BAN v AFG | Mosaddek looked most comfortable, we hoped he’d play a big innings, says Shakib Al Hasan
Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan has justified his decision to send in Mosaddek Hossain at No.3 as the hosts looked to save the Test match on the last two days of play. Mosaddek, who batted at No.8 and impressed with 48 in the first innings, could only score 12 the second time out.
Bangladesh is battling to save the Test match – and their face – against a humiliating loss against rivals Afghanistan. Set a target of 398 batting fourth, the hosts lost Liton Das when the team total reached 30. The skipper then decided to raise a few eyebrows by sending in first innings top-scorer Mosaddek. However, the plan failed and Mosaddek walked back into the hut as the team total crept past 50.
"When results don't go your way, then planning is blamed. Mosaddek looked most comfortable among us during the first innings against spin. And we faced a lot of spin, so we planned last night that if he bats upwards and plays like that, he can play a big innings," Shakib said after the fourth day's play, reported Cricbuzz.
"He already has the experience of playing big innings. He has scored four or five double hundred at first class level. And at the same time, he could be effective against the left-arm spinner. The plan was to not give a wicket to Nabi, and he did not get a wicket in that first spell," he said.
The Afghan spinners wreaked havoc once again, reducing the hosts to 136/6 at stumps, with the last two recognised batsmen Shakib Al Hasan and Soumya Sarkar at the crease. So far, the spinners have picked up 15 of the 16 wickets that have fallen and the Bangladesh skipper reckons it has to do with the lack of match practice against wrist spin bowling.
"You can say both [technical and mental]. Because we don't play wrist spinners whether it's left or right handed, it's something new for us. We brought many wrist spinners and practiced against them in the nets. Until you play in the match and become successful, the practice would not help much,'' he said.
The all-rounder reckons that the fear of the format is holding his players back from playing their natural game and he cited opener Liton Das as a prime example.
"I won't say anyone had problem with their approach, the problem was in execution. What was lacking was playing with a big heart. When you play with fear, you will face problems with execution. Like Liton, when he plays T20s he plays the reverse sweep shot, but he could not do it in Tests. It's a failure for him and the team. Coach has said the same; he wants us to play with an open mind," Shakib noted.
With another 270 runs required and only four wickets to play with, nobody is expecting Bangladesh to go for the win. Except, of course, their captain.
"We still need more than 270 runs but still there is me and Soumya, and both of us have to score hundreds. It is difficult but nothing is impossible. And there is rain and it can also save us," Shakib added.