After slamming BCB for playing vs Zimbabwe and USA; Shakib-al-Hasan reacts to Bangladesh's series loss vs USA

Bangladesh's T20I series loss to the United States of America (USA) is nothing less than a wake-up call for the team, according to all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan.

The Bangla Tigers had visited USA, the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 co-hosts, almost a month before the start of the tournament. They flew over there a month prior to the 20-team event to play a 3-match T20I series against the US as part of their preparation for the World Cup. This series also served as a great platform for Bangladesh to have an idea of what the conditions are going to be.

However, Bangladesh's preparatory series began with a shocking 5-wicket loss in the 1st T20I at the Prairie View Cricket Complex. The visitors were restricted to a total of 153 in the 1st innings after losing the toss with USA chasing the target down by 19.3 overs.

In the 2nd T20I, instead of staging a comeback, Najmul Hossain Shanto's side suffered a dramatic collapse while chasing a target of just 145. The Bangla Tigers went from 106/5 to 138 all out within 19.3 overs with USA winning the match by 6 runs and clinched their maiden series win against a full member nation.

What did Shakib Al Hasan say about Bangladesh's series loss

While speaking in the post-match presentation yesterday, Shakib Al Hasan openly admitted that Bangladesh didn't play well enough to win the series. He called the series defeat, a very disappointing result but also made sure to appreciate the USA team for their back-to-back victories.

"Certainly it is disappointing and we didn't expect it but we must give credit to the US team for the way they have played. I think no one expected that we will lose two games. Any match you lose as a team is disappointing and you don't want to lose a game and obviously it is very disappointing." - Shakib Al Hasan told reporters.

With the series loss now confirmed, the Asian outfit will be playing to avoid a 3-0 whitewash in the T20I series tomorrow. And the way they went down 2-0 in the series in such a way, is a wake-up call for the team that they cannot come out with a similar gameplan when the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 begins.

"But having said that we have to play the World Cup and this series might be a wake-up call for us as we haven't played the way we want to play." - Shakib Al Hasan concluded.

Bangladesh's T20 World Cup 2024 schedule

Bangladesh will kick off their T20 World Cup campaign with a clash against Sri Lanka on Friday, June 7th. 3 days later, they will take on South Africa on June 10 in New York. On June 13th and 16th, the Bangla Tigers will be facing the Netherlands and Nepal respectively. Their last two group games will take place at the Arnos Vale Stadium in Kingstown, St. Vincent.

Bangladesh squad for the T20 WC 2024: Najmul Hossain Shanto (C), Taskin Ahmed, Litton Das, Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Shakib Al Hasan, Tawhid Hridoy, Mahmud Ullah Riyad, Jaker Ali Anik, Tanvir Islam, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib. Traveling reserves: Afif Hossain, Hasan Mahmud