Imrul: Mushfiqur should bat up instead of Hridoy
Mushfiqur Rahim
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Bangladesh batter Imrul Kayes reckoned Mushfiqur Rahim should have batted up in the batting order against India.
Bangladesh were without their regular captain Shakib al Hasan due to injury concerns as they suffered a crushing seven-wicket defeat against India.
According to Imrul, it was expected to see the experienced duo Mushfiqur and Mahmudullah Riyad play up in the order in the absence of Shakib but they were dropped to number 6 and 7.
However, he scored a crucial 38 off 46 balls while Mahmudullah scored 46 runs which propelled Bangladesh's innings to exceed 250.
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“I personally feel Mushfiqur should have come to bat early. I don’t want to belittle anyone but if you notice Hridoy has been struggling for the last 2-3 matches. He is not in that flow. If a player is not in his rhythm there is no reason to force him in that position,” said Imrul to Cricfrenzy.
“When I’m shifting the batting order every day, then why not switch Mushfiqur’s position up for the betterment of the team? Hridoy was already under pressure and we pressurised him more. His strike rate should be at least 80 at that time when he is coming down to bat. Mushfiq came to bat at number 6 and he was able to maintain 80/90 strike rate, it is a loss for our team,” he said.
Pakistan's former captains Wasim Akram and Misbah ul Haque also criticized Bangladesh for playing the two experienced batsmen Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah Riyad at number 6-7.
“Shakib bowls 10 overs and fulfills the needs of a specialist batsman in the top order. Someone, please explain one thing to me, why you are playing one of your most experienced batsmen Mahmudullah at number 7-8 when your middle order is struggling. His technique is good, he has experience and you left him as a finisher where the middle order is failing,” said Akram in 'A Sports' post-match event.
Misbah believes Bangladesh lost control of the match because Mushfiqur-Mahmudullah came to bat down the order.
“Mushfiqur came to bat at number 6. He is in good form. By the time he came to the crease the momentum was over. Because Shakib is not there. partnerships were required. If these two played up they could have control over the game,” he added.
