Spin bowling coach Mushtaq Ahmed stresses the need for Bangladesh batters to refine their approach against spin, particularly after their recent defeat to Afghanistan in the second ODI, where they were dismissed for just 109 runs, conceding the series.
In the wake of Afghanistan`s decisive 81-run victory and series win in the second ODI, Bangladesh`s spin bowling coach, Mushtaq Ahmed, has pinpointed a crucial flaw in his team`s batting strategy. He believes the batters are excessively preoccupied with Rashid Khan`s formidable reputation, rather than concentrating on playing his deliveries on their individual merit. Rashid`s exceptional spell of 5 wickets for just 17 runs comprehensively dismantled Bangladesh`s middle order.
This stellar performance marked Rashid`s sixth five-wicket haul in One Day Internationals, a tally surpassed only by Shahid Afridi among leg-spinners in the format. His impactful intervention began in the 17th over, clean-bowling Towhid Hridoy, before he swiftly claimed four of the last five wickets in a devastating burst. Chasing Afghanistan`s total of 190, Bangladesh capitulated for a mere 109 runs.
Mushtaq, a former Pakistan leg-spinner now mentoring the Bangladesh team, acknowledged that Rashid`s consistent tight line and length are key to his success. However, he primarily attributed Bangladesh`s downfall to their batters` inability to “separate the ball from the bowler.” He stated post-match, “I think they are playing Rashid, not the ball. While he may not be a massive spinner of the ball, his experience, wicket-taking prowess, and unerring consistency in line and length are truly exceptional. We must learn to focus on the ball itself, not be overawed by the bowler. Rapid improvement is absolutely necessary.”
He further elaborated on the mental aspect: “If you possess strong temperament, you can perform against any bowler in international cricket. Rashid has been consistently successful for Afghanistan for many years, but as a Bangladeshi batting unit, we absolutely must understand how to play the ball, irrespective of who is bowling it.”
Mushtaq specifically highlighted the imperative for Bangladesh`s middle-order batters to adopt a more proactive and assertive stance against spin. The team`s struggles in the middle overs are stark, averaging a dismal 18.70 in this ODI series, significantly lagging behind Afghanistan`s 29.37 in the corresponding period. Although both teams maintained a run rate below four per over between overs 11 and 40, Bangladesh frequently collapsed under spin pressure, contrasting sharply with Afghanistan`s more patient and composed batting display.
“The fundamental reality is that we absolutely must rectify our batting issues,” Mushtaq affirmed. “Our players are talented and capable batters. However, against highly mature and experienced spinners like Rashid, especially in these conditions, we need to be far more proactive and decisive in our approach. I firmly believe that if we can effectively master playing spin in the middle overs under these circumstances, Bangladesh will be capable of challenging any team.”
Bangladesh`s batting performance in the middle overs this year has been particularly alarming, averaging just 21.86. This figure marks a significant decline from their average of 35.10 over the preceding two calendar years and represents their lowest middle-overs average since 2007.
Moreover, Bangladesh appears to be visibly struggling to transition from a T20I mindset to the demands of One Day Internationals. Mushtaq elaborated on the technical requirements: “Batters must cultivate superior technique against spinners in the middle overs, specifically learning how to secure singles even off good deliveries. The ability to consistently rotate the strike places immense pressure on the bowler, rather than on the batter. Conversely, accumulating too many dot balls inevitably forces batters into attempting risky big shots, which often leads to losing wickets.” He concluded, drawing from his own experience as a spinner, “I know that batters who effortlessly score singles and doubles are far more challenging to bowl against.”
While Bangladesh has recently enjoyed confidence-boosting success, winning four consecutive bilateral T20I series, this form has unfortunately not translated into ODIs, especially concerning their batting. “I believe there`s a distinct batting problem stemming from the transition from T20s to ODIs,” Mushtaq observed. He acknowledged that other team aspects are performing well: “Our fielding standards, fitness levels, and both spin and fast bowling departments are all functioning effectively. Our overall system is robust, and the team is generally playing good cricket. Therefore, addressing and resolving our batting challenges in the 50-over format is paramount for our continued success and overall development.”
