Familiar batting collapse scripts Tigers' defeat in Tri-series opener

A familiar middle-order batting collapse caused Bangladesh's 21-run defeat to Pakistan in their opening game of the tri-nation T20 tournament at Hagley Oval in Christchurch of New Zealand on Friday.

Bangladesh which looked to seal the deal in an emphatic way after restricting Pakistan to 167-5, lost four wickets for 14 runs in the middle overs, which eventually held them back to 146-8.

Yasir Ali Chowdhury hammered a 42 not out off just 21 but his carnage came at a moment when Bangladesh's chance to win the game was entirely diminished.

The openers-Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Sabbir Rahman failed to play any big innings, being out on 10 and 14 runs respectively and it effectively reduced Bangladesh to 37-2 in the sixth over.

However, Bangladesh turned the tide towards them thanks to Liton Das and Afif Hossain, who dominated Pakistan bowlers in style to raise the hope of a victory.

Bangladesh then experienced a collapse, which turned out to be extremely costly. It all started with Liton Das when his attempted slog-sweep against left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz cost his wicket and broke the 38 ball-50 run partnership between him and Afif.

Liton struck 35 off 26 with four fours and one six. In the immediate next delivery Nawaz got the better of Mosaddek Hossain for naught to peg back Bangladesh innings further.

But still there was a hope as the target was not bigger one. Soon after pacer Shahnawaz Dahani removed Afif for 25 off 23 and leg-spinner Shadab Khan dismissed captain Nurul Hasan Sohan for 8, leaving Bangladesh at 101-6 from 87-2.

Yasir Ali, the last recognized batter then got the tail-enders to fightback but his game sense was disappointing. As Bangladesh needed 66 runs in the last 31 balls with four wickets hands after the dismissal of Sohan, he chose to defend rather than going all out attack.

He attacked the bowlers in the last over when Bangladesh needed 42 runs which meant their hope of an unlikely victory was ended before the game was completed. Yasir alone scored 20 runs in the last overs and anyone will really wonder if this 20 runs would have come in the 16th or 17th over, it certainly would tilt the game Bangladesh's favour.

Shakib Al Hasan earlier chose to opt out the game as he reached New Zealand just less than 24 hours of the match. Sohan who led the side won the all important toss and expectedly decided to bowl first in the pace-friendly wicket.

But apart from Taskin Ahmed, all of Bangladeshi pacers once again frustrated the fans. Taskin who utilized the pace and bounce of wicket to good effect finished with 2-25 in the four overs but so called celebrated bowler Mustafizur Rahman conceded 48 runs in four wickets and remained wicket-less. Young pacer Hasan Mahmud got one wicket after giving away 42 runs in four overs.

In form Mohammad Rizwan, the No. 1 batter in ICC T20 rankings drove the Pakistani innings, slamming an unbeaten 78 off 50 which studded with seven fours and two sixes. Shan Masood was the other notable scorer with 31 off 22.

Source: BSS