Bangladesh captain Nazmul Hossain Shanto has apologized to the nation and the supporters for being inconsistent, particularly in the batting department, and for failing to grab opportunities as a team in the ongoing Twenty20 World Cup.
Bangladesh’s campaign in the 20-nation tournament finally finished Tuesday [BST] after the side suffered a humiliating eight-run [Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method] defeat against Afghanistan at Arnos Vale Stadium in Saint Vincent.
Bangladesh not only lost the game but also failed to seize the golden chance to qualify for the semis of the tournament.
Bangladesh bowlers had put up a brilliant effort to restrict Afghanistan to 115 for five in 20 overs and needed to complete the chase in 12.1 overs to qualify for a berth in the semis.
But after yet another under-par performance from the batting unit, Bangladesh were all out for 105 in 17.5 overs in the rain-interrupted chase.
“First of all, I would like to say as a team we let down all the fans of Bangladesh who follow and support us. So, I apologize on behalf of the team. As a batting group, we couldn't give the best to the people of the country. We feel sorry for that. We will try to come out of this situation in future,” said Shanto at the post-match press conference.
“But the positive side is that the bowlers have bowled very well. Rishad [Hossain] has bowled very well in almost all matches in a big tournament like this. There were a lot of positives, but as a batting unit, we let down the fans and the people of our country. We gave them a hard time. But there was no lacking in our efforts. Everyone tried their best. Everyone was honest in their place. But at the end of the day, we couldn't make it. So, on behalf of the team, I apologize,” the left-handed batter added.
Chasing the achievable total against the Afghans, Shanto revealed the astonishing plan that the team had.
According to the southpaw, they gave up the aim of finishing within 12.1 overs after the side lost three wickets.
Bangladesh first lost Tanzid Hasan Tamim for a duck in the second over and in the very next over lost Shakib al Hasan (also for a duck) and Shanto (five) off two successive deliveries to Naveen-ul-Haq.
“I think, first of all, we wanted to win the match. That was the initial plan. After first innings, when we saw 115 on the board, we had a plan that we could win 12.1 overs. So that was the plan. But as I mentioned, the batting group made a lot of poor decisions,” Shanto informed.
“The plan was that we would try to score in the first six overs. If we start well and don't lose early wickets, then we will take the chance. But when we lost three early wickets, our plan was different. Our plan was how we could win the match then. Our plan was to win the match. I would say the middle-order didn't make good decisions. Because of this, I think we lost the game,” the Bangladesh skipper added.
Bangladesh with the defeat also denied Australia from going ahead to the semis.
Along with Afghanistan the other semi-finalists are India, England and South Africa.
In the first semi-final scheduled for Thursday at Brian Lara Cricket Stadium in Trinidad and Tobago, the Afghans will face the Proteas.
In the second semi-final in Guyana on the same day, the Indians will take on the Three Lions.