Mushtaq laments tactical lapses in Bangladesh's chase in first T20I

Bangladesh's spin consultant Mushtaq Ahmed admitted that the team lacked tactical sharpness during their opening T20I loss to Pakistan on Wednesday night.

Speaking after the match, Mushtaq pointed out that Bangladesh failed to manage the run chase wisely.

"When you're chasing 200, showing intent is vital. You can't afford to let the required run-rate climb over 13. If it does and you lose a wicket, it becomes incredibly tough for the next batter to keep the momentum. We weren’t tactically smart today,” Mushtaq said during the post-match press conference.

Mushtaq, a former Pakistan Test spinner, emphasized that the team has the ability to reach a target of 200 but needs to be smarter in the middle phase of the innings.

“I believe our batters are capable of scoring big, and when Litton started off, it looked like we had a solid grip. But asking for 13-14 runs an over is too much pressure. As coaches, we must guide them better to maintain a strong intent especially through the middle overs,” he added.

He also gave credit to Pakistan for their commanding performance in Lahore.

“Pakistan deserved the win. They played aggressive and positive cricket,” said Mushtaq, who himself is a former Pakistan leg-spinner.

Mushtaq still has high hopes for young spinner Rishad Hossain despite a tough outing in the first match.

“Rishad is still developing. He’s learning with every game and has the potential to win matches. He just needs to get smarter with his field placements. Pakistan played well, but I still see a bright future for Rishad in Bangladesh cricket,” Mushtaq commented.

In the first match, Rishad, who recently featured in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), was the most expensive bowler for Bangladesh, conceding 55 runs and taking one wicket in four overs.

Bangladesh fell short in their chase of 202, being dismissed for 164.

Mushtaq also praised Pakistan’s captain Agha Salman for his impactful knock.

“Agha batted beautifully. Whether it's T20 or T10, strong basics and proper cricketing shots always pay off. He showed the qualities of a good cricketer by sticking to authentic strokes,” he said.

Salman came to the crease with Pakistan reeling at 5 for 2 and steadied the innings with a crucial 56 off 34 deliveries.

Acknowledging the absence of Bangladesh’s injured pacers Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman, Mushtaq admitted it weakened the side but remained hopeful.

“We definitely missed Taskin and Mustafizur. Shoriful gave us a decent start, but Pakistan's intent was clear and they capitalized. Still, I believe we can bounce back strongly if we correct our errors,” Mushtaq noted.

He also analyzed the pitch behavior, explaining its early challenges.

“The ball moved early and was slightly slow in the beginning. You could see it spin and grip in the first five overs, as shown in Saim and Fakhar’s dismissals. Later, it became better for batting. Shamim bowled very well and brought us back into the game. I was really impressed, especially seeing him for the first time. He could be a valuable sixth bowling option for us,” he said.

Finally, Mushtaq commended Pakistan’s all-rounder Shadab Khan for his match-winning performance, while urging him to keep improving.

“Good performances increase self-belief. When an all-rounder scores runs, it boosts confidence in their bowling too. Shadab still has room to grow, and I see him as a three-in-one player. His form has improved, especially after the PSL,” Mushtaq stated.

Shadab played a decisive role by smashing 48 off 25 balls and picking up two wickets for 26 runs in his four overs, helping Pakistan secure the 37-run victory.