BCB boss says Shanto's statement after Afghanistan match ‘unacceptable’

After Bangladesh's failure to chase down 116 in 12.1 overs for a semifinal berth and eventually to win the match against Afghanistan in the T20 World Cup 2024, captain Najmul Hossain Shanto said they decided not to force the issue after the early fall of three wickets.

On Monday, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Nazmul Hassan said Shanto's statement was "unacceptable".

Bangladesh's tactics baffled one and all when they did not show any intent to chase the target down quickly after the fall of early wickets. After the match, Shanto said they decided to play for the win batting normally after the early collapse.

Nazmul was frustrated with the captain's statement because he felt the players tried to chase down the target inside 12.1 overs.

"It's unacceptable. I never felt that they were not going for it. They tried as long as Towhid Hridoy was there. Mahmudullah and Rishad Hossain were dismissed trying to hit sixes off Rashid Khan," he said.

"I am telling you from the beginning, I don't agree with Shanto's statement. We should have fought till the 12th over. When they needed to go hard, they batted defensively and vice versa."

Nazmul pointed out that it was a very tough surface to bat on.

"116 in 12.1 overs in T20s is not a big deal. But who had scored on that wicket? Australia lost to Afghanistan there. The conditions were not easy but the Bangladesh batters tried," he said.