Can Bangladesh Reset Their Batting After Loss to NZ?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Rabeya Khan emphasizes the need for a batting reset.
- Bangladesh must build a strong top-order performance.
- Captain Nigar Sultana Joty is under pressure but remains committed.
- Upcoming match against South Africa is critical.
- Team's resilience and determination are vital for recovery.
Guwahati, Oct 11 (NationPress) Following a series of disappointing defeats at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, Bangladesh is now focusing on identifying solutions, particularly in their batting lineup, before their essential match against South Africa in Visakhapatnam on Monday.
Bangladesh started their tournament positively with a win over Pakistan, but after setbacks against England and New Zealand, they find themselves outside the top four. The pressure is mounting with little time to regroup before facing a revitalized South African team.
Among the challenges, Rabeya Khan has emerged as a bright spot for Bangladesh. The 19-year-old all-rounder showcased her talent in their 100-run loss to New Zealand, achieving figures of 3/30 from 10 overs and scoring 25 runs off 39 balls. Yet, she was candid in recognizing the team's shortcomings.
“If the top-order fails to score, the efforts of the lower order are rendered ineffective,” Rabeya remarked to the press after the match. “Our batting has really faltered in the last two games, making it tough for us.”
Reflecting on their previous defeat against England, Rabeya noted that the lower order attempted to stabilize the innings amid an early collapse.
“In the last match, we lost wickets early on, and with many overs remaining, Fahima Khatun and I aimed to stay at the crease, focusing on singles to keep the scoreboard ticking. We intended to build a substantial total towards the end, but the early losses hindered our scoring,” she explained.
Rabeya dismissed any claims that pitch conditions were a factor in their losses.
“The pitch was the same for both teams; we simply didn’t perform well. That’s the crux of the matter,” she acknowledged. “Our focus will be on our batting unit moving forward, while we maintain our current form in bowling and fielding.”
The young spinner also defended captain Nigar Sultana Joty, who has struggled, averaging only nine runs in the tournament.
“She was confident during practice and usually maintains that confidence in matches,” Rabeya stated. “However, sometimes runs don’t come; that’s just part of the game. She is putting in a lot of effort.”
Bangladesh is set to face South Africa, a team that has bounced back from an initial loss with two consecutive victories.
“Next time,” Rabeya concluded, “our focus will be on improving our batting.”