2017 In Review: Tigers still yet to perfect T20Is

Bangladesh played seven T20Is in 2017, winning only once – against Sri Lanka - to level the series. Their six defeats came against New Zealand (three), the Lankans (once) and South Africa (two). The Tigers have been playing the shortest format of the game for 11 years now but compared to the top teams in world cricket, they fall short on mentality and aggression on most occasions. Perhaps Bangladesh's one and only achievement that can be labelled brilliant in the format was when they qualified for the Asia Cup final in 2016. The chief reason behind the Tigers' lack of progress in the format is that the majority of the cricketers do not get to play T20s often. Top players in the shape of Shakib al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal and a few others get the opportunity to play T20s around the world, but the same cannot be said about the others. The BCB and the cricketers tried to address the issue in the past, by being part of one or two more domestic T20 leagues comprising only the local players. But the plan is yet to see any light. Recently, the Cricket Committee of Dhaka Metropolis mulled hosting a T20 league containing the Super League sides, or the top eight teams of the domestic season. A concrete decision however, is yet to come from the body.Most runs – Soumya SarkarThe left-handed opener scored the most runs for the Tigers in the format in 2017. The Satkhira lad in seven innings made 154 runs at an average of 38.5. Soumya though was unable to post any century or half century. His personal highest came against the Proteas in Potchefstroom where he hammered a 27-ball 44, with half a dozen fours and a six.Most wickets – Shakib al HasanShakib finished 2017 as the highest Bangladesh T20I wicket-taker. The southpaw bagged six wickets in four innings at an average of 17.16.  Did you know?Bangladesh ODI captain Mashrafe bin Mortaza got the perfect send-off from T20Is in 2017 as the Tigers beat Sri Lanka by 45 runs to square the two-match series 1-1 in Colombo last April. Bangladesh in T20Is, 2017 (Feb 2017-Jan 2018) Matches 7, Wins 1, Losses 6, No Results 0 Top-scorersSoumya Sarkar154 runs (4 inn, ave 38.5)Saifuddin68 runs (3 inn, ave 34)Shakib al Hasan64 runs (4 inn, ave 16)  Highest wicket-takers Shakib al Hasan6 wickets (4 inn, ave 17.16)Mustafizur Rahman4 wickets (2 inn, ave 11.25)Mashrafe bin Mortaza3 wickets (2 inn, ave 20.66)