On a day when Bangladeshi bowlers were taken to task by the Sri Lankan batmen to the tune of 730-6 declared – the highest team total against the Tigers in Tests – off-spinner Sohag Gazi argued that the attack actually performed decently on Wednesday. His assessment after Bangladesh’s disappointing performance stunned those at the press briefing who saw the hosts surrender meekly against batting prowess of Mahela Jayawardene at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadum.
Resuming in the morning on 375-5, the Sri Lankans took the control of the game with firm hands and Mahela scored a brilliant unbeaten double century (203 not out) to make the Bangladesh bowling attack look quite ordinary.
A day that already belonged to the Lankans moved further in their favour as aggressive Bangladeshi opener Tamim Iqbal was removed after failing to stay cool in the day’s nine remaining overs after the visitors declared. Tamim gifted away his wicket and forced the Tigers to end the day on 35-1, trailing by 463 runs.
‘I don’t know about the Bangladesh team of the past, but cricket is like that and we will try to play well in the next two days,’ Sohag said after stumps.
‘Tamim Bhai has played long innings in Tests and is a proven player; probably he’ll play better in the next match,’ he said in defence of the new vice-captain, adding, ‘It was a mistake, and man is mortal.’
But it did not take long for Sohag to offer a stunning opinion when he was asked where Bangladesh had failed in the bowling department.
‘It’s not a fact that we bowled badly,’ said a tired-looking Sohag.
‘In fact, we bowled well, but obviously they batted better so they are in this position.’
Sohag began his Test journey at Mirpur against the touring West Indies in November 2012 and along the way became a key component of the Tigers’
attack. He made a name for himself with a world record performance against New Zealand in October, but he has been just a shadow of that bowler in this match, taking just 2-130.
Instead of going after the Lankans with some added urgency by mixing up his deliveries with flight and turn, the Barisal off-spinner, along with the other bowlers, took a defensive route – a plan he said they were asked to follow.
As a consequence, the Sri Lankan batsmen felt no compulsion to play the sorts of shots that would have been more likely to lead to wickets.
Sohag said that coach Shane Jurgensen asked them to restrict the flow of runs by bowling dot balls in partnership, believing that approach would put pressure on the visitors.
‘If you can bowl in partnership against any batsman and stop the flow of runs by bowling four to five maiden overs, they are bound to feel the pressure,’ said Sohag, ‘Usually batsmen come to score freely. So to pick wickets we planned to bowl dot balls.’
-With New Age input
