Shanto calls for better planning after West Indies series setback

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto admitted that his side failed to execute their plans properly in the two-match Test series against West Indies, saying the team must learn to make better use of home advantage in future.

Bangladesh drew the second and final Test at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium today after Towhid Hridoy followed his magnificent 242 not out with 82 in the second innings to help them avoid a defeat and a series whitewash.

West Indies eventually took the series 1-0 following an eight-wicket victory in Dhaka.

Shanto said Bangladesh had planned to play on spin-friendly wickets, but the conditions did not turn out as expected, particularly in Sylhet.

"We planned to play on spin-friendly wickets, and if you look at both Tests, we fielded three spinners and two fast bowlers. I still believe the plan was right, but we failed to execute it properly," Shanto told reporters after the match.

"We did not get the conditions we expected in Sylhet. We probably fell a little short in our planning in that regard," he added.

Bangladesh had expected the ball to start turning much earlier, but the surface remained largely batter-friendly even on the fourth and fifth days. 

Shanto said that his spinners did not bowl well enough but insisted that their long-standing contributions deserved recognition.

"Bangladesh have always depended on spinners, both at home and away, to win Test matches. We should not lose faith in them so quickly. They have contributed for the last 10-12 years, and they deserve our backing. They might have two or three difficult series, but I believe they will bounce back," he said.

The Bangladesh captain believes that his team failed to play even 50 per cent of the cricket they were capable of producing in the series.

"We did not play good cricket, and it is important to accept that. The way we have been playing this format, I don't think we could even produce 50 percent of our usual cricket. Had we planned and executed better, the result could have been different," he said.

"We don't really have much opportunity for preparation. We may get one or two days of practice, so we have to prepare mentally as much as possible. South Africa are a good side, but I believe we can compete if our bowling unit performs at its best," he said.�"BSS