Mashrafe: Hard for us to do well if we keep bowling this way

Bangladesh ODI captain Mashrafe bin Mortaza admitted that their bowling was very disappointing as the Tigers failed to take any wicket against host South Africa, who chased down 279 runs without losing any wicket in the first ODI at De Beers Diamond Oval Sunday. The Tigers' batting looked slightly improved, particularly after a humiliating performance in the two-match Test series, as they posted 278 for the loss of seven wickets in 50 overs on a good batting track. But the opposition reached their destination without losing any wicket in 42.5 overs, thanks to some frustrating bowling at the end. “It was a 280-plus wicket but we could have defended it had we taken early wickets and created pressure from both sides. But this was beyond our expectation, how we couldn’t take a wicket. I am sure all the bowlers will think about what happened. We have to make a comeback from this,” said Mashrafe during the post-match press conference.

Bangladesh lost the first ODI by 10 wickets against South Africa. #SAvBAN pic.twitter.com/ztAoXPkDMx

— Bangladesh Cricket (@BCBtigers) October 15, 2017

Bangladesh were concerned over the injuries of crucial players like opener Tamim Iqbal and paceman Mustafizur Rahman. The Bangladesh skipper informed that the team did not want to take any risk over Tamim and Mustafizur, who was later ruled out from the rest of the ODI series against the Proteas. “We were aware of their injuries from [Saturday]. Mustafizur is probably out of the series from the time he got hurt. We waited for Tamim till the last moment but the physio (Thihan Chandramohan) didn’t want to take a risk. Our body language didn’t reflect anything untoward when we started the day. We batted almost as planned; Shakib [al Hasan] and Mushfiqur [Rahim] took responsibility by performing their roles properly,” he said. “But our bowling was very disappointing. They handled our bowlers very easily. Tests and ODIs are completely different; you have to bowl in partnerships more in ODIs. You can’t keep leaking runs from one side because the one who is bowling well then can be taken for ones and twos. What we missed was pressure from both ends, especially in the middle overs. But we couldn’t do it from start till end,” he added. Bangladesh were not able to put up any competition as both the South Africa openers scored centuries and completely dominated throughout the innings. Mashrafe believes Bangladesh should have picked up a few wickets in the middle period of the game.

Tamim Iqbal and Mustafizur Rahman are ruled out from first ODI.#SAvBANTo follow Live Score: https://t.co/sjRLfvszI9 pic.twitter.com/JwaBYjSEUm

— Bangladesh Cricket (@BCBtigers) October 15, 2017

“We are doing everything possible. The result is not coming in our favour to keep mentality positive. I think they would have chased the total regardless but we should have taken at least five or six wickets in the process. It may have put them under some pressure but our bowling was just disappointing. It will be hard for us to do well if we keep bowling this way," he said. “We have a chance to make a comeback in the next two games. It is only natural to have a lot of talk around us but the players have to fight," he concluded.