Fakhrul Hassan

Bangladesh pacer Taskin Ahmed has expressed his disappointment over the side’s lackluster batting performance in the tri-nation ODI series opener against Zimbabwe, citing a middle-order collapse as the primary cause behind their 99-run defeat.

Chasing a target of 272 after Zimbabwe posted 271-8, Bangladesh's batting lineup crumbled, leaving the team folded for 172 in 33.2 overs.

Taskin emphasized that the target was well within reach on a batting-friendly surface.

“The pitch was the same as it was today, and we bowled well. A little bit of a twist was going to get us punished. 272 was definitely chase-able,” Taskin said during the post-match interaction.

“In these conditions, it was necessary to chase. We should have done it. We did not play well and could not build a partnership. The match would have been different had we built some partnerships. There are regular mistakes in batting. The consistency in bowling has improved a bit. I think the batters should have won this match.”

Taskin was the standout bowler for Bangladesh, returning figures of 3-44 in his 10-over spell. His opening spell—which reduced Zimbabwe to three wickets within the first six overs—put the opposition under early pressure, though Zimbabwe managed to recover via a 150-run partnership between Craig Ervine and Brendan Taylor.

The fast bowler commended Zimbabwe's batters for absorbing pressure and constructing a decisive partnership.

“A few days ago, the Test in Abu Dhabi was also drawn. This pitch is good for scoring runs. Partnerships could have been built if we had wanted. They did that. They handled the good balls very well and punished the bad ones,” he noted. “They showed that no matter how much pressure there is, it is possible to score well if you build a partnership on a good pitch.”

Calling the defeat a necessary "reality check," Taskin stressed collective accountability across both departments.

“This has been a reality check. We have understood that there are some areas that need to be improved. This is not an individual game. Individual performances by one or two players do not matter if the team cannot win. We have to improve as a team. Batters and bowlers are equally responsible,” he added.

Addressing recent scrutiny surrounding the team's local coaching staff, Taskin urged against judging coaches solely based on nationality.

“Whether the coaching staff is local or foreign, the basic theory is the same. It is not that everything in the world will turn upside down when a foreign coach comes. Local coaches are also quite capable. They have played at a good level and are coaching well,” Taskin said, adding: “It's not about domestic or foreign. It's all about results. If you win, everything is fine.”