Mushfiqur: Our bowlers let us down in the first innings

Bangladesh

Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim said their bowling effort in the first innings let them down as they fell to a heavy 333-run defeat against South Africa in the first Test in Potchefstroom on Monday.

The Tigers lost seven wickets for just 41 runs on the fifth morning to be 90 all out and slide to a resounding defeat to go one-nil down in the two-match series.

However the major difference between the teams came in the first innings when the Proteas piled up a total of 493/3 declared after Mushfiqur had won the toss and shockingly elected to field first on a  flat pitch.

The tourists could only reply with 320 in their first innings and even though it was their highest total ever scored in South Africa, they were always on the back foot.

REPORT: Timid Tigers tamely tumble to defeat

Speaking after the game: Mushfiqur said: “Our bowlers let us down in the first innings. It was a flat track but we could have put the balls in the right areas.

“I can’t remember the last time we were bowled out under 100. It was really disappointing.”

When asked if he would change his mind had he got the chance to make a different call after winning the toss, he said: “Probably (would you have batted first in hindsight). I did not know the wicket would be this flat.”

The Tigers skipper said his side will have be mentally tough to pick themselves up for the second and final Test of the series that starts in Bloemfontein on Friday.

Mushfiqur continued: “Probably, we will come up with good plans in the next Test match. Probably we will play good cricket in the next match.

“Hopefully we will go well in the next matches. As professionals we need to be mentally tough.”

Bangladesh Bangladesh tour to South Africa Mushfiqur Rahim

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