Bangladesh Cricket Board president Nazmul Hasan was not happy with the team’s approach in the Super 8 game against Afghanistan as they failed to try and force qualification to the semifinals. However, Bangladesh were needed to score 115 in 12.1 over to reach the last four on a better Net Run-Rate but they didn’t try to chase the qualification and eventually lost the game to Afghanistan to help them secure their spot in a World Cup semi-final for the first time in their cricketing history as well.
“I think we should have tried till the 12 over but what I have seen is that we defended when we were expected to hit while we hit when we were expected to defend and so what can I say,” Nazmul Hasan told reporters following a meeting to review the team’s World Cup performance. “We are happy that we have reached the Super-8, but it is not acceptable that they did not try after losing three wickets [against Afghanistan].
“I heard that the captain said that we didn’t try after three wickets went down and I think that’s not acceptable. I have to find out the reason and could have answered you more appropriately if I have received the report of the head coach and manager and talked with the skipper but I am yet to receive the letter as well as talk with the captain,” he further added.
However, Nazmul Hasan backed the captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, who came under the scanner for his performance in the event. The BCB chief also said that he was impressed with the performance of the some of the younger players but he was disappointed with the overall performance of the seniors as well.
“I think we appointed Najmul as captain on the basis of his performance because he did not drop from the sky but now if he cannot play what can I say. I was feeling that the youngsters would struggle and the seniors would do well but see the juniors played well but that was not the case with seniors,” he added.
Nazmul also added that the board was looking to give a fitting farewell to the senior players Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib and Mahmudullah in ‘a proper manner’ as they were about to end of their careers. While Tamim and Mushfiqur have already retired from T20Is, Shakib and Mahmudullah may retire before the next T20 World Cup, scheduled in India and Sri Lanka in 2026 as well.
“We have full confidence in them [seniors] but there will be a time when they end their journey and I want that both parties should sit together and make sure that it ends well considering they have given so much to Bangladesh cricket,” Nazmul Hasan concluded.
