"We have lacked in this area" - Shakib Al Hasan laments Bangladesh's lack of confidence in T20 World Cup 2024

Veteran Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan lamented the lack of confidence in their squad as the Tigers find themselves on the brink of elimination in T20 World Cup 2024. The former captain reflected on the 50-run loss to India, claiming that Bangladesh weren't even trying to chase the target of 197.

After losing to Australia, Bangladesh faced a mighty Indian side on Saturday in Antigua. The Men in Blue flexed their muscles, hitting 196-4 as Hardik Pandya struck an unbeaten half-century. In response, Bangladesh looked nowhere near chasing it, finishing with 146-8.

Speaking to reporters, Shakib said Bangladesh needed to be a lot better than they were against India. The 37-year-old was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo:

"We are short of runs as a batting unit. We made 140 in the last game, 146 today. We should have done better today since we had a target in front of us. We couldn't even show it to people that we were trying [to chase the target] today. I don't think the confidence was there. We have lacked in this area throughout the World Cup."

Bangladesh came into the World Cup on the back of a series loss to USA. However, they fared well in the group stage, defeating the Netherlands, Sri Lanka, and Nepal, followed by a narrow loss to South Africa.

"We couldn't do the basics for longer periods to create pressure" - Shakib Al Hasan

Shakib claimed that Bangladesh are fully capable of scoring north of 175-180, but have hardly turned up as a batting unit. He added:

"You have to bring your A-game against teams like Australia and India. I think we lacked in skill and strength. We couldn't do the basics for longer periods to create pressure. Throughout this World Cup, I don't think we justified ourselves as a batting unit. We are capable of scoring big runs. We were well short of par scores like 175-185 in the last two games, both played on good wickets."

Bangladesh are all but out of the semi-finals race ahead of their last Super 8 game against Afghanistan on Tuesday.