We’re not learning from defeats: Bangladesh ODI skipper Mehidy Hasan

Bangladesh ODI captain Mehidy Hasan feels that his troops are not learning from their mistakes, which is costing them dearly in the 50-over format. Afghanistan blanked Bangladesh in the three-match ODI series, with the visitors’ batting unit putting up a horror show.

“We are not learning from each defeat,” said the skipper. “We are not improving as required. We definitely lack in certain area but we have to move ahead with these players,” he said. “We don’t have a lot of players outside [the team]. We are not as bad a team as these results show, but we just have to improve, and rectify our mistakes,” he added.

Bangladesh failed to last 30 overs in their last two games against Afghanistan, getting rolled over for 93 runs in 27.1 overs in the series-concluding match after managing only 109 in 28.3 overs in the second game.

Mehidy feels their immediate priority now is to bat through the innings. “We have to target playing 50 overs. We failed to do so in the last two matches and I think we have to accept that we have played poor cricket as a batting unit,” he remarked.

“A team suffers when the batters don’t take responsibility. Every batter has to take responsibility. We will keep struggling otherwise. We can’t win a game without runs on the board, regardless of conditions,” he added.

Shouldering the responsibility for the series loss, Mehidy added that the team needs to go back to the drawing board and rediscover their mojo as quickly as possible, hoping that some downtime with their families ahead of the West Indies series will give them some useful breathing space.

“The team is definitely feeling down after losing this series. We are hopeful that if we can spend time with our family in those two days that we have at home, we can play with a fresh mind.

“Every player has to take responsibility for not playing good cricket. I have to take the responsibility as a captain. I am hopeful that we can turn around from the next series itself,” opined Mehidy.

“As a captain, I want the batters to be mentally strong. I don’t expect an overnight improvement. The coaching staff is boosting the team mentally. I should be doing it too, as a captain.”

Bangladesh will take on West Indies in a three-match ODI series at home from October 8, with both teams set to arrive on October 15.

It was learnt that Litton Das, who missed the white-ball series against Afghanistan due to a side strain, is waiting for medical clearance after a scan on October 14. However, sources indicated that he might not be available for the ODI series.