World Cup 2023: Najmul Shanto says Bangladesh had no intentions' to deny Virat Kohli a ton

Bangladesh stand-in skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto denied suggestions that Nasum Ahmed intentionally bowled a wide ball to deny Virat Kohli a century in their World Cup clash.

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Kohli was batting on 97 and India needed another two runs to achieve the target of 257 on Thursday, when Ahmed sent a delivery down the leg side, which was not adjudged a wide by the on-field umpire Richard Kettleborough.

Moments later, in the 42nd over, Kohli deposited the ball over deep mid-wicket to finish the game off with a six, reaching 103 not out and completing India’s comfortable win.

Shanto defended Ahmed after Bangladesh’s third straight defeat saying they wanted 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 told the media after the game in Pune.

Shanto rued the fact that two of their batters openers Tanzid Hasan (53) and Litton Das (66) failed to notch up big scores despite fifties.

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

“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 said.

Shanto is leading the team in the absence of regular skipper Shakib Al Hasan who has been sidelined with a quad injury. He defended the team’s preparations against India.

“The preparation was very good, to be very honest. The place where we were struggling, the top order, it did well,” 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.