IND vs BAN: Shanto looks for 'better plan' after Bangladesh's batting debacle

IND vs BAN: Najmul Hossain Shanto said that Bangladesh need to put up a better showing with the bat after losing the first T20I in Gwalior by seven wickets on Sunday.

In Short

• Najmul Shanto wasn’t happy with Bangladesh’s batting in Gwalior
• Bangladesh lost to India by 7 wickets on Sunday
• Bangladesh were bowled out for 127 in 19.5 overs

Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto said that Bangladesh need a ‘better plan’ in the batting department to make a comeback in their T20I series against Suryakumar Yadav’s India. On Sunday, October 6, The Tigers slumped to a seven-wicket win to go 1-0 down in the series. After being asked to bat first, the visitors were bowled out for an under-par score of 127 in 19.5 overs.

Barring Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who made 35, and Shanto, who scored 27, none of the Bangladeshi batters looked settled in the middle. After being reduced to 39 for two in the powerplay, Shanto’s men could never make a comeback. Shanto said that Bangladesh came out with intent and wanted to play positive cricket, but also rued losing wickets at regular intervals.

"We didn't start well. In T20s, the first six overs are very important but we didn't start well. The plan was to play positive cricket and play with intent from the first ball but we had to manage some overs. We need a better plan for the next matches. If we had some wickets in hand, we could have scored 10-15 runs more,” Shanto said in the post-match presentation.

‘Very hard for the bowlers’

Defending 127, Bangladesh bowlers found themselves under pressure as India chased down the target with 49 balls to spare. Mustafizur Rahman and Miraz accounted for a scalp apiece. Shanto credited young leg-spinner Rishad Hossain and Mustafizur for bowling their hearts out.

“Bowling-wise, we didn't have enough runs on the board. Very hard for the bowlers on a pitch like this. We needed more runs. But I think Rishad bowled well and Fizz as well,” Shanto added.

The second T20I is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, October 9 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.