Failed to withstand pressure Says Bangladesh skipper Mortaza

Kolkata, March 16 (Cricketnmore): Thumped by Pakistan in their inaugural World Twenty 20 group cricket match at the Eden Gardens on Wednesday, Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe Mortaza conceded that his team failed to soak up the pressure against the opponent's batting onslaught.

"We couldn't get hold of the match right from the beginning and were not able to soak up the pressure when their batsmen were attacking. We couldn't execute ourselves properly," said Mortaza after his team went down by 55 runs chasing a stiff 202.

"The team did not have a negative outlook, but we couldn't tackle them when their batsmen were attacking us in the first six overs. We were positive, but couldn't stand up against their batting onslaught," said Mortaza who credited Pakistan batsmen Ahmed Shehzad and Mohammad Hafeez for taking the game away.

The duo of Shehzad and Hafeez added 95 runs for the second before Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi played a blistering 19 ball 49 to power his team to an imposing total.

Moratza also admitted his team had erred in reading the Eden pitch.

"The wicket was good and if we could have restricted them to 160-170 runs, things could have been different. The wicket appeared a grassy and we thought the ball would hold up a bit. But our judgement turned out to be totally wrong," said the pacer.

The Bangladeshi skipper also rued the absence of pacer Mustafizur Rahman.

"Mustafizur is our best bowler at the moment and desperately wanted him to play in this match but couldn't as he is not fit. We are hopeful of getting him in the next match," he said.

Gearing up for the upcoming matches, Mortaza exuded confidence of doing well.

"We have to do well in the next matches as our opponents will be strong. We are not looking too far and taking one match at a time. Every match is important for us because we are in a tough group with challenging opponents," added Mortaza.

Agency.