A big innings was needed, Soumya insists

Soumya Sarkar gave Bangladesh a flying start in the chase of 196-run target that was set by the Proteas in the first T20 at Bloemfontein.

However, Tigers fell 20 runs short of the target and the Bangladesh opener felt that if one of the top batsmen from no. 3 to 6 had carried on to play the final ten overs then Bangladesh could have managed to win.

Soumya's 31-ball 47, an innings that starred five fours and two sixes, powered Bangladesh to 92 runs in the first nine overs for the loss of two wickets. Soumya was gone in the first delivery of the tenth over and Bangladesh quickly slumped to 101 for five in 11.2 overs as they lost Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah Riyad in quick succession.

Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim and Sabbir Rahman all got starts but none of them managed to play a big knock.

"If someone from No. 3 to 6 could have played a big innings in the last 10 overs, it would have helped us," Sarkar insisted.

"Then we would have had a set batsman at the crease in the last 10 overs, making things easier for us. They made nearly 200 runs but we also made 175.

All-rounder Mohammed Saifuddin played a handy unbeaten innings of 39 from 27 balls coming in at five down, but he ran out of partners to push for a victory.

(Source: ESPNCricinfo)