ZCZC
BSP-18
CRICKET-SHAKIB-BATTING-ORDER
Tigers ploy to chase 398-run target doesn’t work: Shakib
CHATTOGRAM, Sept 8, 2019 (BSS) – While Bangladesh’s change in batting order in the chase of improbable 398-run target to win the Test against Afghanistan left everyone in surprised state, captain Shakib Al Hasan said the plan could be praised if it worked well.
Liton Das replaced Soumya Sarkar in the opening position with Shadman Islam while Mosaddek Hossain came to bat in no. 3 position instead of Mominul.
The batting order of Shakib, Mushfiqur, Soumya and Mahmudullah Riyad also alternated due to the change in the top two positions.
Shakib said they gave it a shot to chase down that huge total and therefore the changes happened.
“As we are planning to chase 400 runs we had to shift our batting order. We did not chase 400 before. If we are chasing 200 batting order will remain the same but for chasing 400 we have to shift the batting order we change the batting for something good,” Shakib said after the match.
“In the first innings we score 200 in the same wicket what less we could get in the second innings. We planned for betterment of the team when the plan comes out we say good things but when it did not come out we say bad thing about the plan. Our plan was to not give wicket to Nabi as their first threat was Nabi because bowling pace bowler from the other end. For left right combination, Nabi did not get wicket in the first spell. We could not be successful in playing big innings.
“For chasing 400 we need to alter batting order. Basically you cannot question the planning because when it is successful you appreciate and when it is not you do not like it.
“Last night I was planning to play two right handed batsmen and I was planning to open Mosaddek. Everybody was involved in our planning including the coach.”
But Bangladeshi batsmen crumbled under pressure to be reduced to 136-6 on day four in the one-off Test against Afghanistan on Sunday. They still need 262 runs with four wickets at hands to win the Test or survive three sessions to draw it.
“If the result would be in our side, it would happen. If our plans were properly execute, this (situation) would not happen. Because we could not execute the plans properly, that’s why it has happened. So it’s natural to blame for plans after that,” Shakib remarked.
“Mosaddek looked most comfortable among us during the first innings against spin. And we faced a lot of spin bowls. So we had that plan yesterday night that if he makes bat upwards and play like that, he can play a big innings,” Shakib said of Mosaddek’s promotion.
“He already has experience of playing big innings. He has scored four of five double hundred at first class level. So to chase 400, we needed some players who have the experience of playing big innings. That’s why this plan.”
“And at the same time, he could be effective against the left spinners. So we had a plan of going with left and right combination. That’s why he was promoted. He batted well so far he batted. But he couldn’t execute. If he hit that shot down, it would be four and would not get out. The situation could be different then. It never looked that he could get out against the spinners.”
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