Bangladesh batsman Mushfiqur Rahim plays a shot on the third day of their first Test against India at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore on Saturday. — AFP photo
Bangladesh Test skipper Mominul Haque on Saturday admitted that his side’s failure to play as a unit resulted in a humiliating defeat against India in the first match of two-Test series in Indore.
The Tigers conceded an embarrassing innings and 130-run defeat within the third day at the Holkar Cricket Stadium after their batsmen let themselves down in both innings of the Test.
After getting all-out for just 150 runs on the opening day, Bangladesh had the opportunity to show some fight in the second innings when India declared their first innings on overnight 493-6.
The Tigers had full three days to rectify their mistakes from the first innings but the batsmen once again failed to provide anything significant and were bowled out just for 213 runs.
‘We could not play as a team. We couldn’t make good partnerships. This is not a good team performance, ‘Mominul told reporters after the match.
‘We couldn’t bat well but there are still some positives. Mushy [Mushfiqur Rahim] played well in both the innings. Liton [Das] played well. Miraj [Mehedi Hasan] also did well today [Saturday],’ he added.
Mushfiq, who made highest 43 runs in the first innings, was the best performer for Bangladesh in the second innings as well, scoring 64 off 150 balls – the only individual fifty-plus score in the Test for the Tigers.
Liton (35) and Mehedi (38) also made some contributions but their innings only reduced the margin of defeat.
Mominul claimed that the main reason behind their embarrassing defeat was not playing enough longer version matches in the past few months.
Bangladesh have played just one Test since February and they also lost that game against Afghanistan by 224 runs in Chattogram in September.
‘We didn’t play many Test matches. If you see in last seven months, we played only two Test matches. The main reason behind our loss is our not playing enough Tests,’ he said.
Mominul also lamented for missing out on an opportunity to showcase their ability against Indian bowling attack but was hopeful that they would come out from the situation very soon.
‘Of course, they were threatening. But at the same time, I think that we failed in the batting department. With their three pacers, India currently stands at number one bowling side. There was a big threat but we could not utilise our chances,’ he said.
‘We think we missed the opportunity. But this is part of life. There will be bad times as well as good times in your life. But I am not too much worried about it. I think if we work hard then good results will surely come in our favour,’ he added.
Despite the defeat, Mominul believed that it was a learning experience for all the players and hoped the experience would help them get better over time.
‘I think sitting with the coach on how to improve in Tests will help us a lot. However I think it will take time for it. We have to keep our patience. I think it will be a positive side,’ he said.
Source: New Age.
