Afghanistan Just Crushed Us In Every Department: Shakib Al Hasan

Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan admitted that his side need to ‘make drastic improvements’ in all three departments drastically if they are to compete against Afghanistan after the latter inflicted a heavy 45-run defeat on the Tigers in the first T20I.

Barring the toss, not much went Bangladesh’s way. Shakib’s decision to bowl first was not backed by his bowlers early on. They failed to get the early breakthrough as Mohammad Shahzad and Usman Ghani added 62 runs for the first wicket. Skipper Asghar Stanikzai also played a handy knock of 25 but Bangladesh managed to keep things tight from their end. However, Samiullah Shenwari (36 off 18) and Shafiqullah Shafiq (24 off 8) undid all their good work. Afghanistan collected 52 runs off the last three overs to finish on 167 for 8. In reply, Bangladesh were all out for just 122.

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Speaking after the match, the Bangladesh skipper admitted his side need to improve in all the departments.

”We have to focus on various areas and make drastic improvements,” said Shakib. “They are a good side. In all three departments – batting, bowling and fielding they were ahead of us. ‘They just crushed us in every department,” he added.

Shakib felt his side’s poor show with the ball in the last five overs where they conceded 72 runs was eventually the difference between victory and defeat.

“We bowled well in general but we were let down in the last four overs. It is not acceptable to give away more than 60 runs in the last four overs. We paid the price for it,” he rued.

The decision to give just one over to Mahmudullah raised eyebrows especially after the allrounder took two wickets in that over to dismiss Najibullah Zadran and Mohammad Nabi, thereby reducing Afghanistan to 91/4. When asked about it, Shakib said:

”It was a difficult decision. If he was tried and went for few runs than you would say why I had given him the ball despite having bowlers at my disposal.”

Bangladesh will now have to win the second game on Tuesday to keep the series alive.