February 25, 2025: Bangladesh's campaign in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 ended in disappointment as they were knocked out after another lackluster batting performance. Their inability to set competitive totals, scoring 228 and 236 in their two matches, exposed long-standing issues within the team, particularly with the experienced players failing to step up on the big stage.
Former India batter Wasim Jaffer was particularly critical of veteran batsmen Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur Rahim for their reckless shot selections in their five-wicket loss to New Zealand. Both players were dismissed for rash strokes, leaving Bangladesh reeling at five wickets down by the 27th over. New Zealand easily chased down the target.
Jaffer highlighted that only Shakib Al Hasan had delivered consistently in recent ICC tournaments, referencing his standout performances in the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup. He questioned whether the pressure of major tournaments or self-imposed expectations were affecting the veterans' performances.
Mahmudullah, who had been instrumental in Bangladesh’s past ICC campaigns, including back-to-back centuries in the 2015 World Cup and a crucial ton in the 2017 Champions Trophy, missed the first game due to injury. Upon his return, he squandered his opportunity. Jaffer criticized both Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur for their poor shot choices in a must-win match, urging the players to step up in such high-stakes situations.
Jaffer also pointed out that Bangladesh fell short by 50 to 60 runs on a Rawalpindi pitch that offered little assistance to bowlers. He expressed disappointment that they couldn’t reach a total over 300, which would have been a challenging target for New Zealand.
Meanwhile, former New Zealand seamer Shane Bond praised Bangladesh's bowling attack but reiterated their struggles with the bat. He pointed out several fielding errors, including two dropped catches by Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Mahmudullah, which allowed Rachin Ravindra to capitalize and help New Zealand secure the win. Bond emphasized the importance of taking crucial chances, noting that missed opportunities could be the difference between victory and defeat.
Bond expressed confidence in Bangladesh’s bowling unit, mentioning their pace and spinners as assets. He acknowledged the potential in the attack but also agreed that batting had been their downfall. Bond, with his extensive experience in coaching, reflected on how a coach would feel after such a performance, saying that it’s difficult to judge a team from the outside, but the lack of execution from the players was frustrating.
Despite their exit from the 2025 Champions Trophy, there is optimism about Bangladesh’s potential with their bowling attack. However, the team’s batting struggles and fielding errors must be addressed if they are to improve in future global tournaments.
Last Updated on February 25, 2025 by Disha Rojhe
