It is not the first time that Bangladesh team surrendered their winning positions against elite teams. Bangladesh have come close to a victory on many occasions but have failed to cross the line, especially against top teams like India. Bangladesh are lagging behind big teams in the T20 format because of their inability to rectify mistakes that have been made frequently in recent times. There was a glorious opportunity for Bangladesh on Sunday night in Nagpur to seal the T20 series against India. Needing 50 runs off the last 30 balls with six wickets in hand, Bangladesh were on course for a memorable series win but lost wickets in a heap to blow it all away.
Chasing 175, Bangladesh were in a favourable position to win the game when Mohammad Naim and Mohammad Mithun starred in a 97-run partnership for the third wicket. Naim, who struck 81 off 48 deliveries, was in brilliant touch and played what should have been a match-winning knock. However, in a shambolic manner, the middle order collapsed again.
Bangladesh lost their last eight wickets for 34 runs and were bowled out for 144 after they were 110 for 2 at one point. This kind of abysmal batting shows that Bangladesh still have a long way to go when it comes to finish the game in crunch moments. Tigers lack big game temperament.
The most disappointing fact of all was inability of senior players like Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah Riyad to finish off the match. After youngster Naim’s sensational 81, others should have chipped in and win the match with ease. Naim alone scored 81 and the other 10 players collectively scored 63! Which shows the sorry state of our batting.