Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal refused to put the blame on wicket for their massive batting failure that took them to the brink of yet another embarrassing defeat in the second Test in St Lucia. The wicket provided sharp bounce and movement and West Indies appeared to have taken full advantage to leave Bangladesh struggling at 104-7 in just one-and-a-half session on the second day on Sunday.
Tamim, the only batsman looking comfortable before he got out for 48, however, said the wicket had little to do with the collapse as most of the batsmen gifted their wickets without trying to offer any resistance.
‘It’s true that this wicket is somewhat different than the others,’ said the left-hander. ‘It is also different to the one of the last Test. But I don’t think it is that much damaging. Most of our batsmen, including myself, got out for our own mistake. Maybe in just one or two wickets the pitch had a role.
‘You can say the dismissal of Mominul, he got out in a very good ball. The out of Shamsur Rahman was also down to a very good delivery. A batsman can get the connection to the ball in this kind of delivery may be once in 10 times, so you just cannot blame Shamsur,’ he said.
Bangladesh’s batting woes began with Shamsur’s departure, who had a slight connection to a ball going down the leg as Denesh Ramdin took a fine catch with one hand jumping to his left.
Mominul was also victim of a superb catch that too off a brilliant ball, something that the left-hander was not capable of handling. The ball rose sharply and Mominul was looking to fend it off towards the square leg.
Jermaine Blackwood completed the catch at forward short-leg to leave Bangladesh panicked finally after they bowled West Indies out for a reasonable score of 380.
Tamim said the senior cricketers were expected to take responsibility in this kind of situation but they simply could not do it. Mushfiqur Rahim left a big hole between his bat and pad to see himself bowled by Taylor and Nasir Hossain made the call for his axing from the side louder following the skipper shortly.
Tamim also took some blame on himself for wasting a start as he looked solid until he threw his wicket.
‘All of us making one or other mistakes,’ he said. ‘It happened four or five times this year, not just once or twice. Those of us who are seniors, we must take some responsibility. Just look at [Shivnarine] Chanderpaul, [Kumar] Sangakkara. When they play well their team also do well. And we must do the same. Whoever gets the start, he has to carry the team.’
Asked if the batsmen have any lack of understanding between them as Bangladesh are often unable to build any significant partnership, the left-hander said there are not that many superstars in the team who cannot communicate with each others.
‘When the team do not play well you can see this type of problem,’ said the former vice-captain. ‘It’s not unusual. But we are not that big team that the players will have lack of understanding between themselves.
‘I don’t think we also had any serious pressure on us. Yes, there are some big criticisms. But it happens to every team more or less, not just.
‘You people are doing your job and better not pay any attention to it. We should try to do whatever we need to do. The more we can do this, the more we will be benefitted.’
-With New Age input
