Bangladesh captain Mashrafe laments missing opportunity to beat South Africa

Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe bin Mortaza has regretted his side’s defeat in the series opener against South Africa, saying the match could have been close if they were more focussed.

Powered by a splendid unbeaten knock from captain Faf du Plessis, South Africa scored 148 for four.
 
In reply, the Tigers were skittled out for a meagre 96 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Sunday.
 
The chase, however, was on track with the hosts on 50 for 2 at one stage with Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim going well.
 
Mashrafe thinks they had the game under control at that point.
 
"We failed to utilise the chance. It would have been close if we were a bit more focused. I hope we will try harder if the next match reaches such state," Mashrafe said in a press conference after the match.
 
Mushfiqur’s departure started the slide as Sabbir Rahman and Nasir Hossain failed to stay with Shakib who walked back himself under the weight of the climbing required rate.
 
Only three of their batsmen reached two-digit scores as the hosts lost their last eight wickets for 48 runs and folded up for their lowest total at home.
 
Mashrafe asked his teammates to play according to the situation in the next match.
 
“When Sabbir went to the crease, we needed around seven-eight runs per over and nearly nine when Nasir went in. So they wanted to score off bad balls. But they tried to play too many shots.
 
“As we have been successful playing aggressively, it is natural to not want to change the style of play. But playing according to situation, too, is necessary.
 
“I hope the batsmen will be a bit thoughtful in such situation in future.”
 
Mashrafe thinks Bangladesh lacked partnerships needed to chase down the target on the slow and low track.
 
"They scored around 10 runs more (than expected). But it could’ve been chased down by building partnerships."
 
Shakib and Mushfiqur’s 36 for the third wicket was the Tigers’ highest stand.
 
South African batsmen handled spin better than their counterparts and that was crucial, according to Mashrafe.
 
Bangladesh had started the game well as Arafat Sunny and Nasir Hossain struck early to take out their openers that included scalp of the dangerous AB de Villiers in the first over.
 
"Sunny has opened bowling many times before so I planned to start with him.
 
"Maybe they presumed that Sohag (Gazi) will come from the other end, so I brought Nasir in. And that gave us some success.”
 
The 31-year old also thinks Man-of-the-Match du Plessis’ 61-ball 79 was the difference between the two teams.
 
"Du Plessis batted till the end and that made the difference. I think he adopted to this kind of wicket playing for Chennai (Super Kings).
 
“So he handled spin very well. If we could have taken him out, they would have scored 10-15 runs less.”