Eight dropped catches in the first two one-day internationals against Sri Lanka can easily be termed as the major reason behind Bangladesh losing the three-match series. The home side fielded first in both the matches and the four misses in each game did not only shift the momentum, but the pressure also reflected in their batting approach later.
Bangladesh are known as one of the best fielding sides and though their ground fielding has been satisfactory, it was the catching from some of the best fielders in the side that raise concerns. It must also be said that a dropped catch also demoralizes the bowler.
In the second game at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium yesterday, Mominul Haque dropped two while Mahmudullah and Nasir Hossain squandered one each to help Sri Lanka build partnerships and register a big total of 289.
Nasir and Mahmudullah were the common culprits as they dropped one each in the first game too. More importantly the chances that went down were not very hard. From 67 for 8, Sri Lanka, especially Thisara Perara, capitalised on the gifted lives and posted a respectable 180 which proved 13 runs safe in the end.
With Asia Cup and the ICC World Twenty20 around the corner Bangladesh must find a solution to their butter fingers or else they have to end up paying pretty heavy.
First ODI
Over 22.4 Sohag Gazi at long-on dropped Thisara Perera off Arafat Sunny. The ball bounced off his hands and over the top for a six
Over 25.3 Mahmudullah was not alert as he failed to hold on to Senanayake’s edge off Sohag Gazi
Over 28.1 Thisara Perera lofts Gazi to long-on but Nasir loses balance as the ball popped out of his hands and sailed over the rope for a six
Over 38.4 Al Amin the bowler and Perera survived again as Shakib juggled the ball couple of times before spilling it on the ground at long-off
Second ODI
Over 14.2 Priyanjan pulled Gazi quite hard at deep square leg and Nasir rushed across to his left and dived full length but could not hold on to it
Over 45.5 Mahmudullah dropped a dolly at short fine-leg. Angelo Mathews tried to scoop Rubel but found the only fielder in the area, but the former vice-captain spilled the easy chance
Over 48.2 Arafat Sunny deprived from another international wicket. Vithanage heaved to mid-wicket and Mominul, instead of coming forward focused on the angle, dropped it.
Over 49.4 Mominul put down a sitter at cover. Vithanage, looking to smack a fullish delivery out of the park, got a thick outside edge off Rubel, but disappointment once again
