Skipper Mortaza blames Tamim, Mushfiqur for loss against India

BIRMINGHAM: Mashrafe Mortaza admitted that Bangladesh are still not ready for the big days in international cricket. “We may have the physical ability and skills, but we are still not mentally prepared to clinch big moments,” said the veteran speedster in a post-match chat at Edgbaston on Thursday.

India hammered Bangladesh by nine wickets to cruise into the Champions Trophy final leaving the Tigers much to think about their ability to grab their opportunities on a big stage.

Mortaza, whose future as ODI captain will be under the scanner, said Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim’s wickets undid Bangladesh’s good start.

Tamim and Mushfiqur produced a solid 123-run third wicket partnership but both batsmen gifted their wickets at a time when occupation at the crease was a must. “The way we started, Bangladesh should have scored 330-340, but the wickets of Tamim, Mushfiqur and Shakib (al Hasan) hurt us. We need junior players to step up on big days and that’s where our challenge lies,” he said.

Saying Bangladesh’s progress to the semifinals was “totally unexpected,” Mortaza said Bangladesh will be a much improved side in the 2019 World Cup. “We have the players and the skills. The junior boys will have more experience in two years time and we will be mentally stronger. The selectors need not chop and change,” said Mortaza. Bangladesh fans will be disappointed, said Mortaza but “we need to look forward. There are tours coming up and we should be able to get over this defeat quickly.”

MORTAZA, WHOSE FUTURE AS ODI CAPTAIN WILL BE UNDER THE SCANNER, SAID TAMIM IQBAL AND MUSHFIQUR RAHIM’S WICKETS UNDID TEAM’S GOOD START.