‘Positive things can emerge’: Hridoy calls for constructive criticism

Bangladesh cricketers have been under intense scrutiny since the Asia Cup, facing everything from harsh analysis to social-media trolling, with the batters -- often falling short of fan expectations -- becoming the prime targets. Tawhid Hridoy has frequently been among those singled out, but despite Bangladesh's defeat to Ireland, he returned to form with a 50-ball 83 and used the moment to make a pointed appeal to his critics.

In Thursday's 39-run loss to Ireland in the first of three T20Is, every Bangladesh batter except Hridoy came under heavy fire, prompting some supporters to march around the stadium chanting "Vua, Vua", while others called for a complete overhaul of the team.

These reactions do reach the players. The waves of criticism on social media, in particular, hit them strongly. Hridoy said he has no problem accepting criticism but requested that it be logical and not simply emotional.

"You will criticise from your position, that's normal. It's not something we can control," Hridoy told reporters in the post-match presser.

He continued, "Even from criticism, positive things can emerge. A few of your comments can help us change a lot. We certainly take it positively.

"I request you to criticise with logic. Sometimes, as Bengalis, we continue something just because it has started -- but it shouldn't be like that. Please do criticise; I want you to. We can also receive many valuable messages from it if the criticism is constructive."

Chasing 182, Bangladesh suffered a top-order collapse. They lost four wickets for 18 runs, and later slumped to 78 for 8. Hridoy, batting with the tailenders, dragged the total to 142, merely reducing the margin of defeat. While the middle order's struggles had been evident in recent matches, this time the collapse began at the top.

Hridoy believes there is room for improvement across the board.

"Not just the middle order -- from top to bottom we have areas to improve. Once that improvement comes, we hope to achieve better results."