Bangladesh fast bowler Taskin Ahmed described the team’s collapse in the first ODI against Sri Lanka as both “painful and unexpected” after conceding a 77-run defeat as spin duo Wanindu Hasaranga and Kamindu Mendis combined for seven wickets in the match.
Bangladesh speedster Taskin Ahmed has showcased his frustration at the collapse suffered by the Bangladesh team against Sri Lanka during the first ODI at Colombo. Bangladesh suffered a huge setback, losing the first ODI by a margin of 77 runs, as the pacer called this loss both “painful and unexpected.” Chasing a modest target of just 245 runs at the Premadasa Stadium, Bangladesh suffered a setback, losing 7 wickets in no time.
Taskin Ahmed and Tanzim Hasan Sakib restricted Sri Lanka below 250
The toss was won by Sri Lankan skipper Charith Asalanka, who opted to bat first on their home ground. Pathum Nissanka, the centurion from the Test series, was dismissed for a duck.While Taskin Ahmed, the lanky pacer, soon found himself among wickets as he dismissed the likes of opener Nishan Madushka and Kamindu Mendis. Mendis has been a standout batter for the test side, and his wicket was a big breakthrough for the visiting side.
However, despite the three early wickets in the powerplay, Sri Lanka were back in the game with Kusal Mendis and skipper Charith Asalanka building onto a firm partnership for the fourth wicket. Asalanka scored a huge hundred. The batter has often played such crucial roles ever since his appointment as the Sri Lankan captain.
With valuable contributions down the order, Sri Lanka could only score 244 runs as they were bowled out, with Taskin Ahmed being the pick of the bowlers with 4 wickets.Next, Tanzim Hasan Shakib also picked 3 wickets, which also included the vital wicket of centurion Charith Asalanka.
Bangladesh suffered a horrible collapse after a decent start
Bangladesh was the team that was in the driving seat, but the 18th over of the game marked Wanindu Hasaranga’s first over with the ball. After a fine start, Tanzid Hasan and Najmul Hossain Shanto put on a 71-run partnership for the second wicket, until Milan Rathnayake’s throw from deep square leg found Shanto short of his crease.
This dismissal for 23 runs of the former Bangladesh skipper marked the beginning of the collapse for the Bangladesh side. Litton Das, who was backed for ODIs, fell LBW in the very next delivery of Hasaranga. The set opener, in an attempt to thump Hasaranga over mid-off, was dismissed in the same over as Liyanage pulled out an absolute stunner from thin air. Kamindu Mendis then bamboozled Towhid Hridoy with probably the best delivery of the collapse.
Within 5 runs, Bangladesh were 8 wickets down for 105 after having made a start of 100-1 in the 17 overs. Taskin Ahmed was the last wicket of this remarkable collapse, while Bangladesh’s innings ended with 167 all out.This is a record collapse as only the USA has had a disastrous collapse like this, when 7 wickets were lost for just 8 runs playing against Nepal in 2020.It was the worst such meltdown in men’s ODI history and even their pace spearhead Taskin Ahmed couldn’t believe his eyes.
Taskin Ahmed launches strong criticism on his own Bangladeh team epic downfall
Chasing what seemed like a chaseable target of 245 against Sri Lanka in the first ODI at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Bangladesh looked to be in cruise control at 100 for 1. But what followed was nothing short of a horror show: a dramatic collapse that saw them tumble to 107 for 8, losing seven wickets for just five runs.Najmul Hossain Shanto’s run-out in the 17th over and the two-wicket 18th over, Taskin said, turned the match in Sri Lanka’s favour
After the match, Taskin didn’t mince his words. The speedster, who has seen a fair share of heartbreaks on the field, admitted this one cut deep.
“Seven wickets in five runs – it was unexpected. We tried, but it didn’t happen. Yeah, it wasn’t a great feeling,” he said as quoted by Cricbuzz
Taskin Ahmed was honest about the emotions in the dressing room and how the game slipped away in the blink of an eye.
“It reminds me that in cricket, there is uncertainty. I wasn’t expecting that. I was chilling in the dressing room with a coffee, and suddenly, five wickets down.” he said
According to Taskin, the real damage was done in that one over by Wanindu Hasaranga. Najmul Hossain Shanto got run out, followed by Tanzid Hasan Tamim’s dismissal and from there, things unravelled like a house of cards.
“Those two wickets in one over were the turning point,” Taskin Ahmed noted.
“The way we started today, I was expecting we would win with 5-6 overs in hand, but unfortunately, that collapse was a big loss. It hurts because I am also a player.”
Despite the collapse, Taskin Ahmed didn’t think the pitch was anything out of the ordinary. Instead, he pointed fingers at poor shot selection and a lack of composure.
“Jaker batted really well at the end. If we had two or three batters left, we could have won. It doesn’t feel like the wicket was that bad. That was our failure.”
Bangladesh were bowled out for 167 after being 100 for 1 and for a side that had one hand on the win, it was a case of throwing it all away. Taskin also opened up about the mental side of things. He felt the team got a bit too comfortable, thinking the job was done and paid the price for it.
“After that great start, we were a bit relaxed. Everything was going our way, and suddenly, that run-out and Tamim got out. Then we panicked a bit. We didn’t play our natural game.”
While Bangladesh have often leaned on the “transition period” excuse, Taskin Ahmed feels it’s time to move on.
“We have been saying this transition period thing a lot. Maybe we are taking a bit longer, but we have to come out of it. There is no other option.”
Bangladesh will now have to bounce back quickly with two more games to play in the series. The wounds are still fresh, but as Taskin said they are working hard and it is time to put those lessons into action.The second ODI of the three-game series will be played at the same venue on Saturday.
Also Read: SL vs BAN: Prabath Jayasuriya’s 12th Five-Wicket Haul Seals An Emphatic Win For Sri Lanka