Sanjay Bangar has criticized Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim for throwing away their wickets after being set in Bangladesh’s Asia Cup 2023 Super Four clash against Pakistan. On Wednesday, 6 September, the Tigers were bowled out for 193 in Lahore despite Shakib and Mushfiqur sharing a 100-run fifth-wicket partnership. The Men in Green registered a comprehensive seven-wicket win with 10 overs to spare. Super Four phase on a positive note. During a discussion on Star Sports, Bangar was asked about his views on the partnership of the experienced duo, to which he replied:
“Thus far in this tournament, Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mehidy Hasan Miraz batted well, so the expectation was that Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim would prolong the innings or their partnership.”
The former Indian all-rounder added:
“Both of them lost their wickets after getting set. Shakib got out while playing the pull shot but when Haris Rauf returned to bowl, Mushfiqur played a very adventurous shot on the first delivery itself. However, before that, both of them took them to a slightly respectable position with their partnership.“
Shakib tries to make the maximum with a pull shot, caught by Fakhar Zaman at deep backward square leg off Faheem Ashraf. Mushfiqur danced down the wicket to play an aggressive shot off Haris Rauf but managed only to give an edge to Mohammad Rizwan behind the wicket.
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“He Was Coming Right Behind The Ball” – Sanjay Bangar On Shakib Al Hasan’s Batting Approach
Sanjay Bangar was also asked about his views on Shakib Al Hasan’s innings, to which he replied:
“It was a Test match-like position. As he has so much experience, he was coming right behind the ball. When the bowling is so fast, you cannot play much beside the line. When you come inwards, you get a lot of deliveries on your legs.”
The former India batting coach said Bangladesh would have set Pakistan a more challenging target if their skipper had stayed at the crease for a while. They said:
“When he went on the back foot, he played quite a few shots in the point region. He attacked brilliantly even if he was given slight width and that is what makes him special. I feel if he had batted for a little while longer, because this Bangladesh side have the depth, they might have taken the score beyond 250.”
Shakib Al Hasan was the fifth Bangladesh batsman to be dismissed when his score was 147 in the 30th over. He lost his remaining five wickets for just 46 runs and was out in the 39th over.
