There was no particular team plan with the batting approach, says Shanto

|| CF DESK ||

Hosts Bangladesh's batting strategy is being questioned following a disastrous failure in the ongoing second Test against Pakistan, where they need additional 25 runs to escape a follow-on.

The rain-delayed match at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium saw some activity on day four on Tuesday, and Pakistan was in complete control at stumps.

The match resumed with Pakistan batting in their first innings, which ended with a score of 300 for four.

At stumps on Day 4, The hosts find themselves in a precarious yet familiar territory, on 76 for seven after 26 overs in their first innings.

Only two batters Shakib al Hasan and Nazmul Hossain Shanto have been able to score in double figure. Shakib batting at No 7 is unbeaten on 23 while Shanto scored 30.

Shanto, Bangladesh's top-order batsman, told the media at the end of the day that the squad had no preparations to bat aggressively, but that the batters took the initiative to counter Pakistan's bowlers.

 “We tried to be aggressive given that the wicket is not favorable to the batters. It was important to score runs as I think being defensive on this wicket creates possibility of getting out. For this I think the betters tried to play shots they are strong in. Unfortunately, we failed in execution. There was no particular team plan with the batting, everyone tried to bat their natural way,” Shanto explained.

“Speaking of the execution – you will not be successful every day. It did not happen today but may happen in the next day or another game. But it is not that we are not capable of doing this. We simply had a bad day,” the left-handed batsman added.

With a possible defeat looming, Shanto highlighted that Bangladesh can revive in the game through good execution with the bat if they get to come out again in the second innings.

“I think the start (Wednesday) is very important. If Shakib bhai and Taijul (Islam) bhai get a partnership going we will be in a better situation. And it is also important that if we have to bat again in the game, we will have to come better with execution,” said Shanto.