|| CF DESK ||

Bangladesh cricket team director Khaled Mahmud was disappointed over Mushfiqur Rahim’s shot selection in Bangladesh’s first innings on day three of the second Test against hosts South Africa in Port Elizabeth Sunday.

Mushfiqur was dismissed when he attempt to play a reverse sweep to get bowled out by Simon Harmer  which led to Bangladesh batters collapse and eventually, could muster 217 runs in their first innings.  

“That shot from Mushfiq was not expected at all. We were only four minutes away from the break and knew that another 43 runs would avoid the follow-on. Mushfiq is an experienced batter, we do not expect such shot from him considering the situation of the game. Mushfiq can explain better on this but it is unfortunate,” said Mahmud.

“He is an established batter and it was important for us to avoid follow-on at that point of time. Though South Africa did not impose the follow-on still it is about prestige to avoid follow-on. He knows his responsibility. You can accept such shots in ODI and T20 because those are game of runs. But why in Test? Particularly after you have scored a hard earned 50 and was batting well,” said the former Bangladesh captain now a Bangladesh Cricket Board director.

Bangladesh are now chasing a daunting target of 413 runs with just 27-3 runs on the board before the umpires called it a day.