September 21, Dhaka – Bangladesh batting coach David Hemp has voiced his concerns regarding the inability of the team’s top order to convert promising starts into substantial scores. This issue has been glaringly evident in their recent games, especially as observed in their current series.
During Saturday’s post-match press conference, Hemp highlighted that Bangladesh openers, Zakir Hasan and Shadman Islam, despite putting up a half-century opening stand in the daunting run chase of 515 against India, failed to capitalize on their promising start. Zakir was dismissed for 33, while Shadman fell for 35. Their early dismissals, after promising starts, meant that the tourists couldn’t build the formidable platform required to chase such a mammoth score.
“It’s something we repeatedly discuss,” Hemp stated. “Once you’ve faced 20-30 balls, you start getting a feel of the game. It’s essential, especially when you’re on 30-40 runs, to dig in and make it count. You’ve done the hard work; make sure to cash in on it.”
Hemp’s concern is more than just occasional slips. It’s a pattern that Bangladesh has displayed over several series. According to the coach, “We did it in patches in Pakistan. We’re continually talking about and working on it in practice. Getting ourselves in and staying in is something we’ve been lacking. Looking back to March against Sri Lanka, we didn’t do it well enough.”
Acknowledging that improvement is visible, Hemp emphasized that batsmen need to ensure they are making the most of their starts. “We’re getting that better now. But ideally, once you’ve faced 40-60 balls, targeting 120 balls would carve out a substantial performance. That’s when you walk away with a reasonable reward,” he asserted.
Another tactical issue Hemp identified is the homogeneity in Bangladesh’s top four, all of whom are left-handers. From the opponent’s perspective, it simplifies bowling strategy as they don’t need to frequently alter their lines. “From a bowling line perspective, they’re quite similar. But each batsman has different strengths and scores off different lengths. So it’s a bit of a yes and no in terms of advantage,” he explained.
. Hemp dismissed the idea of shuffling the batting order just to break the pattern, suggesting that it wasn’t seen as an issue in one-day cricket.
Despite the missed opportunities, Hemp remains hopeful. He praised India’s formidable record at home, acknowledging the uphill task Bangladesh faces. “I think India have won 17 Test series at home. Everyone knows how formidable they are anywhere in the world, particularly at home,” he said.
Bangladesh’s strategy, according to Hemp, involves focusing not just on the threats posed by the Indian bowlers but also on the opportunities available. “We’ve got to keep those opportunities in the front of our minds. Otherwise, there’s no point competing,” he noted.
The coach outlined a dual approach, one that counterbalances offense with caution. “We need to impact the game with our strengths while nullifying certain bowlers at key moments. Be mindful of how the field is set, and make sure they don’t settle into a pattern against one batsman,” Hemp instructed.
Hemp further insisted that looking to score, rather than just surviving, is crucial when facing top-ranked teams like India, England, and Australia. “If our mindset is just about survival and not about scoring, we’ll miss out on opportunities. Indian bowlers, like all others, are human. They won’t execute perfectly every time. If we’re not looking to score, we won’t capitalize on their misses.”
As for the present status of the pitch, Hemp offered a tactical insight: “In terms of the days left to bat, it’s still a good wicket. Yes, we saw Ashwin getting a couple of balls to bounce significantly. But it’s still a surface where runs can be scored. So for us, tomorrow is crucial. With 360 more runs needed to win, let’s see how things unfold,” he concluded.
This emphasis on converting starts and leveraging opportunities against strong teams is the crux of Hemp’s approach to improving Bangladesh’s batting strategy. As the series progresses, it remains to be seen if these insights will translate into on-field performances.