Shanto on Bangladesh’s poor batting display that seen them crumble to a 280-run defeat within 4 days in Chennai.
Shanto laments the sub-par batting display of his side after losing the first test in Chennai.
Bangladesh’s top-half collapse in the opening innings finally cost them. In contrast to their 149 all out first innings, Bangladesh was bowled out for 234 in their second innings. On the second afternoon, they were 40 for 5, a stretch of play that Shanto feels cost them the match.
“We didn’t bat well in the first innings”, Shanto said. “It was a very important phase of the game. We could have been in a better position if we had at least one [big] top-order partnership. There will always be a challenge for the top order to do well, especially in the first innings. It is important to see how we are coping with it. We are working towards it but we are not getting the desired results.”
The top order recovered slightly in the second attempt on the third day when openers Zakir Hasan and Shadman Islam added 62 runs. But it was miniscule given that they were chasing 515.
“It is important to spend the time in the wicket but it wasn’t enough [today],” Shanto said. “Still, it will help for the second Test. It was very important for the openers to put on 62 runs. That’s one thing we can look forward to in the next Test match.”
Shanto concluded with an innings-long total of 82, which included eight fours and three sixes, and his maiden Test fifty. Though he thinks he could have done much better, that will cheer up the guests.
“That’s usually how I bat in these type of conditions. I was clear with my plan. I think everyone has a different plan. I hope they (India) will plan differently in the next match,” Shanto said.