News
Bangladesh head into their final group match knowing even victory may not be enough. The damaging eight-wicket defeat by Sri Lanka left their net run-rate limping and means Afghanistan’s later meeting with Sri Lanka could still settle the pool. Yet spin consultant Mushtaq Ahmed keeps returning to one theme.
“You have to believe. The coaches and management keep telling the players that belief is very important,” he told reporters on the eve of the Afghanistan clash. “It’s difficult, of course, having to rely on ifs and buts, but you have to concentrate on winning the match first.”
Facts first
• Bangladesh must beat Afghanistan to have any chance of qualifying.
• Their net run-rate took a hit when Sri Lanka chased 164 with 32 balls unused.
• A stuttering pursuit of 144 against Hong Kong in 17.4 overs left little margin for error.
Mushtaq accepts the scenario is awkward, yet he sees opportunity rather than burden. His immediate concern is Rashid Khan’s spin brigade. “Their spin department is very good, especially in the middle overs,” he said. “If we can counter their spin well and put a decent score on the board, we can challenge them because our bowling unit is also strong. My main concern is the middle overs.”
That middle phase has already caused Bangladesh problems. Against Sri Lanka they collapsed to 59 for 5 before Jaker Ali and Shamim Hossain stitched an unbroken 80 to limp to 139. It was spirited, but it left the bowlers with too little.
“Sometimes, early failures lead to losing four or five wickets quickly,” Mushtaq noted. “We tell our batsmen that such things happen, but they must move on fast. If they dwell on the past, their progress will be slow. As coaches, our duty is to prevent them from going into a shell, maintain their confidence, and keep giving them belief.”
Players, he says, are encouraged to keep playing their shots, even if that courts early trouble. The coaching staff have pressed hard on six-hitting drills and quicker starts. It is a work in progress but Mushtaq argues the only way forward is through persistence.
“As I’ve said in press conferences, I emphasise on belief. I played with legends like Imran Khan, Javed Miandad, and Wasim Akram. One lesson I learned from them is that if you don’t believe you belong at the international level, you start over-respecting the opposition and forget your strengths. Even failure while playing aggressively makes you a stronger player.”
The blend of youth and experience remains key. Litton Das and Towhid Hridoy are expected to set the tempo at the top, while seamers Taskin Ahmed and Shoriful Islam should enjoy the extra bounce Abu Dhabi often offers. Wrist-spinner Rishad Hossain, though raw, is rated highly by the back-room team and is likely to keep his place.
“If coaches and management can instill that belief, the team can challenge any side. Players like Litton, Hridoy, Tanzim, Jaker and Shamim have shown that even when situations look tough, they can find momentum and score 170-180,” Mushtaq added. “With good fast bowlers and spinners, and if we get stronger as a team, we can challenge any team.”
Analysis
Bangladesh’s batting has tended to oscillate – brisk in bursts, becalmed for stretches. On slower surfaces that inconsistency is amplified. Afghanistan, armed with Rashid, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Noor Ahmad, will aim to clamp down in the same 7-15 over window that troubles Bangladesh most.
The Tigers’ counter is simple enough in theory: risk a little more powerplay aggression, keep wickets in hand, then attack Afghanistan’s fifth bowler. Execution, of course, is another matter.
Whatever happens, Mushtaq’s message will not change. The margins may be fine, the equations messy, but belief, he insists, is non-negotiable.
