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DHAKA, May 12, 2024 (BSS)-Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto was unfazed by the defeat to Zimbabwe in the fifth and final game, saying that they did some experiments which worked well.

The hosts won the first four matches, albeit some hiccups to eventually win the five-match series by 4-1 but Zimbabwe's victory in the fifth game denied Bangladesh a first ever clean sweep in five-match series.

The series was seen as the preparation platform for the upcoming T20 World Cup. Ahead of the series, Shanto said they would experiment to find out the areas they need to improve but not at the cost of series defeat. 

"We were serious in every match. We didn't want to lose any match. But credit must go to Zimbabwe. They played good cricket," Shanto said after the crushing eight-wicket defeat to Zimbabwe in the fifth game.

"When you win a series, it always boosts the confidence. We did some experiments in the series and found out the areas we need to improve. We had some expectation from the series. It's not that all expectations were met up but we came closer," he said. 

Bangladesh somehow escaped a defeat despite a consistent abysmal batting display in the past four matches largely due to Zimbabwe's mediocre batting. 

But when Zimbabwe's batting clicked finally, the result was Bangladesh's crushing defeat, something which sent an SOS ahead of the World Cup.

Shanto admitted that their main concern is the top order batting in which they need to have proper improvement before the World Cup. 

"Our top order has the ability to bat well. If they can start well, the team will be in good shape. Rhythm is always important. Hopefully they will get the rhythm ahead of the World Cup," Shanto added. 

Opener Tanzid Hasan Tamim and middle order batter Towhid Hridoy were most consistent among the batters. Tanzid hit highest 160 runs with two fifties in the series while Hridoy scored 140 runs with one half-century.
 
Veteran Mahmudullah also get a half-century in the last match but was not as consistent as he should be. Due to the batters' consistency issues, Bangladesh failed to put up a significant total in any of the five T20 matches. 

Captain Shanto who is also the vital cog of the batting line up failed miserably, scoring just 81 runs in five matches. 

"My performance was not as good as we expected. But I am working hard to develop my skill. A batter can't do well in every series. However the Zimbabwe series is now past. I am working hard to do well in the next series," he informed.

But Shanto is happy to get some idea about where to improve during the series. 

"We found some ideas to where we need to improve. The spinners bowled very well. Rishad and Mahedi fulfilled the expectation. We also played Tanvir Islam and he did well too. This was encouraging," he added. 

Bangladesh won some close matches in the series, for which, Shanto also cheered. "We won a few close matches which we needed. You have to be coped well with the close matches because in tournament like World Cup, we'll get high-pressurized match. The way we closed out the close game, it keeps our morale high."