New-Zealand captain Daniel Vettori was full of praise for Bangladesh cricket team after they were outplayed and outwitted in three consecutive matches and said they have learnt a lesson from the hosts.
‘I think our batting has let us down in this series, we haven’t been able to put score on the board. We consistently put ourselves under pressure through and through. They have been outstanding on the field and with the ball and they really showed us lesson under this condition,’ Vettori said after the series loss to Bangladesh on Thursday.
The Black Caps, who need to win the next match to save their face from a whitewash, were beaten by nine runs in the fourth ODI on Thursday.
New Zealand’s top order had not fired as a unit so far on the tour, and their performance in Thursday’s must-win encounter was no different.
‘The difference was 80 for 5 and I think we put ourselves under so much pressure from there and we have done it every game, so that’s something we need to rectify,’ Vettori pointed out.
‘I think sort of 80-5, 100-5, 90-6 is the reason we are 3-0 down and through a fantastic bowling from the whole Bangladesh team and they have been outstanding on the field and with the ball and they really showed us a lesson under this condition,’ Vettori said.
Sakib came to the Tigers’ rescue again, first taking his team out of immediate danger with a 53-run partnership with Imrul Kayes, before combining with Mushfiqur Rahim for another half-century stand.
‘They just play well, they play a lot better in their own condition and they got some good players up in their sleeve. Sakib has been outstanding in this series and he has led them exceptionally well,’ Vettori said.
‘It is incredibly frustrating, every game you play, you play to win and when that doesn’t happen, it’s disappointing. Bangladesh are an improving team but we should still be able to beat them and we should still be coming here and play better then we have. It’s a most disappointing thing that we haven’t actually played that well.’
‘It’s gone alright with the
ball; it’s just not working with the bat. I let myself down and let the team down with my performances. I think you need a captain to lead and that hasn’t happened with the bat so far,’ he said.
Vettori also praised home crowd who virtually acted as the 12th man for Bangladesh.
‘They were fantastic. I thought the crowd probably put more pressure on the Bangladesh team than on us. I think anytime someone blocks three balls they get little bit upset with them. It’s a great crowd to play in front of; Bangladesh is luckily to have such a vocal crowd,’ he said.
Vettori is now looking to his batsmen to make the most of a good start as they look to bounce back from three consecutive defeats and restore some pride in Sunday’s final one-dayer.
‘We have got one game left for little bit of pride and I know run back home will be extremely disappointing but international cricket is about playing often and we are going to make sure we tune out for the next game and win,’ he said.
