Bangladesh Twenty20 skipper Mashrafe bin Mortaza cited “hurriedness” behind Bangladesh’s batting debacle in the first T20 international against Zimbabwe yesterday.
Although the Tigers won the game by four wickets chasing 132 runs, they were shaken as wickets fell regularly.
Bangladesh at one point of the game were reeling on 80 for five, allowing Zimbabwe to take control. However, riding on Mahmudullah's unbeaten 22 and a couple of partnerships, the Tigers steadied the boat and reached their destination after overcoming some choppy waters.
“We never wanted to bat this way chasing only [132] runs. We would have won the game even if we had batted normally. I think we hurried. The win was important to us but to be honest I had hoped for a better display with the bat. I hope everyone will play according to the plan in the next game,” Mashfare told the media at Mirpur's Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium after the game.
Mashrafe explained that the Tigers had only scored 47 runs in their first six overs, “So there was no need to go after big hits after such a fine start.”
Leg-spinner Jubair Hossian made his international bow in T20Is yesterday. The 20-year-old was termed as a “great find” by many, given that he is the first and only specialist leggie Bangladesh have ever produced. But since his international debut in October last year, Jubair has hardly been used. Till now the Jamalpur lad has played only six Tests, three ODIs and a solitary T20I.
In the game yesterday, Jubair was expensive giving away 20 runs in just two overs but did pick two wickets, those of Luke Jongwe and Neville Madziva, in the same over to mark his arrival.
“I never thought that he might leak runs. He was included in the playing eleven as a specialist bowler and I had to use him with full confidence. I had to accept whatever way he bowled. He bowled well on the day and I hope that continues,” said Mashrafe.
