North Sound, Antigua and Barbuda: Veteran Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan hit out at the Tigers’ lack of “fight” after a 50-run rout by India effectively ended their T20 World Cup dreams.
Saturday’s mauling was Bangladesh’s second defeat in the Super Eights after an opening loss to Australia.
“We were always thinking that we came to do something good and we will do it,” said former skipper Shakib who was playing in his 128th T20 international.
“But if you look at the result or the performance on the ground, actually we couldn’t show any fight in that way. It’s disappointing.”
Chasing 197 to win, Bangladesh stumbled to 146-8 in their 20 overs against India with skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto top scoring with 40.
Making runs has been a problem for Bangladesh throughout the tournament with Towhid Hridoy their top run-getter with a modest 139 across six innings.
Shakib was the only player to make a 50 when he hit an undefeated 64 in the first round victory against the Netherlands.
“I don’t know how long it will take,” said the 37-year-old Shakib when asked to put a timeframe on Bangladesh winning a world title.
“When we played with two big teams, who were maybe the closest contenders for the World Cup, our gap with them was clearly visible.
“So, it is disappointing to me that we still have such huge gaps.”
Shakib made his international debut in 2006 and has also played in 67 Tests and 247 one-dayers. He has amassed more than 19,500 runs and taken over 700 wickets.
However, he will not make any hasty decisions on whether he will call time on his Bangladesh career.
“If the team think that they need me, and if I think that I need the team and I am feeling desired in that way then it is a matter of playing for the team,” he said.
“Otherwise, if I am not enjoying then of course, I will not play. When it’s time everyone will come to know about it.”
Shakib blasts Bangladesh’s lack of ‘fight’ at T20 World Cup
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Shakib blasts Bangladesh’s lack of ‘fight’ at T20 World Cup
- Saturday’s mauling was Bangladesh’s second defeat in the Super Eights after an opening loss to Australia
- Bangladesh stumbled to 146-8 in their 20 overs against India with skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto top scoring with 40
Saudi Arabia lose to Morocco in final group match of Arab Cup
- Green Falcons had already qualified for quarterfinals
- Oman eliminated despite victory over Comoros
DOHA: Morocco booked their place in the Arab Cup knockout stages after defeating Saudi Arabia on Monday, but Oman’s victory over Comoros in their final group game was not enough to keep their campaign alive.
Needing only a draw to progress, Morocco took all three points against the Green Falcons, who missed a crucial second-half penalty.
The Saudis, already through to the knockouts, made several changes and began brightly, coming close to opening the scoring inside six minutes when Saleh Abu Al-Shamat’s looping header clipped the crossbar.
Despite the early pressure, Morocco kept their composure and took the lead when Tarik Tissoudali teed up Karim El-Berkaoui to put the Atlas Lions in front.
Saudi Arabia pushed for an equalizer and were handed a golden opportunity midway through the second half when Amin Zahzouh fouled substitute Abdullah Al-Hamdan inside the penalty area.
But the striker’s attempt at a “Panenka” sailed over the crossbar.
In the group’s other match, Oman defeated Comoros but were eliminated after failing to make up the required goal difference.
Knowing victory alone would not be enough, Oman began aggressively, creating a string of first-half chances through Issam Al-Sabhi, Zahir Al-Aghbari and Jameel Al-Yahmadi, only to be denied by profligacy and Comoros goalkeeper Ali Ahamada.
The breakthrough arrived in calamitous fashion just before the interval as Ahamada was dispossessed by Al-Sabhi inside the 6-yard box, allowing the forward to shoot into an empty net.
Al-Sabhi then doubled Oman’s lead with a header just before the break.
Comoros rallied after the break through a fine individual effort from Nassuir Hamidou to reduce the deficit, but further chances went begging and Oman held on for victory.
Despite finishing with four points, Oman bowed out of the competition, while Comoros concluded their debut Arab Cup campaign with three straight defeats.
