ICC T20 World Cup 2016
New Zealand Vs Bangladesh, Played At Eden Gardens on 26 March 2016
New Zealand 145/8 (Kane Williamson 42, Mustafizur Rahman 5/22) beat Bangladesh 70 (Grant Elliot 3/12, I Sodhi 3/21) by 75 Runs
DHAKA: It was the 45th Anniversary of the glorious Independence Day of Bangladesh. It was anniversary of the commencement the liberation war. Bengal Tigers were expected to demonstrate the spirit of Liberation War committing their best for winning or going down fighting. Neither happened as Bangladesh was completely swept away by the avalanche of Kiwis bowlers. Team tigers were defeated, disgraced and humiliated in losing by 75 runs chasing a target of 146 to win on a slow low turning track.
Bengal Tigers humiliated and disgraced themselves in the last match of their mission World Cup 2016 getting bundled out for 70, the lowest total of the tournament. New Zealand won by 75 runs on the low slow Eden Gardens wicket. The real quality, skill and temperament of Bangladesh were shockingly exposed while responding to not too big a target of 146 to win that New Zealand offered.
The batsmen did not apply to adjust to conditions, played recklessly like irresponsible bunch of amateur cricketers played on a picnic mood. The defeat was too disgraceful to absorb for the very supportive Bangladeshi followers who earlier witnessed brilliant bowling of their mysterious bowling treasure Mustafizur Rahman producing the best bowling performance of the tournament. He was unplayable on the wicket which gripped and assisted his slow cutters, his brand and innovation to world cricket. Mustafiz took 5/22 in his 4 overs which was not enough in winning him player of the match.
New Zealand won all four matches in the group of death and Bangladesh lost all four. The former stormed into the semi-final in style while the disgraced later team returned home with bitter memories. Kiwis were not the fancied team of the tournament which featured favorites India, Australia and unpredictable Pakistan alongside Bangladesh. Yet unfancied Kiwis surprised all and deservedly advanced playing excellent, well-planned cricket with clinical perfection.
Bangladesh started its journey with shocking defeat against Pakistan at the Eden Gardens and completed their mission with humiliating defeat against New Zealand. In between they could stretch Australia and threw away shockingly the golden opportunity of winning against India. It was nightmare the way they batted against New Zealand on a slow low wicket giving impression that their only aim was returning to dug out and getting ready for home-bound flight. It was spineless, disgraceful batting. It was an abject surrender. There cannot be any explanation, any logic for the poor batting. There was no stomach to fight. There was no match planning, no commitment.
True it was difficult turning around after a match against India which was all but won by Bangladesh, true it could rattle any team after squandering the easiest chance of upsetting the fancied host in their own territory. But in the present time of professional cricket there cannot be any excuse the way Bangladeshi batsmen conducted themselves while batting. They lacked skills. They lack will to fight and show any game or match plan.
It all started with experienced quality all-rounder Nasir Hossain being overlooked and ignored throughout the series in favor of underperforming Mithun Ali. There can be some logic in letting Shuvagata Hom another match but there cannot be any logic other than arrogance of team think tank in ignoring Nasir. One Nasir perhaps could not change the fate of the match but it was like overlooking the best possible team combination for a win. It was a crime committed by criminals in team management.
New Zealand possesses two wicket taking pacers Trent Boult and Tim Southee in their squad. But they read the wicket so well that they rather preferred playing three spinners including leg spinner Sodhi. They had horses for the courses and the horses ran the derby for them.
Bangladesh bowled with skills and guts and fielded well to the best of their abilities. Especially Magic of Mustafiz was in display. Kiwis playing him for the first time could not decode his mystery. Four out of his five victims were clean bowled. His 5/22 was the best in T20 World Cup. This boy will soon play in IPL for Hyderabad franchise and will also play for Sussex in English county. Sky is his limit if he manages to hold his own.
Batting on the double paced wicket required lots of skill and cool temperament. Some Kiwis including the captain had all. His well composed 42 of 32 deliveries laid the foundation of a challenging 145/6 for his team. Colin Munro struck some blows in his 35 of 32. Otherwise Kiwis innings was a fairy tale story for Mustafiz. He struck timber regularly with his uncanny brilliance.
Bangladesh innings started with a foolish run out or would say Tamim committing a suicide in pursuit of a nonexistent run. Mithun looked pretty ordinary. Sabbir, Shakib, Mahmudullah and Mushfique all fell due to lack of skills and temperament of playing quality spin on a low slow wicket. Soumya stumping evidenced that he does not know the basics of playing spin on a turning track. Mithun tried slogging unnecessarily and paid the penalty. Shakib tried a lofted stroke too early. In the given circumstance he could take a leaf out of Munro, a man with far less experience, did not even look to strike a boundary until his 25th ball in the 14th over of the innings. Only Mushfique got an unplayable little leg cutter that whisked past outside edge and hit his off-stump. The bowler was bemused with the turn.
There were some poor umpiring decisions and unfortunately all went against Bangladesh. These, however, were not enough to change the course of the match though.
The story was no different on the day. Kiwi bowlers Ish Sodhi and Grant Elliot exploited the situation well. None of Bangladesh while batting did apply. There was no message sent from the dugout, no counselling, no mentoring. It was totally disgraceful the manner tigers collapsed. The wicket was not unplayable. It was pure and simple poor batting by less skilled and non-committed Bangladeshis. There could not be any justifiable reasons why Bangladesh innings was wrapped up for 70.
New Zealand richly deserved winning big and finishing unbeaten leader of the death group. They will be playing against England in the semi-final. West Indies will wait for the winner of Australia India match for their opponent.
It appeared as a relief for Bangladeshis when their innings folded for 70 the lowest score of the tournament. India earlier was all out for 79 against New Zealand in the group. Bangladeshis appeared set to avail a 30 minutes flight home after a bitter sweet eventful mission World Cup 2016.
Team Management and BCB owe explanation about squad selection and team selection. There must be logical explanation why Nasir Hossain was selected in the original squad and did not get a game? If he was not good enough why he was in the squad to start with? In which manner Mithun Ali contributed more? What is team combination of a team which lost all its group matches? Head Coach Hathurusingha and BCB President must explain. There are reports that selection process was dictated. Will someone own responsibilities and apologize to the nation? Mashrafe and the squad did all they could. There must be reason for great Mashrafe dropping shoulders on occasion apart from Taskin, Sunny sad episode.
The mission ended in frustrations. Tigers definitely did not deserve such unceremonious exit. Better planning, better management of resources could have changed the story. BCB management, selectors and head coach must explain.
The consistently brilliant performance of New Zealand deserves special accolade. They were not the fancied team in the group of death featuring India, Australia and Pakistan. They beat them all playing positive cricket. Bangladesh were outclassed. They played four matches in four different venues and adjusted superbly with changed conditions. Two of their precious resources Trent Boult and Tim Southee were not unleashed. In every match they had horses for the courses. If only they play with such consistence it may be the first time they reach glory.
BDST: 0836 HRS, MAR 28, 2016
SR
