Sarkar: Middle-order batsman needed to bat through
Bangladesh batsman Soumya Sarkar believes they needed one of their middle-order players to bat through the overs if they wanted to chase down South Africa’s big total in the first T20I in Bloemfontein on Thursday.
Chasing a target of 196, opening batsman Sarker gave the tourists a good start with 47 ff 31 balls but he was out in the 10th over just when the Tigers needed him bat through the innings.
Sarkar’s wicket sparked a bit of a mini batting collapse as the visitors lost experienced pair Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah fairly quickly after that to fade away and eventually lose by 20 runs.
REPORT: Phehlukwayo and De Villiers do enough for Proteas win
Speaking to reporters after the game, Sarkar said: “If someone from No. 3 to 6 could have played a big innings in the last 10 overs, it would have helped us.
“Then we would have had a set batsman at the crease in the last 10 overs, making things easier for us. They made nearly 200 runs but we also made 175. If one batsman did well in the middle overs, we could have won the game easily.
“But this [performance] will give us confidence that we can also score 200 runs.”
The left-handed Sarkar also admitted that Bangladesh needed to work on how to rotate the strike in T20 cricket, with the Tigers playing out almost as double the amount of dot balls compared to the Proteas.
The Bangladesh batters were intent on hitting boundaries but it was all the in-between deliveries that was going for no runs that really cost them in the end.
Sarkar continued: “Dot balls are a big problem in T20s. We have to reduce that in the next game. Even when we bowled or fielded, we should have saved more runs or not given away the no-ball that went for four.
“They would have scored 20 runs fewer. Chasing 170-odd would have been a different story.”
The second and final T20I between the Proteas and Bangladesh will take place in Potchefstroom on Sunday.
Latest
-
NewsEngland ready to chase down any target India set, says Jonny Bairstow
The tourists established a commanding position, despite Bairstow’s knock of 106.
-
EnglandEngland still battling to contain India despite Jonny Bairstow century heroics
Bairstow’s 106 contained 14 boundaries and two sixes, but England still gave up a 132-run lead after being bowled out for 284.
-
EnglandJonny Bairstow century heroics for England not enough to keep India at bay
Bairstow made 106 in typically rambunctious style, with 14 boundaries and two sixes.
-
NewsIn-form Jonny Bairstow leads England charge against India in Edgbaston decider
The Yorkshireman raced to 91 not out as England progressed to 200 for six.
-
NewsJames Anderson expects England to maintain their aggressive approach
India are in control of Ben Stokes’ team at Edgbaston.
-
NewsStuart Broad delivers costliest Test innings as India take control at Edgbaston
Broad gave up a record 35 runs in the penultimate over of India’s first innings.
-
NewsStuart Broad over costs a Test record 35 runs as India take charge at Edgbaston
The tourists reduced England to 60 for three having made 416 in their first innings.
-
NewsStuart Broad makes history twice on wild morning at Edgbaston
Bowler reached two milestones, one definitely unwanted.
-
NewsTest cricket’s most expensive over – a ball-by-ball account
Stuart Broad’s over to Jasprit Bumrah went for 35 – seven more than the previous record.
-
NewsNew England captain Jos Buttler unable to prevent Lancashire defeat in Blast
The Lightning were defeated by Worcestershire Rapids.