Another series, another whitewash. Bangladesh's T20 woes deepened on Sunday as they succumbed to a dominant Pakistan in the final match of the series, suffering a 3-0 clean sweep. Despite posting their highest-ever T20 total against the hosts, 196-6, the Tigers ultimately fell short by a convincing seven-wicket margin, leaving captain Litton Das to offer a contrite apology to the long-suffering Bangladeshi faithful.
The glimmer of hope for Bangladesh came from opener Parvez Hossain Emon, whose blistering 34-ball 66 propelled the visitors to that record-breaking score. However, his valiant efforts were brutally overshadowed by an extraordinary display of power hitting from Pakistan's Mohammad Haris, who blasted an unbeaten 107 off just 46 deliveries.
Speaking after the defeat in front of a packed Gaddafi Stadium, Litton acknowledged the vibrant atmosphere but couldn't hide his disappointment. "The crowds were very amazing. They supported both teams," he noted, before turning his attention to the expectant Bangladeshi supporters. "I am sorry to Bangladesh fans that we couldn't win any game but hopefully we will make a comeback."
While the batting performance in the third match offered a rare positive, Litton didn't shy away from highlighting the team's glaring deficiencies in other departments. "Emon and Tanzid batted really well and most of the guys put up their hands and did a good job," he admitted. Yet, the stark reality of their bowling and fielding frailties remained. "We didn't bowl well and didn't field well in the last two games, but we batted well on this track. It's a good wicket, but we need to learn how to bowl to different batters and need to think about that."
Indeed, Litton's candid assessment cuts to the core of Bangladesh's persistent struggles in the shortest format. While individual brilliance occasionally shines through, the collective execution, particularly with the ball and in the field, often leaves much to be desired. The "comeback" Litton speaks of will require more than just hope; it demands a fundamental shift in strategy and a significant improvement in skill execution from the entire squad. Until then, these apologies may unfortunately become a familiar refrain for Bangladeshi cricket fans.
