It was a day ripe for seizing the moment, potentially the most monumental in Bangladesh's recent annals. Following their stout performance with the ball against Afghanistan in St. Vincent, the narrative and match situation beckoned an unreserved assault in pursuit of 115. The task was straightforward: amass those runs within 12.1 overs to secure a berth in the T20 World Cup semi-finals or perish in the attempt. Yet, a surprisingly defeatist outlook snatched the game from their clutches.
What presented itself as an exhilarating challenge and chance will now scar Bangladesh's cricketing chronicles, for within the framework of Group One of the Super Eights and the match itself, the true gamble was the courage to vie for a semi-final spot; victory alone was secondary, akin to a dead rubber final showing in the flagship tournament.
But what more could be anticipated when head coach Chandika Hathurusingha suggested that any gains from the Super Eights would be a "bonus", or when Shakib Al Hasan prematurely surmised that their chances for the last-four were dashed following the loss to India?
As it came down to a do-or-die scenario for the Tigers at Arnos Vale, Mahmudullah Riyad's five consecutive dots with 43 needed off 19 balls laid bare the batting cadre's confidence, or lack thereof, reflecting Bangladesh's strategic approach to the chase. Had the Bangladesh brain trust misjudged the nature of the contest they were to engage in?
Prior to the clash with Afghanistan, Bangladesh was cognizant that a 62-run victory was imperative should they bat first. Hence, they should have been primed to chase any target roughly within 11 to 13 overs. Yet, captain Najmul Hossain Shanto's remarks suggested a focus on victory as the primary objective, as if the pressing equation was a trifling concern.
Crucially, in a match demanding a reshuffled batting order to achieve the chase in 12.1 overs, Bangladesh reverted to convention.
"Firstly, our aim was to clinch the match. That was the initial strategy. Upon witnessing 115 on the scoreboard after the first innings, we devised a plan to triumph within 12.1 overs," Shanto conveyed at the preceding day's press briefing.
He elucidated the batting unit's tactic more explicitly during the post-match ceremonies. "The standard plan was to attack with the first three wickets, particularly in the opening six overs, and to revert to normalcy should we lose early wickets," Shanto declared.
Conversely, Afghanistan played with remarkable fervour, while Bangladesh were undone by their own dismal strategizing. If the intent was to launch an offensive during the Powerplay, Bangladesh did quite the reverse by eschewing risks and delaying the introduction of hitters like Tawhid Hridoy or Soumya Sarkar, who are primed to exploit field placements.
Instead, Shanto and Shakib Al Hasan, who have been notably out of sorts this tournament, were dismissed in successive deliveries, leaving the score at a paltry 23 for 3 after 2.5 overs. With their tactics, Bangladesh seemed adrift, directionless.
The Powerplay yielded 46 for three, and thereafter, Liton Das endeavoured for a spell, with Hridoy being the sole other batsman appearing intent on altering the course within the 12.1 overs. Following his departure, the critical 10th over saw veteran Mahmudullah accrue a mere four runs off Noor Ahmed – a stark emblem of Bangladesh's defeatist psyche – and from there, the plot was lost. Liton, at one juncture, adhered to the standard to at least secure a win, but Afghanistan capitalised on the momentum Bangladesh squandered by not amassing more during the Powerplay.
There was no subsequent tournament qualification on the line, unlike Bangladesh's final fixture in the 2023 ODI World Cup against Sri Lanka. Victory alone was inconsequential. Shanto acknowledged that "the entire batting line-up made egregious errors", yet the missteps originated from the upper echelons, with team management, Hathurusingha and company.
