Defending champions Sri Lanka, led by Sadeera Samarawickrama's impressive 72-ball knock, set a competitive target of 257-9 on a sluggish pitch. In response, Bangladesh, coming off a poor batting display against Pakistan in their previous match, struggled to 236 all out in 48.1 overs, despite Towhid Hridoy's valiant 82.
With two consecutive defeats, Bangladesh's chances of progressing in the tournament's Super Four stage are now in jeopardy. Their final Super Four match against India on September 15 holds the key to their advancement, depending on other results and favorable net run rates
Bangladesh's captain, Shakib Al Hasan, acknowledged the pressing issue of their batting performance, especially with the upcoming World Cup in India next month.
"We haven't been batting well for quite some time. It is a matter of concern. We have to fix these problems. I personally feel that we really needed this reality check before the World Cup," said Shakib during a post-match press conference.
Shakib expressed concern about the team's performance in major tournaments and their inability to perform exceptionally. He stressed the need to rectify their batting issues promptly, as the team's performance has been on a downward spiral in recent months.
One concerning statistic was Mohammad Naim's 33 dot balls during his 46-ball 21. Despite this, Shakib defended Naim, emphasizing that it's more about mentality than skill and that consistency in selection was a priority.
On a positive note, Shakib praised youngster Towhid Hridoy for his resilient 82 and his partnership of 72 runs with Mushfiqur Rahim. Hridoy's performance in the Lanka Premier League (LPL) boosted his confidence, and Shakib hopes he maintains his form as a crucial tournament looms ahead.
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