Bangladesh Spin Coach Mushtaq Ahmed Reflects on ODI Series Defeat to Sri Lanka

Bangladesh spin-bowling coach Mushtaq Ahmed has offered a frank assessment following the team's ODI series loss in Sri Lanka. While crediting the hosts for their aggressive and positive cricket, he didn’t shy away from pointing out Bangladesh’s batting shortcomings.

“First, credit must go to the Sri Lankan team. They played very positive, aggressive cricket,” Mushtaq said. But he also lamented his own team’s failures to build on starts. “We had good starts—that's where you finish the game, but we couldn’t do that.”

Sri Lanka’s Kusal Mendis, who scored a match-winning 73 off 51 balls, was singled out as an example. Mushtaq noted that Bangladesh needed someone to play a similar anchor role. “Our in-form batters are getting out after 30–40 runs. Someone has to take responsibility like Mendis did.”

Mushtaq acknowledged that injuries also forced changes in the batting order, mentioning Zakir Ali’s absence. He praised young openers Tanzid Hasan Tamim and Parvez Hossain Emon, calling them “exciting,” but added: “They need to learn quickly to convert 50 into 100.”

Naim Sheikh’s 32 off 29 balls at No. 4—despite being a regular opener—was also discussed. “He tried, showed intent, but batting at four was tough for him,” Mushtaq admitted.

He assessed Bangladesh’s 154-run total bluntly: “This pitch was a 170–175 par-score. We didn’t get there, though the boys showed intent.” He cited Shamim’s aggressive six off a reverse sweep as an example of the intent he wants to see.

Responding to criticism that Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Naim’s slow batting was a “crime,” Mushtaq dismissed the term as too harsh. “Cricket is cricket. ‘Crime’ is too big a word. They tried and wanted to hit every ball.”

Regarding the absence of Nasum Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman, Mushtaq explained it was about balance. “It was a combination call. We needed a batting option at No. 7. We considered everything in making that decision.”