Taskin Blames Batsmen for Bangladesh’s Heavy Defeat to Zimbabwe

Bangladesh failed to win despite making a promising start with both bat and ball against Zimbabwe in the opening match of the tri-nation ODI series. Bangladesh pacer Taskin Ahmed believes the team lost because the batters failed to build substantial partnerships.

Bangladesh suffered a 99-run defeat while chasing a target of 272 runs in Abu Dhabi on Saturday. Mr. Taskin gave Bangladesh an excellent start with the ball, reducing Zimbabwe to 24 for three in seven overs. However, Brendan Taylor and Craig Ervine steadied the innings with a 150-run partnership for the fourth wicket off 176 balls. Mr. Taylor scored 81, while Mr. Ervine made 93 as Zimbabwe finished on 271 for eight in 50 overs. Mr. Taskin took three wickets for 44 runs, while Shoriful Islam and Saif Hassan claimed two wickets each.

In reply, Bangladesh made a brisk start, scoring 47 runs in the opening partnership. Tanzid Hasan scored 46 off 38 balls, including nine fours and a six. However, no other Bangladeshi batter managed a substantial innings, and the team failed to build any significant partnerships. Bangladesh were bowled out for 172 in 33.4 overs.

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Mr. Taskin said, “We did not really play good cricket. We should have played good cricket. We should have chased 272 runs. Unfortunately, we could not build even a single partnership. Just one partnership could have turned the game around. We often make mistakes in batting. Our bowling consistency has improved somewhat compared to before. I think the batters should have won this match, but they failed to do so.”

Bangladesh will face Afghanistan in their second and final league match on October 21. The match is crucial to their hopes of reaching the final. Mr. Taskin said the team was determined to put the defeat behind them and bounce back. “We still have one match left. We will try to put up a good fight, make a comeback and reach the final,” he said.

Mr. Taskin had put Zimbabwe under pressure early in the innings but was disappointed that Bangladesh could not secure victory. He said, “Any defeat is a big disappointment for a player and a team. No matter whether I take three or five wickets, it means nothing if we do not win the match. We had a great start. The pitch was very good for batting.

Zimbabwe built a big partnership in the middle, and after our early success, that partnership put them well ahead. Even after breaking the partnership, I think we managed to restrict them to a reasonable total. But unfortunately, we could not win the match.”

He added, “To be honest, given the pitch conditions today, even a slight mistake in our bowling was punished. A target of 270 against Zimbabwe was certainly achievable. They also put Australia under pressure in their own conditions. We should have performed better in these conditions.”

Source: BSS