Bangladesh Stand-In Captain Breaks Silence On Virat Kohli Wide Ball Controversy In World Cup Match vs India

Bangladesh stand-in captain Najmul Hossain Shanto has rubbished the suggestion that spinner Nasum Ahmed “intentionally” bowled a large ball to disclaim Virat Kohli a century in direction of the top of India’s chase of their World Cup conflict. Kohli was batting on 97 with 9 overs left and India needing one other two runs to attain the goal of 257 right here on Thursday, when Ahmed despatched a supply down the leg aspect, which surprisingly was additionally not adjudged a large by the on-field umpire Richard Kettleborough.

A few deliveries later, within the forty second over, Kohli deposited the ball over deep midwicket to complete the sport with a six, reaching 103 not out and finishing India’s snug win.

Shanto defended Ahmed after Bangladesh’s third defeat on the bounce saying they needed to play a “proper game”.

“No, no. There was no such plan. It was a normal plan. No bowler had the intention to bowl a wide ball. We tried to play a proper game. It was not intentional,” Shanto advised the media right here on Thursday.

Shanto rued the truth that two of their batters — openers Tanzid Hasan (53) and Litton Das (66) — did not notch up massive scores after getting their respective fifties.

“We have had big runs before, but I think we are not taking the responsibility,” he stated.

“I would say, for those who are getting set here, if Litton or Tanzid could have played 120-130 run innings, it would have been easier for Mushi (Mushfiqur Rahim), (Towhid) Hridoy, or (Mahmudullah) Riyad. The middle-order didn’t bat well, as well as those who were set (and) couldn’t make runs,” he stated.

Shanto, who led the staff in absence of standard skipper Shakib Al Hasan after he was sidelined with a quad damage, defended the staff’s preparations towards the rampant Indian staff.

“The preparation was excellent, to be very sincere. The place the place we have been struggling, the highest order, it did properly,” he said.

With no official update on Shakib’s availability yet, Shanto said Bangladesh were hoping to have their skipper back in the side soon.

“He is recovering and he is in good condition. We did not want to take a risk since we have five more matches to go. He is in a good state, a lot better and there is improvement. We hope that maybe he will play in the next match,” Shanto hoped.

Bangladesh’s best batter on the day, Tanzid, who took on India’s fast bowlers in the powerplay, said he was pleased with his knock — a maiden ODI fifty — but was aware that it did not help the team’s cause.

“I failed in the last three matches but today (Thursday) I could do something. I will try to work on my lackings.

“If the team does not win, this innings becomes worthless but it feels good if I can contribute for the team,” said Tanzid.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)