Sarkar Deflects Blame from Nurul’s Missed Catch in Team’s Defeat

Bangladesh’s Soumya Sarkar expressed on Tuesday that a win in the Super Over against the West Indies in the second ODI would have relieved significant pressure on the home team. As a result, Bangladesh is now preparing for the series decider at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Thursday, following the visitors’ dramatic series-leveling win in the second game.

Sarkar refrained from pointing fingers for the defeat, despite Bangladesh’s potential to secure victory if wicketkeeper Nurul Hasan had caught the final ball. His miss allowed the West Indies to tie the match and push it to a Super Over – marking Bangladesh’s first in international cricket.

“Today was a new experience with the Super Over. Many pivotal moments occurred, including two catch opportunities,” Sarkar noted.

“It’s not solely Nurul’s dropped catch that cost us the match. It was a tough chance, and had it been taken, we might have won. But it was a difficult catch, and he made a sincere effort,” he commented.

Sarkar explained that the decision not to send Rishad Hossain in the Super Over was made by the captain and coach. This choice surprised many, given Rishad’s impressive quick-fire innings in the series.

“The coach and captain had their strategy. They decided to send our main batter at that crucial moment,” Sarkar stated.

“Frankly, none of us anticipated Akeal Hosein’s bowling. The coach and captain made the call regarding who would bat. If two left-handers had gone in and encountered an off-spinner, it could have been problematic. Hence, they opted for a combination of lefty and righty. The opponents employed the same strategy,” he explained.

Sarkar acknowledged his struggles in the Super Over, saying, “It was not my success story. Facing a left-arm spinner, I believed I could score a boundary, but the conditions were challenging for hitting big shots. The ball was worn after 50 overs, making it hard to connect well for boundaries due to the slow pace and significant turn.”

Reflecting on his return to the national team, Sarkar confessed he is still finding his rhythm after a comeback. “Reentering the scene after a hiatus feels novel, and settling in takes time. There’s mental pressure, but as a player, one must seize every opportunity to prove oneself,” he remarked.

Sarkar also highlighted the challenges of batting on the Mirpur wicket. “It demands intense focus as scoring singles or boundaries isn’t easy. You have to stay sharp to capitalize on loose balls and adapt your skills to score off good deliveries. This pitch requires both skill and mental resilience,” he added.

“Executing strokes here is tough. As observed, singles were infrequent, and boundaries were scarce during the overs,” he concluded.