Bangladesh`s commanding victories in the initial duo of T20I showdowns versus Zimbabwe in Chattogram have stirred up mixed feelings, notably from BCB President and Sports Minister Nazmul Hasan. Despite the wins, Nazmul has aired his grievances regarding the national squad`s batting prowess.
Expressing his reservations while conceding the wins, Nazmul articulated his discontent, stating, "We have won two matches against Zimbabwe convincingly, it’s true, but I did not like the batting." This sentiment was echoed during his remarks today in Mirpur.
Nazmul honed in on the batting unit`s struggle in mustering competitive scores, even when facing a seemingly weaker adversary. "There is a gap between our approach to T20 and the IPL," he pointed out. "Even a total of 250-260 doesn`t guarantee a win, and we still struggle to reach 140-145."
However, amidst the batting concerns, Nazmul showered praise upon the bowlers for their stellar displays, singling out Mohammad Saifuddin`s return and the impactful contributions of Mahedi Hasan and Taskin Ahmed. Furthermore, he lauded Mustafizur Rahman for his standout performances in the IPL.
Critics have raised doubts about the efficacy of facing Zimbabwe as a preparation tactic for the impending T20 World Cup, given the team`s recent downturn. Nazmul conceded that the series wasn`t specifically earmarked for preparation but rather part of the ICC Future Tours Program.
Bangladesh aims to clinch the series with a triumph in the third T20I before jetting off to the USA for another three-game T20I series, constituting a crucial part of their World Cup buildup.