Razzak dismisses Bangladesh's batting collapse against India as an accident

Bangladesh's Champions Trophy campaign started on a sour note with a six-wicket defeat to India, highlighted by a dramatic batting collapse that saw the Tigers lose five wickets for just 35 runs.

While Towhid Hridoy and Jaker Ali's partnership prevented a complete disaster, it wasn't enough to save the match.

However, Bangladesh selector Abdur Razzak downplayed the collapse, calling it an "accident" during a media interaction in Islamabad. He expressed confidence that the team's top order would recover quickly.

"One match is done, and five wickets fell quickly. There's no point dragging it further. It was an accident. Our team isn't prone to such collapses—it happened unexpectedly. Our top order isn't in that state. It was just a bad day, and I'm confident it won't happen in the next match," Razzak told reporters.

Mushfiqur Rahim's golden duck against India added to concerns about his form. In his last 14 ODIs for Bangladesh, he has managed only one half-century. Yet, Razzak brushed aside any worries.

"Why should it be a concern? He had one bad match. It can happen to anyone—Hridoy, Shanto, Jaker Ali, anyone. I don't think it's something to worry about," he said.

There is also uncertainty surrounding Mahmudullah Riyad's fitness. Razzak explained, "It depends on the physio's report. He practised today (22 February), though he missed the last three days. He completed most of the session, but the final update will come from the physios later today."

Bangladesh now faces a must-win encounter against New Zealand in Rawalpindi on 24 February. The Black Caps are in formidable form, having beaten Pakistan and recently clinched a tri-series title in the same conditions.

Razzak, however, remains optimistic about Bangladesh's chances. "We're not in a bad place, even though we lost the first match. Of course, there's some disappointment, but the players will move past it. New Zealand is playing well, but this is a different tournament. I don't want to compare it with the tri-series," he added.

With India already securing a win, Bangladesh must beat New Zealand to stay in contention for the semi-finals. A loss would result in elimination without the need for net run-rate calculations.