BAN v WI 2018: Won't blame the toss for Bangladesh's heavy defeat in Sylhet, says McKenzie

Second T20I will be played on Thursday (December 20) in Dhaka.

Poor batting costs Sylhet T20I to Bangladesh | Getty Images

Neil McKenzie, Bangladesh's limited-overs batting consultant, felt unfair to blame the toss for their poor batting performance in the first T20 International of the three-match series against the West Indies.

On Monday (December 17), Bangladesh batsmen badly struggled to bat in Sylhet and McKenzie blamed their failure to adapt their game to the pace of the new-ball pair Oshane Thomas and Sheldon Cottrell for their 8-wicket loss in the series opener at home.

The hosts won the toss and chose to bat first but they failed to post the good total on the board, managed only 129 in 19 over with only Shakib Al Hasan (61) managed to cross 20 run mark in Sylhet.

In reply, West Indies crossed the line in just 10.5 overs thanks to Shai Hope’s brilliant half-century and well contribution from Nicolas Pooran (23* off 17 balls) and (28* off 14 balls) against Bangladesh.

McKenzie told reporters after Sylhet loss, “I don't think we learned quickly enough. There was extra pace with Cottrell and Thomas opening the innings. We knew they were going to hit the deck hard. Shakib showed that we could have used the pace a little bit more. I think we just tried to be too aggressive, trying to hit the ball in front of the square when we could have used the pace.”

The coach signed off by saying, “I have no issues with the toss. They know the home conditions really well. The other day in the third ODI, I thought this wicket was dry and looked like it would turn. All the senior guys said just relax. It will dew up, skid on and that's exactly what it did. I back the captain and coach for the toss. I won't blame the toss for our performance today.”

(With Cricbuzz Inputs)

 
 

By Rashmi Nanda - 18 Dec, 2018

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