Batting unit must deliver to end losing streak: Mahmudullah

 DHAKA - Bangladesh captain Mahmudullah Riyad blamed 
their batting for their perpetual failure in the T20 format in which they 
lost seven straight matches after being thrashed by eight wickets at the 
hands of Pakistan today at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. 
 
    In the last 10 matches in just one month, Bangladesh won only two-against 
Oman and Papua New Guinea in the qualifying round of the Twenty20 World Cup. 
The latest defeat ensured their series defeat to Pakistan in the three-match 
T20 Internationals. 
 
     "I think in the last five-six months, our bowling unit has been 
outstanding, both pace and spin department. It's the batting unit that must 
delivery," Mahmudullah Riyad said after the match.
 
     After being restricted to 127-7 in the first match, Bangladesh yet again 
put on a dismal batting show and limped to 108-7 this in the second game. 
 
     It was a way better wicket as suggested by Pakistan batsman Fakhar Zaman 
who struck a brilliant 51 ball-57 not out to guide the side to an eight-
wicket victory with 11 balls to spare.
 
     "It was a better wicket than yesterday's, not an ideal wicket but better 
than yesterday. Whenever you play outside your country, it's important to win 
games. We'll try to win the third game as well," Fakhar, who was adjudged man 
of the match, said.
 
     Mahmudullah admitted they couldn't capitalize after the partnership of 
Nazmul Hossain Shanto and Afif Hossain despite a shaky start.
 
     As the openers were removed in just two overs, leaving Bangladesh at 5-
2, Afif and Shanto shared 46-run partnership to get the side back on track. 
But Bangladesh failed to pace the innings at the death and scored just 23 
runs in the last five overs. It was where the match was lost.
 
     "We started well, Afif and Shanto batted well. Me and Shanto were trying 
to get a partnership but didn't capitalise in the last few overs," 
Mahmudullah said.
 
     He insisted that a batsman should bat till the 15 th over to get them a 
healthy score in this format. 
 
     "I think a team like us needs a set batter till the 15th over, we didn't 
do that."
 
     Bangladesh's fielding also got worse day by day as they put down two 
easy chances today with Saif Hassan missing Fakhar Zaman's catch at deep 
midwicket when he was on 26 and Taskin shelled the sitter, offered by 
Mohammad Rizwan on 38 at short fine leg. On both occasions, the poor bowler 
was legspinner Aminul Islam.
 
     Mahmudullah cut a forlorn figure, saying they are trying their best and 
doing hard work but nothing is going right for them. 
 
     "Boys are putting in a lot of effort at training, taking catches, doing 
all the things right but are missing chances," he said.BSS