Image Credit- AFP
At the Wankhede Stadium, a small group of Bangladesh
supporters groaned in unison in a section of the Garware pavilion that was
adjacent to their team’s locker room and just above their dugout. During a
383-run World Cup chase, Bangladesh had just lost five wickets in the first 15
overs. Their emotions had already been dampened by the afternoon heat and South
Africa’s heavy hitting, and now this. They scarcely spoke at all. Even the
loudest of them slouched in his chair.
Both captain Shakib Al Hasan and centurion Mahmudullah
claimed that their bowling in the final 10 overs was the reason they lost the
match. The three fast bowlers and Shakib allowed 144 runs to be scored during
the third powerplay, which is a record for Bangladesh in an ODI. From 238 for 3
to 382 for 5, South Africa exploded. They had lost control against Sri Lanka
earlier in the competition and England a few days prior. Such a thrashing at
the Wankhede Stadium against a struggling Bangladesh bowling attack was
inevitable.
Between overs 30 and 40, Quinton de Kock and Heinrich
Klaasen contributed 73 runs as they prepared for a strong finale. The bowlers
from Bangladesh tried every line and length combination, but once Shakib went
for 22, his worst World Cup over, the floodgates really opened.
After allowing two sixes in the 44th over, Shakib did
not bowl another over. Shoriful Islam and Hasan Mahmud both took four sixes
each, bringing the total to 12 sixes in the final 10 overs. Mustafizur Rahman
also hit two sixes.
Mahmudullah, who scored his third World Cup century
considerably later in the match, claimed that the older players had been
discussing chasing between 320 and 330 at the time of the second drink break.
“I was talking to Shakib and Mushy around the
(second) drinks break. On a good wicket, we were trying to lessen the damage
when they were 238 in 40 overs. I think 320 to 330 was chaseable, but it was a
tough ask to chase 380-plus. The bowlers tried hard but when Klaasen and Quinny
are in rhythm it is hard to stop them,” he said.
Bangladesh’s experience with South Africa’s death
overs hitting may be an anomaly. For the remainder of the competition, perhaps
it won’t happen in this manner again. Bangladesh’s mentality will benefit more
from speedy recovery from this performance, especially for the bowlers. Taking
their opportunities early would give them greater confidence at the end, so
they should be aware of rival teams going for the same tempo in the last
powerplay.
If Shoriful, Mahmud, and Mustafizur can learn from
this performance, they will be wiser bowlers in their upcoming matches. There
is a lot riding on Bangladesh’s fast bowlers to perform well in the remaining
games and have a long-lasting career.