Taskin Attributes Defeat to Batting Lineup’s Failure Under Duress

COLOMBO: Following the loss to Sri Lanka in the first ODI, Bangladesh’s Taskin Ahmed described the outcome as both startling and upsetting. He placed the blame squarely on the batting order’s overall poor showing.

In pursuit of a reachable 245-run target at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Bangladesh appeared to be in command at 100/1 in the 17th over. However, a dramatic collapse ensued, with the team losing seven wickets for a mere five runs, plummeting to 107/8 and ultimately proving unable to recover.

During the post-match press briefing in Colombo, Taskin voiced his profound dismay and bewilderment at the sudden shift in momentum.

“I anticipated that we would secure a victory with five to seven overs remaining. However, the two wickets that fell in a single over proved to be the pivotal moment. The situation deteriorated rapidly from that point onward,” Taskin stated.

He pinpointed the middle-order’s shortcomings as the key reason for the unexpected setback, emphasizing the lack of any significant partnerships following a promising beginning.

“Our performance with the bat in the middle overs was undoubtedly subpar. We achieved an excellent start, amassing 100 runs in only 16 overs. Nevertheless, after declining from 100/2 to 107/8, we relinquished all command. That period ultimately decided the match,” he elaborated.

Taskin clarified that the pitch conditions were not to blame for the defeat, asserting that the surface was conducive to batting.

“Once Jaker had settled in, he exhibited excellent batting skills and achieved a half-century. Had two or three additional batters provided him with support, we might have prevailed. Observing other players batting on this pitch, it did not appear challenging. The loss was solely attributable to our own deficiencies,” he affirmed.

He also admitted that a combination of complacency and anxiety may have played a role in the collapse.

“Following the strong start, we likely became overly relaxed, assuming that we had the situation under control. Subsequently, a run-out occurred, and Tanzid [Tamim] was dismissed. At that juncture, panic began to set in. We ceased to play our customary game and succumbed to the pressure,” he concluded.