'Others don't miss the chances we miss' - Shakib Al Hasan gutted over Bangladesh's fielding lapses in closely-fought Mirpur Test

Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan has expressed disappointment at his team’s fielding lapses in the series-deciding second Test against India in Mirpur. Shakib said that making a mess of easy catching chances cost the hosts a chance to level the series.

At the same time, the veteran all-rounder said that the reason behind the Bangladesh players’ inability to field well in Test cricket is lack of concentration or fitness. He added that his team’s fielding standards have been impressive in white-ball cricket, which was seen during the T20 World Cup 2022 and the recent ODI series against India.

Those missed catches made the difference: Shakib Al Hasan

"It is slightly disappointing (missing catches). Other teams don't miss the chances that we are missing. They made the difference. We could have bowled them out for 250 instead of 314 (in the first innings). There was a chance in the second innings, but it is part of cricket," Shakib told reporters after the end of the Test series.

"We fielded well in the T20 World Cup. We fielded well in the ODI series, but we couldn't do it in the Test match. Maybe due to lack of concentration or fitness," he said. "We have to find out how to better concentrate for longer, and avoid making mistakes. Other teams don't give so many opportunities. We miss regulation stuff. Our bowlers have to create 13-14 chances to take 10 wickets. Other teams have to create nine chances to take 10 wickets."

The Bangladesh players missed three catches and a stumping chance in the contest. However, the biggest miss happened to be of Ravichandran Ashwin when he was given a reprieve on one as Mominul Haque dropped an easy catch when the latter was deceived by a sharp turning delivery from Mehidy Hasan Miraz. Ashwin made the opposition pay as he scored a match-winning 42 and added 71 runs for the eighth wicket along with Shreyas Iyer (29*).