AFG vs BAN 2025: Bangladesh’s spin bowling coach urges batters ‘to play the ball, not the bowler’

Mushtaq Ahmed, Bangladesh’s spin bowling coach, has reminded his batsmen to play the ball based on its value rather than the bowler’s reputation. Bangladesh’s batting unit has struggled in both ODIs in the three-match series against Afghanistan thus far.

Mushtaq’s comments came after Rashid Khan dominated Bangladesh in both one-day internationals, producing figures of 3/38 in 10 overs in the first and 5/17 in 8.3 overs in the second. Mushtaq criticised the batting department.

“I think they are playing Rashid, not the ball. He is not a big spinner of the ball. But he is very experienced. He is a wicket-taker. His line and length is very consistent. I think we have to sometimes play the ball, not the bowler. We have to improve quickly,” Mushtaq.

Mushtaq suggested that the most effective solution for playing match-winners like Rashid is to be dynamic and not let him settle into a rhythm.

“Rashid has been very successful for many, many years for Afghanistan, but [at the] same time, as a Bangladeshi batting unit, we should know how to play the ball, not the bowler. Obviously, against spinners like Rashid and all, [who are] very mature and experienced cricketers in those conditions, we have to be very proactive to playing those kind of spinners very quickly,” he added.