Promoting Mosaddek up batting order didn't work: Mashrafe Mortaza

Khulna 21 January -  Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza says debutant Mosaddek Hossain's temperament was put on test when he was sent at No.4 ahead of Shakib Al Hasan in the third Twenty20 International against Zimbabwe here.

The skipper, however, thinks the ploy bore no positive result as Bangladesh suffered a 31-run defeat at the Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium on Wednesday to still lead the four-match series 2-1, reports a news website.

Bangladesh, however, were on course in their chase of 188 to win when Sabbir Rahman and Soumya Sarkar were in the middle. After the duo walked back, Mosaddek, who was sent in at four, could not maintain the momentum as the hosts gradually crumbled.

"Definitely, Shakib could have batted at four. But he can bat at any position. We wanted to see how a debutant did in that position in such situation. It did not work this time. We have to keep this in mind in future," Mashrafe said.

Mosaddek was bowled by irregular spinner Sikandar Raza for 19 off 15 balls while attempting a reverse sweep.

Bangladesh handed T20I debuts to four players on Wednesday. Mashrafe said the players had been in reckoning for some time.

"(Giving national cap to four players in a match) definitely could appear excessive from outside. But they were being watched for the last few days. But we were not up to the mark in our planning on the field so we lost the match."

Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) sensation Abu Haider Rony, too, made his debut. He returned 2/40 in 4 overs.
"I said this before, he is a promising talent. He did not do too badly in his first match. I hope when he gets his next opportunity, either in the national team or domestic cricket, he will do better," concluded the skipper.

Agency