Bangladesh team defeated Hong Kong at the beginning of the Asia Cup. However, the Tigers lost by a big margin against Sri Lanka last Saturday (September 13). After the loss to Sri Lanka that day, Zaker Ali Anik blamed the wind for their batting failure in a press conference.
Zaker said, ‘Wind is a factor. You can’t die on both sides of this field. You have to play on the ground on one side.’ Of course, there was wind in Abu Dhabi when the match started. But that can’t be an excuse for defeat! Former BCB selector and member of the technical committee of this year’s Asia Cup Minhajul Abedin Nannu was surprised to hear Zaker’s excuse.
He told the media in Abu Dhabi, ‘I have never heard (such an allegation). Sri Lanka also batted in the same conditions, they have adapted. When you go to the field and play one or two overs, you understand where and how to play shots. It is the responsibility of the batter.’
Nannu believes that Bangladesh’s batters have failed to fulfill this responsibility, “The ball skids on the Abu Dhabi wicket. We have to play very normal cricket here. And the field is also quite big. The sides of this field are much bigger compared to other fields. Here, you have to think a lot about short balls and play.”
However, Nannu still sees a chance for Bangladesh to play in the Super Four, “I won’t say the opportunity is completely gone. Of course there is a chance. There is a game with Afghanistan. So if we can do something good here, we will definitely get a chance to go to the Super Four.”
FAQ
What excuse did Zaker Ali give after Bangladesh’s loss to Sri Lanka?
Zaker Ali blamed the wind in Abu Dhabi, saying it affected Bangladesh’s batting and made shot selection difficult.
How did Minhajul Abedin respond to Zaker Ali’s statement?
Minhajul Abedin dismissed the excuse, saying Sri Lanka played in the same conditions and adapted better, so wind cannot justify defeat.
What did Nannu highlight as the main reason behind Bangladesh’s batting failure?
He stressed that Bangladesh batters failed to adapt to the pitch and conditions, especially against short balls on a big ground.
Does Nannu believe Bangladesh still has a chance in the Asia Cup?
Yes, he believes Bangladesh still has a chance to qualify for the Super Four if they perform well against Afghanistan.
