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Mushtaq Ahmed believed that Bangladesh batters lacked patience and game awareness after the hosts lost four wickets in just nine overs in their first innings of the second and final Test against South Africa at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram on Wednesday. 

After South Africa declared their innings on 575-6, the top three of Bangladesh batters could survive only 35 balls collectively. 

They were 29-3 at one stage, and this was the fifth time that Bangladesh lost their first three wickets inside 40 runs in the same number of Tests. 

‘May be patience level can be better. Test cricket is all about playing according to the situation. It is about surviving that period of 40 minutes,’ Bangladesh spin bowling coach told reporters at the end of second day’s play. 

‘Shadman [Islam] got very unlucky to be caught down the leg-side. We have to improve in these areas.’

The great Pakistan leg-spinner also believes that the players do not lack confidence, but they need to alter their thinking.

‘May be lack of Test cricket process. It is about game awareness. When to leave the ball. [When] I have to play tightly. I have to see off these five overs. [It’s about] mindset. They just have to understand the situation,’ he said.

After fielding 144.2 overs, it was always going to be challenging for the batters. However, Mushtaq stated that as a professional team, Bangladesh should not use this as an excuse.

‘It does [affect], but that’s not how a professional team should think’, said Mushtaq.

‘They should work as hard as they can. Losing four wickets is not a big deal. A coach has to tell players that in any situation, they have to fight and believe.’

Tony Zorzi, the South African opener who scored 177, said that they wanted to take advantage of Bangladesh players’ tiredness. 

‘If I were an opener in that situation, it’s not a nice time to come in and bat. Anything can happen with tired minds and tired bodies. We were just at the right place and at the right time, and we made good decisions’, the left-hander said. 

Bangladesh are playing with only four specialist bowlers in this match. Taijul bowled 52.2 overs, only the fourth time in his career he had to bowl at least 50 overs in an innings. 

Mushtaq didn’t think that they needed an extra-bowler but he credited the opponent’s batters.

‘They took the opportunity and showed patience. In this type of wicket, you’ve got to grab the opportunities. But we missed chances at the beginning.’