Asia Cup T20: Bangladesh v UAE - 5 Talking Points

Bangladesh claimed their first win in the Asia Cup T20 2016 by 52 runs. While the hosts put up an all round performance, the inexperience of the UAE was there for all to see.

Batting first, Mohammad Mithun and Soumya Sarkar got the hosts off to a good start. However, some disciplined bowling from Mohammad Naveed and skipper Amjad Javed saw the Bangladeshis buckle under the pressure of some tight bowling from the UAE. Mahmudullah’s late onslaught on the UAE bowlers ensured that the hosts eventually crossed the ‘par’ score barrier. Playing their second match on the trot, the UAE batsmen had no fight left in them. They failed to replicate the performance against Sri Lanka as they were blown to bits by the Bangladesh bowlers. Mustafizur, Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah picked 2 wickets each as the Emiratis were blasted out for 82.

1. Sarkar and Mithun lay solid foundation:

Soumya Sarkar and Mohammad Mithun did what they failed to do in the match against India. Sarkar was clearly the aggressor between the two as he smashed a quickfire 27 off 14 balls. Mithun on the other hand also came to the fore as with 4 boundaries and 2 sixes. The duo stitched a partnership of 68 in quick time, a partnership that virtually won the match for the hosts.

2. Naveed and Amjad peg Bangladesh back:

Mohammad Naveed has been the surprise package in the ongoing Asia Cup. His ability to bowl almost at 140 kmph has given the Emirate bowling attack a formidable force. Naveed continued his good form as he picked up 2 wickets and conceded just 12 runs in his spell. He was also supported by skipper Amjad Javed. Naveed got the crucial wickets of skipper Mashrafe Mortaza and Mushfiqur Rahim, which put Bangladesh into further more pressure. Their consistency with the ball saw the UAE reduce the hosts to 133/8.

3. Mahmudullah’s quickfire knock:

Mahmudullah smashed an unbeaten 36 as he helped his side reach a competitive total of 133. The lower middle order batsman came in to bat at the fall of Mushfiqur Rahim at 83. A few boundaries from him towards the end saw the score cross 100 as wickets began to tumble once more. It was Mahmudullah’s late charge that gave Bangladesh the last push and momentum towards the end of their batting innings.

4. UAE inexperience showcased:

The UAE inexperience began to show when a disciplined bowling attack led by Taskin Ahmed began to tear through the UAE batting lineup. Apart from Rohan Mustafa, Muhammad Usman and Mohammad Shahzad, none of the UAE players crossed single digit runs. Swapnil Patil too had a rare failure with the bat as he was removed by the impressive Mustafizur Rahman for a first ball duck.

5. Bangladesh bowling revel:

The Bangladeshi attack has caught the eye of many for the most part of 2015. Taskin Ahmed and Al-Amin Hossain picked up a wicket apiece while Mustafizur, Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah picked a couple each. Bangladesh will be pleased with the performance of Mustafizur. The left-arm seamer was trashed all over the park in the previous match as he went wicket-less. The Bangladesh bowling attack will be expected to fire as matches against Sri Lanka and Pakistan loom over the horizon.