Follow UsBangladesh have played seven games in the 2023 World Cup but still don’t have a fixed batting order. For example, Mehidy Hasan Miraz has batted at five different positions in this event. Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah, who have been used lower down the order, were asked to bat at No. 4 and 5 respectively against Pakistan on Tuesday (October 31).
Bangladesh’s batting has looked completely out of place and after their seven-wicket defeat against Pakistan in Kolkata, Shakib Al Hasan and Co. are officially out of the competition. Bangladesh, who have crossed the 250-run mark only once in the tournament, were bowled out for just 204 against Pakistan.
"Look, I always want to bat in the middle order. I am playing in different positions due to team combination and certainly it becomes difficult for me because you have to see for the last seven years I have played as a lower middle-order batter and I know how to play in that position," said Mehidy after Bangladesh’s sixth straight defeat.
“But I think rather than thinking about it if we want to prove as a batter I have to perform wherever I am given a chance and at that point team will have an expectation that I can perform wherever I bat.
"The thing that you said where I will bat in the next game is totally dependent on the team combination and, before the game, the decision is taken by team management who will bat where in the batting order and this is done for the sake of the team. Whoever can play, chances are given to him. It is just that we are not clicking and we don't want to blame anyone like one or two guys played badly because we all played badly and we are accepting it.
"We lost wickets quickly. Riyad bhai batted up in the order because he is playing and is currently in a good shape and has the confidence. Considering all these things Riyad bhai and Mushfiq bhai were promoted up in the order because they have the experience of playing in that position in lot of games. Liton da and Riyad bhai got a good partnership but if it was a bit more it would have helped.”
Bangladesh now have only two points after seven encounters and are sitting at No. 9 on the points table. As a result, there’s a high possibility that they couldn’t even qualify for the 2025 Champions Trophy. It’s being reported that the top seven teams at the end of the league stage of the ODI World Cup and hosts Pakistan will compete in the Champions Trophy.
"If we cannot play Champions Trophy naturally it will hurt us. I think luck is not favoring us. The batters are playing shots and it is going straight into the hand of the fielders as catches and they are grabbing it and there is something going wrong with the bowling as well," he said.
"This hasn't been the case before because we are playing one-day for last three years but somehow luck is not favouring us. Naturally after losing we will be disappointed but this is cricket and there will be wins and losses in matches and we must accept it."