Image Credit- AFP
Against Sri Lanka
last week, Bangladesh’s lower-order batting displayed some signs of
improvement. First, on March 9, in the third Twenty20 International in Sylhet,
Rishad Hossain and Taskin Ahmed delivered some heavy blows. After that, Taskin
continued to contribute at the bat in Friday’s second ODI in Chattogram,
enabling Towhid Hridoy to reach a career-high 96 and helping
Bangladesh overcome a middle-order lull.
Together with Taskin, who hit two fours and a six in his undefeated 10-ball 18,
Hridoy scored 50 runs in the final 3.5 overs. In the T20I on March 9, Taskin
also hit two sixes and three fours, while Rishad hit a record seven sixes.
Hridoy was also
assisted by Tanzim Hasan Sakib, a rookie, on Friday for the seventh wicket.
They added 47 by rotating their strikes sensibly. At a time when Bangladesh had
recently lost Mehidy Hasan Miraz, their only recognised batsman, Tanzim made
eighteen from thirty-three balls.
Hridoy said that he finds the Bangladesh lower-order to be capable of handling
both types of batting. He is confident enough in them to give them back the
strike, he said. “I don’t consider them as tail-enders. I see them as batters.
They are proving their capabilities. I have belief in them.
“They batted well. I told them that keep a positive intent. Hit whenever
you see fit. Taskin bhai asked me if he should give me the strike. I told him
that he should go for his shots too.
“Runs in the death overs often have big impact. Team gets a lot of
confidence when they bat well. I had good partnerships with both Sakib and
Taskin bhai. It is always good for the team.”
Bangladesh has faced
difficulties due to a lengthy tail after they elected to use six specialist
hitters and Mehidy at number seven. He had traditionally batted at No. 8 in all
forms to extend the batting order, but the Bangladeshi team management chose to
take a chance by using five complete bowlers due to his batting improvements.
Despite Shakib Al Hasan’s absence as an all-rounder, they have chosen five
bowling specialists. And it finally appears that their faith in the tail to
pitch in when necessary is beginning to pay off.