‘Liton’s dismissal was the turning point’

Bangladesh have only themselves to blame yet again after falling to a third consecutive defeat in the Super 12 stage of the ICC T20 World Cup shattered their dreams of making it to the semifinals.

However, despite confirming their exit with a three-run loss to the West Indies in Sharjah yesterday, Bangladesh skipper Mahmudullah Riyad believes there is still a lot the Tigers can gain in the next two games.

"There is still a lot to gain. Yes, after losing three games our hope of reaching the semifinal might have become slim, but we still have two more games to go. If we can win those games, it will be good for the team. We are trying desperately to give a hundred per cent but there were a few mistakes that we need to rectify over the next two games," Mahmudullah said during the post-match press conference yesterday.

It came as a surprise that Bangladesh tried to take the game deep. Liton Das, despite getting set at the crease, was looking for singles rather than going for big shots that could have simplified the equation.

With two set batsmen in the form of Liton Das and Mahmudullah at the crease, Bangladesh needed 33 runs from the last four overs with six wickets in hand.

The right-hander was dismissed off the last ball of the 19th over after scoring 44 off 43 balls, featuring four boundaries, as Bangladesh needed 13 runs off the final over of the innings.

"I think we were both batting okay and if Liton's shot would have gone for six, things would have been different. I think Liton's dismissal was the turning point because he was set at the crease and if we had two set batsmen in the last over, we could have easily scored a couple of boundaries," he said.

Drop catches cost Bangladesh severely once again. They had the momentum for more than 70 per cent of their bowling innings before the West Indies batters cashed in on opportunities to score 58 runs in the last five overs and post a fighting total of 142 for seven.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh were left to rue at least nine dropped chances which have cost them immensely.

"We expect our best fielders to grab those chances, especially in crucial situations. But because we are consistently missing those chances, it's obviously a big concern. I think we need to improve our catching," said a sorry-looking Mahmudullah.