Panic, Lack of Experience Gets the Better of Us in Tensed Clash: Shakib

Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan believes that panic and the lack of experience to deal with the nerve-wracking moment cost them the game against India when they came so close to beating the subcontinent powerhouse in a T20 World Cup game.

"Panic and lack of experience-- both contributed to our close defeat," said Shakib after Bangladesh lost the game by five runs. "We often didn't encounter such sort of moment. We actually didn't play so many close matches, so the players got panicked a bit. But I think we should win the game.

Most of the teams will win the game when they need 85 runs from nine overs with all 10 wickets at hand. But unfortunately, we couldn't do that."

India managed to put up 184-6 and Bangladesh were 66 for no loss in seven overs, thanks to a majestic knock from Litton before the rain arrived. As the rain stopped, Bangladesh's revised target was set at 151 in 16 overs, which they eventually couldn't chase. They were restricted to 145-6 with Litton being out on 27 ball-60.

Litton's unfortunate run-out dismissal indeed began the rot as Bangladesh lost six wickets for 40 runs in five overs before Nurul Hasan Sohan and Taskin Ahmed got the team back on track. However Indian bowlers held the nerve to deny the duo.

"It's been the story when we play India. We're almost there but don't cross the line. It was a great game, the crowd enjoyed, both teams enjoyed, in the end, someone has to win and someone has to lose," Shakib said.

The Bangladesh skipper also said that if the current side stays together, they could pull off close games in the future.

"Interestingly all of our World Cup matches against India became close after 2105. But unfortunately, we couldn't seal the game. But I believe if we can go same way and with the same strategy, in the future definitely, we'll seal those close matches. I think we should nurse this team well," he remarked.

He also lavished praise on Liton, saying that the opener's innings was not 'out of the box', instead he is capable of playing this kind of knock.

"Liton is batting really well, probably he's our best batter going around. We thought we could chase this down after that start. For the last two or three years, he has been our best batter. He played well in Test and ODI cricket but in T20 cricket, he has been playing well for the last one year. So his innings is not out of the box rather he is absolutely capable of playing this kind of knock."

Shakib said his target was to get the Indian top order as early as possible and therefore he bowled Taskin out but unfortunately on this day, the fast bowler didn't get any wicket despite bowling terrifically.

"Our plan was to get India's top order quickly, that's why I bowled out Taskin, he's been our main bowler. Unfortunately he couldn't get wickets today, he was unlucky but it was a plan to get India's top order out to dictate the game. We're positive, we wanted to enjoy this World Cup, hopefully we can continue this."