Sports Desk:

Bangladesh captain Liton Das cut a disconsolate figure after Wednesday’s 37-run defeat to hosts Pakistan in the first of three Twenty20 internationals.

The Tigers continued their losing streak in the shortest format having also lost their last two matches away to unfancied Associate side United Arab Emirates to concede a shocking series defeat.

After a short turnaround, the men in red and green again disappointed to give Pakistan a 1-0 lead and Liton was forthright in his assessment during the presentation ceremony, blaming all three departments for the latest loss.

Chasing Pakistan’s 201/7 at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Bangladesh fell well short, getting dismissed for 164 in 19.2 overs.

“All over the game, we didn’t bowl well, bat well and field well. Not only bowling and batting, but you have to field well. In the first game, you have to field well. We didn’t field well. 200 is chaseable on this ground, because the ground is so fast, and the wicket was pretty good to bat on. We don’t bat well in the middle as well,” said the Bangladesh skipper.

Liton top-scored for the visitors with 48 after Tanzid Hasan’s 31 at the top, while Jaker Ali Anik, one of the Tigers’ better batters in recent times, with his 36 only helped to decrease the margin of defeat in the end.

“Jaker Ali, last one year, he played really well. He’s the key player at the moment. But one player can’t win the game. We have to (have contributions) from everyone,” said Liton.

The tourists have to regroup quickly for Friday’s second and penultimate T20I and Liton said they have much to ponder.

“We have two games still. We have to come back strongly. I mean, not in practice. Mentally, we have to think. I feel that cricket is not about practice, it is to grab, to think about cricket, and apply in the middle,” he added.