THE NUMBERS BEHIND TOP-ORDER DEBACLE

The numbers say it all. Bangladesh's oft-vaunted top five -- albeit with the talismanic Shakib Al Hasan absent through injury -- abjectly and collectively failed during the 3-0 ODI whitewash at the hands of hosts New Zealand. Mahmudullah was the fifth wicket to fall in each match and the highest score mustered by the time he fell was 93 in the second game. Conditions were undoubtedly tough and the lead-in ridiculously inadequate to one of the toughest tours for a subcontinent team, but the approach showed by the quintet -- exemplified by Tamim's wild second-ball slog yesterday, will raise a few concerns for this summer's World Cup.

More detailed examination of the collective failure.

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