ZIM vs BAN: Didn't Expect To Lose To Zimbabwe, We Are Better Than Them - Khaled Mahmud

Bangladesh men’s team director Khaled Mahmud chastised the national team for their recent failures in the T20I series against Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe beat Bangladesh by 10 runs in the third T20I match to claim the series 2-1, their first T20I series triumph against the Asian team.

Ryan Burl powers Zimbabwe to a good score after early collapse

Bangladesh were in a commanding position when they held Zimbabwe at 67 for 6 at the end of the 13th over. But a Ryan Burl assault pushed the hosts to a sizeable score of 156/8 in the end. Burl smashed 54 off 28 balls with the help of two fours and six sixes. He was very close to hitting six sixes in a Nasum Ahmed over which went for 34 runs.

Barring Afif Hossain’s 39 not out, no other Bangladesh batter went to a distance. Mahmudullah’s run-a-ball 27 was the second best.

We are better than Zimbabwe: Khaled Mahmud

Mahmud expressed his disappointment over losing the series and termed the Tigers as a better side than Zimbabwe. The Bangladesh team director pointed out missing the fire from their batters in the slog overs.

“I am very disappointed, I didn’t expect to lose to Zimbabwe. We are a better team than them. I would call it a disgrace. I won’t give any excuses. We should have won the T20I series. Losing was quite unusual,” Mahmud was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo. 

“When we needed 10 or 12 runs an over, we were getting six or seven every over. Nobody even tried to hit a six. Everyone was playing for ones and twos. What was that? They batted like trying to protect their place, make enough runs so that they don’t lose their place. 

“When you are chasing 157, you can’t win a game by batting at 90 or 110 strike-rate. Someone had to go after the bowling. Look at their (Burl and Jongwe) strike-rate. They changed the complexion of the game. You can’t expect Litton Das to score every day,” he added. 

Both the teams will play three ODI matches starting on Friday, August 5, at the Harare Sports Club.

Also Read: Bangladesh Schedule For Asia Cup 2022