielders failed to hold onto them.
However, Bangladesh’s middle order crumbled in the middle overs, turning the chase into a nightmare. Here is the breakdown: Powerplay, 42/2; middle overs, 5 wickets lost for just 58 runs.
Towhid Hridoy tried to go big against Axar Patel, but mistimed the shot and was caught by Abhishek Sharma. Shamim Hossain was bowled off a full-length delivery from Varun Chakravarthy, missing the line entirely.
In the 11th over, stand-in captain Jaker Ali was run out from a direct hit by Suryakumar Yadav, further derailing Bangladesh. Saifuddin fell cheaply off a shortish delivery from Varun, playing a cross-batted shot straight to Tilak Verma at long-on.
After the match, Jaker Ali remained calm, stating, “There is nothing to be tense about. Our execution was not good enough today. If you look at our last two matches, we played very good cricket in the middle overs. They had wrist spinners and a Chinaman bowler. On this particular day, as a batting unit, we just could not deliver.”
Now Bangladesh face a do-or-die clash against Pakistan on Thursday. The winner will secure a spot in the final against India. If Bangladesh wants to reach the final for the fourth time in this tournament, fixing the middle-overs batting approach will be crucial.
– Jubayer Tanin, from Dubai
