"Didn't Have Any Answer To Heinrich Klaasen's Finish": Shakib Al Hasan
Shakib praised the classy batting by Quinton and Klaasen and feels that Bangladesh should have bowled better.
After Bangladesh suffered its fourth loss in the ongoing ICC World Cup 2023, captain Shakib Al Hasan backed his side to return to winning ways and admitted his team had no answer to Heinrich Klaasen's brutal late-hitting. South Africa's massive first-innings total of 382/5 at the Wankhede Stadium was driven by Quinton de Kock's 20th ODI century and some stormy late hitting from Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller. The Proteas also garnered a massive net run rate boost with another emphatic 149-run win over Bangladesh.
De Kock and Klaasen bossed Bangladesh bowlers while hammering them brutally all around the ground. De Kock gave his team a solid platform with his knock of 174 from 140 balls, smashing 22 boundaries. Klaasen with his hard-hitting powered Proteas to a mammoth total however he fell narrowly short of his century, departing for 90 from 49 balls.
Shakib praised the classy batting by Quinton and Klaasen and feels that they should have bowled better. The Bangladesh captain reckons that this was one of the most expensive last 10 overs they have bowled in a long time.
"We bowled the first 25 overs well. We got three wickets, they were going at about 5 an over. From there they kicked on. Quinton batted really well, and the way Klaasen finished was something we didn't have any answer to. On a ground like this, it can happen but we should've bowled better. Lost the game in the last 10 overs," Shakib Al Hasan said in a post-match presentation.
Bangladesh's top order failed to put up big runs on the score except Mahmudullah who played a vigilant knock of 111 runs.
"Has been a lot of talking about whether Mushfiq and Mahmudullah should bat higher. But the role they have, they're doing very well. Our top four batters need to do well," he added.
Shakib backed his side to return to winning ways and said they wanted to finish in the top 5 or 6 teams if not the semis.
"Long way to go in this tournament, anything can happen. A lot to be learnt, and a lot to play for. Will love to finish 5-6 if not in the semis. We're not playing like a team that can do it, but hopes to finish stronger," the Bangladesh skipper said.
With just one win in five encounters, Bangladesh will face Netherlands on October 28 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
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Bangladesh Cricket Team
South Africa Cricket Team
Shakib Al Hasan