Bangladesh paceman Tanzim Hasan Sakib has vigorously defended his teammates, asserting that every player in the current Bangladesh line-up possesses a "proven" track record in both domestic and international cricket. These comments came in the aftermath of Bangladesh's dispiriting 57-run loss to Pakistan in the second T20 International on Friday, a result that effectively conceded the three-match series with one fixture yet to be played.
The match in Lahore on Sunday could see Bangladesh suffer a whitewash, as their current form leaves them with slim chances of a positive result. During the post-match press conference, Sakib expressed his conviction that all squad members were established performers. However, an objective examination of recent performances, particularly from the batting department, suggests Sakib's optimistic assessment may not align with the cold facts.
Consider opener Tanzid Tamim. A series of initial scores – including 59, 40, 31, and 33 – have frequently offered glimpses of promise. Yet, the left-handed batter has repeatedly failed to convert these promising starts into substantial, match-defining innings. In every instance where he has managed a start, Bangladesh has ultimately succumbed to defeat, particularly when faced with demanding chases. This recurring pattern indicates Tamim is yet to develop the crucial ability to accelerate and elevate his scoring rate when the situation demands it, a characteristic typically associated with genuinely "proven" international players.
His opening partner, Parvez Hossain Emon, has experienced a precipitous decline in form. Since registering his maiden T20 International century against the UAE earlier this month, his subsequent performances have been alarming; his last three appearances have yielded scores of 0, 4, and 8, consistently failing even to reach double figures. Captain Litton Das, who marked his 100th T20 International appearance, possesses career statistics that, regrettably, don't reflect those of a "proven" T20 specialist. An average of 22.51 coupled with a strike rate of 125.23 points to a player often lauded for raw talent and potential, yet consistently unable to deliver impactful performances on the international stage.
Tawhid Hridoy's contribution of 17 runs from 22 balls in the opening match against Pakistan proved detrimental, significantly stalling Bangladesh's pursuit of a formidable 202-run target.
He has demonstrated a troubling inability to shift gears and accelerate when the match situation demands it, and his dismissals frequently appear to be the result of reckless decision-making.
Jaker Ali, frequently lauded for his capabilities as a powerful hitter in the lower order, has also often failed to live up to the high expectations placed upon him. His 34-ball 41 in the final T20I against the UAE provided Bangladesh with a competitive, though ultimately insufficient, total.
Despite the prevailing struggles, Sakib, who himself reached a personal milestone with his maiden T20I fifty, remains steadfast in his confidence in his teammates. He attributes their current dip in form to a temporary slump, rather than a fundamental flaw. He conveyed his belief that the players might simply be experiencing a temporary lack of touch, expressing strong faith in their ability to bounce back in the upcoming fixture.
However, despite Sakib’s conviction and his clear identification of the problem areas, the statistical evidence presents a stark reality. Based on recent international performances, the assertion that the current crop of batters are "proven" players at the highest level simply doesn't withstand close scrutiny. For Sakib’s optimistic declaration to resonate with reality, the players must begin to perform consistently, rather than offering only sporadic glimpses of their true potential.
