Lack of mental maturity and toughness caused Bangladesh the first of the three ODI through D/L method in rain shortened match at Dhaka stadium. 272/9 on a sluggish wicket might sound a fighting score especially after a sedate start but was not proved enough in rain shortened match of 26 over with India requiring 150 to win. India riding on a 99 runs opening partnership between two inform openers Robin Uthappa and Ajinka Rahane won it by 7 wickets with 7 balls to spare. Two key Bangladeshi batsmen Mushfique and Shakib scored 50s and two others Anamul and Mahamudullah scored 40s. But none of could stay till the end shouldering the team to a match winning total.
When there is a case of several batsmen getting and getting out the innings losses the momentum. Opener Anamul after losing Tamim Iqbal (time for his serious soul searching) and Mominul early set anchor but he pathetically failed to rotate the innings. Mushfique and Shakib played brilliantly scoring 50s but got out at wrong time trying to pace the innings. If any of them could stay till the end the story could be different. Bangladesh was ideally place at the 40th extremely difficult chase for India. They did not and neither could Mahamudullah and Nasir capitalize the launching pad. Only two little cameos of Mashrafee and Razzak could assist tigers set a challenging target of 273. Our key batsmen have played well over 100 ODIs. But still none can add value to their innings. Playing good innings and match winning innings are so different. Still tiger batsmen lack mental maturity and toughness. Our batsmen still panic loosing nerves at crunch stages. Mushfique and Shakib tried risky strokes at wrong time when the innings was on a smooth sailing and Riad was foxed by Amith Mishra. This Indian bowling on slow Mirpur Stadium surface should not create any major issue for Bangladesh. Our batsmen must learn how to pace the innings and how to make innings count or we will always be on the wrong side of the coin.
Robin Uthappa and Ajinka Rahane grabbed the opportunity with both hands playing matured opening partnership of run a ball 99. Apart from punishing the loose deliveries with clinical perfections they regularly rotated the strikes to keep the scoreboard ticking. This is an art our early order batsmen must learn the quicker the better. One day cricket is not all about fours and sixes. 4-5 singles every over also counts a great deal. Uthappa –Rahane had lessons to learn for Bangladeshi batsmen. Rain came very heavily but did not last that long to wash the match. The revised target for India was set for 150 in the 26-over which India easily overhauled losing three wickets. Uthappa and Rahane both scored 50s carrying their IPL silky touches. None but Shakib and Mashrafee could make any impression on Indian batting.
Tamim is not in minds and may be given rest to recover his touch. His bat is not talking for a while.
Shamsur Raman Shuvo may be given opportunity .Not playing teenager Taskin was not a smart idea. His pace and youthful exuberance can give edge .He is unknown quality to Indians.
With one gone and still Tigers not back in winning chain rather tigers will be heading for a white wash to a below strength Indian team if they cannot show their hungry teeth to the Indians in the second match. There must be lot to do with mindset and mental toughness.
BDST: 1438 HRS, JUN 16, 2014
