Tamim slams sloppy fielding for series defeat against New Zealand

Bangladesh on Tuesday suffered a second successive defeat under Tamim Iqbal when the side conceded the three-match ODI series to hosts New Zealand following a five-wicket loss in the second ODI in Hagley Oval, Christchurch.

Talking about the outcome of Tuesday’s match, Tamim blamed poor fielding for the defeat.

“We should’ve won this game. Bowler created chances, but we couldn’t hold on. The dropped catches, you know. When situation comes, you have to do things 100%. Disappointed today.”

After a disappointing batting show in their first ODI, Bangladesh batsmen found their touch back in the second ODI with Tamim top scoring 78 runs. Mithun also delivered a late onslaught as Bangladesh reached a competitive 276 for six in 50 overs after put into bat first. But their effort went in vain with Bangladesh fielders put down several catches.

New Zealand skipper Tom Latham proved that chance favours the courageous as he made excellent use of the two lives that he got during his innings. He clobbered 10 fours in his match-winning 108-ball 110-run innings.

Latham was dropped by Mehidy Miraz and Mohammad Mithun before Mushfiq put down James Neesham’s catch behind the stumps off pacer Taskin. Latham shared a game-changing 76 runs with Neesham for the fifth wicket.

Tamim’s lauded their batting effort but Tigers’ captain was totally frustrated with the fielding.

“Batters did really well. It was a different surface, a bit slow, 271 was a decent score. And when the chances came, we couldn’t hold on. Quite disappointing. Mithun was fantastic, Mushi was well. Anyway, I thought it was a much-improved game. We are not here to improve our cricket but to win.

“See people will drop catches. It hurts. If we took our two chances, it was game on. People don’t miss catches willingly; it happens to everyone. When the next chance comes, we need to grab with both hands. We just have to be positive in Wellington and give a crack to them again.” Tamim said.