In the aftermath of Bangladesh’s disappointing start in the T20I series against India, skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto has spoken candidly about his team’s ongoing struggles during the powerplay phase. On Sunday, October 6, Bangladesh faced India in the opening match of the three-match T20I series, ultimately succumbing to a seven-wicket defeat with 49 balls remaining in Gwalior. The match highlighted a recurring issue for Bangladesh—ineffective utilization of the powerplay.
Choosing to bat first, Bangladesh amassed only 39 runs in the first six overs, ending their innings with a total of 127. By contrast, India unleashed a powerful performance during their powerplay, compiling 71 runs and comfortably chasing down the target in just 11.5 overs. This stark difference underscores Bangladesh’s struggles in making the most of the early overs, a situation that has plagued them for some time in the T20 format.
Bangladesh’s powerplay woes are coupled with a prolonged difficulty in establishing a solid opening partnership. Recently, Bangladesh’s opening batsmen managed to contribute a mere 5 runs in the latest match. Alarmingly, the overall contribution from the opening pair in the last eight innings stands at only 69 runs, with their highest partnership amounting to just 35. This lack of stability at the top of the order has been a major concern for the team.
Speaking to reporters after the match at the Madhav Rao Scindia Cricket Stadium, Najmul emphasized the significance of a strong start. “Powerplay is definitely a worry,” he acknowledged. “The approach we talked about before the game, it will be successful if we make a good start with the bat. We have to keep the wickets in the first six overs and score runs during this period. Otherwise, those batting afterwards face a daunting task.
. We have struggled in the powerplay, and it’s imperative for those batting in this phase to assume greater responsibility.”
The Bangladesh captain identified skill set and mentality as key areas where his team differs from stronger opponents like India. Despite the defeat, Najmul was keen to assert that Bangladesh is not as inept as the performance suggested. “I wouldn’t say we played badly. We are a better team than this. Although we haven’t done well in this format for some time, I firmly believe we are not as bad as people think,” he stated.
Furthermore, Najmul refrained from singling out any individual player for criticism, instead pointing to a collective failure of the batting unit on that day. He called for a balance in aggression and shot selection, urging the team not to hastily alter their approach. “We have the ability but there is room for improvement in our skills. We’ve been batting in this way for the last ten years, and there are times when we excel. Perhaps we need to make changes in our practice methods back home. We often play on 140-150 pitches at home, and our batters aren’t accustomed to scenarios requiring 180 runs. It’s not just the pitches that are to blame; we must also consider our skills and mindset,” he elaborated.
Going forward, Najmul emphasized the need for introspection and improvement. He stressed the importance of adopting a more comprehensive training regime that focuses on enhancing both the technical and mental aspects of the game. The Bangladesh skipper is hopeful that with dedicated practice and a shift in approach, his team will soon demonstrate their true potential in T20 cricket, leaving behind the tag of underperformers.