'270 was chaseable', insists Miraz after Bangladesh fail to chase 247

Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz insisted that the Mirpur surface for the opening ODI against New Zealand was “a great wicket”, one where “even 270” would not have been difficult to chase -- an interesting take from the skipper who saw his side stumble while chasing even a lower total. 

In reality, it was a more familiar story. Under a scorching sun on a typically sluggish Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium surface, Bangladesh failed to overcome a modest 247, getting bundled out for 221 in 48.3 overs to lose by 26 runs on Friday.

“I think we bowled really well and [even] 270 is not difficult to chase on this wicket. I think it's a great wicket and our bowlers did very well [to restrict NZ to 247]. If we had taken two catches, definitely we would have kept them under 200 runs,” Miraz said after the match.

“So, it's a little mistake from our team. I think we have a lot of positives as well… one of the positives came as a blessing in disguise, the inclusion of Shoriful [Islam] last minute,” he added, referring to Shoriful Islam’s late call-up after Mustafizur Rahman’s injury.

Apparently, the "little mistake" that Miraz has pointed out has become a worrying trend. In the last two years, the Tigers have successfully chased a target in ODIs just once in eight attempts, that too a modest 115 against Pakistan.

The pitch, meanwhile, appeared to test just about every batter on the day, Miraz included, who managed six off 14 balls. Yet, the Bangladesh skipper saw things differently.

Miraz also pointed to partnerships that never quite materialised when they mattered most.

“I think back-to-back two wickets is always key for the opponent's team. The way Litton and Towhid batted was brilliant… Towhid and Afif as well. But we had to finish well, otherwise we cannot win. If we made a big partnership, definitely we would have won this one,” Miraz parroted from the same script that apparently every Bangladesh captain follows after failing to chase regulation scores.   

That “if” has become a recurring theme. Chasing 247, Bangladesh stumbled early, losing Tanzid Tamim (2) and Najmul Hossain Shanto (0) in the fourth over to Nathan Smith. Saif Hassan, dropped on one, and Litton Das then stitched together a 93-run stand to steady the innings as the Tigers looked settled an on course to get over the line.

Saif scored a measured 57 off 76 balls before falling to Will O’Rourke in the 23rd over, while Litton’s fluent 46 off 68 ended at the hands of Dean Foxcroft, leaving Bangladesh at 132 for four in 27.2 overs.

Hridoy kept the chase alive with a fighting 55 off 60 balls and shared a 52-run stand with Afif Hossain. But Afif’s laboured 27 off 49 balls took away momentum before he was caught in the deep in the 41st over.

From there, the innings unravelled in predictable fashion as wickets falling in a procession, the required rate climbing, and the chase quietly slipping away. Hridoy, the last recognised resistance, was eventually dismissed as Bangladesh were bundled out for 221.