<p>Pune: Bangladesh stand-in captain Najmul Hossain Shanto has rubbished the suggestion that spinner Nasum Ahmed 'intentionally' bowled a wide ball to deny Virat Kohli a century towards the end of India’s chase in their World Cup clash.</p>.<p>Kohli was batting on 97 with nine overs left and India needing another two runs to achieve the target of 257 here on Thursday, when Ahmed sent a delivery down the leg side, which surprisingly was also not adjudged a wide by the on-field umpire Richard Kettleborough.</p>.2023 Cricket World Cup, Pak vs Aus: 5 players to watch out for.<p>A couple of deliveries later, in the 42nd over, Kohli deposited the ball over deep midwicket to finish the game with a six, reaching 103 not out and completing India's comfortable win.</p>.<p>Shanto defended Ahmed after Bangladesh’s third defeat on the bounce saying they wanted to play a 'proper game'.</p>.<p>“No, no. There was no such plan. It was a normal plan. No bowler had the intention to bowl a wide ball. We tried to play a proper game. It was not intentional,” Shanto told the media on Thursday.</p>.<p>Shanto rued the fact that two of their batters — openers Tanzid Hasan (53) and Litton Das (66) — failed to notch up big scores after getting their respective fifties.</p>.<p>“We have had big runs before, but I think we are not taking the responsibility,” he said.</p>.<p>“I would say, for those who are getting set here, if Litton or Tanzid could have played 120-130 run innings, it would have been easier for Mushi (Mushfiqur Rahim), (Towhid) Hridoy, or (Mahmudullah) Riyad. The middle-order didn't bat well, as well as those who were set (and) couldn't make runs,” he said.</p>.<p>Shanto, who led the team in absence of regular skipper Shakib Al Hasan after he was sidelined with a quad injury, defended the team’s preparations against the rampant Indian team.</p>.<p>“The preparation was very good, to be very honest. The place where we were struggling, the top order, it did well," he said.</p>.<p>With no official update on Shakib’s availability yet, Shanto said Bangladesh were hoping to have their skipper back in the side soon.</p>.<p>“He is recovering and he is in good condition. We did not want to take a risk since we have five more matches to go. He is in a good state, a lot better and there is improvement. We hope that maybe he will play in the next match,” Shanto hoped.</p>.<p>Bangladesh’s best batter on the day, Tanzid, who took on India’s fast bowlers in the powerplay, said he was pleased with his knock — a maiden ODI fifty — but was aware that it did not help the team’s cause.</p>.<p>“I failed in the last three matches but today (Thursday) I could do something. I will try to work on my lackings.</p>.<p>“If the team does not win, this innings becomes worthless but it feels good if I can contribute for the team,” said Tanzid.</p>
<p>Pune: Bangladesh stand-in captain Najmul Hossain Shanto has rubbished the suggestion that spinner Nasum Ahmed 'intentionally' bowled a wide ball to deny Virat Kohli a century towards the end of India’s chase in their World Cup clash.</p>.<p>Kohli was batting on 97 with nine overs left and India needing another two runs to achieve the target of 257 here on Thursday, when Ahmed sent a delivery down the leg side, which surprisingly was also not adjudged a wide by the on-field umpire Richard Kettleborough.</p>.2023 Cricket World Cup, Pak vs Aus: 5 players to watch out for.<p>A couple of deliveries later, in the 42nd over, Kohli deposited the ball over deep midwicket to finish the game with a six, reaching 103 not out and completing India's comfortable win.</p>.<p>Shanto defended Ahmed after Bangladesh’s third defeat on the bounce saying they wanted to play a 'proper game'.</p>.<p>“No, no. There was no such plan. It was a normal plan. No bowler had the intention to bowl a wide ball. We tried to play a proper game. It was not intentional,” Shanto told the media on Thursday.</p>.<p>Shanto rued the fact that two of their batters — openers Tanzid Hasan (53) and Litton Das (66) — failed to notch up big scores after getting their respective fifties.</p>.<p>“We have had big runs before, but I think we are not taking the responsibility,” he said.</p>.<p>“I would say, for those who are getting set here, if Litton or Tanzid could have played 120-130 run innings, it would have been easier for Mushi (Mushfiqur Rahim), (Towhid) Hridoy, or (Mahmudullah) Riyad. The middle-order didn't bat well, as well as those who were set (and) couldn't make runs,” he said.</p>.<p>Shanto, who led the team in absence of regular skipper Shakib Al Hasan after he was sidelined with a quad injury, defended the team’s preparations against the rampant Indian team.</p>.<p>“The preparation was very good, to be very honest. The place where we were struggling, the top order, it did well," he said.</p>.<p>With no official update on Shakib’s availability yet, Shanto said Bangladesh were hoping to have their skipper back in the side soon.</p>.<p>“He is recovering and he is in good condition. We did not want to take a risk since we have five more matches to go. He is in a good state, a lot better and there is improvement. We hope that maybe he will play in the next match,” Shanto hoped.</p>.<p>Bangladesh’s best batter on the day, Tanzid, who took on India’s fast bowlers in the powerplay, said he was pleased with his knock — a maiden ODI fifty — but was aware that it did not help the team’s cause.</p>.<p>“I failed in the last three matches but today (Thursday) I could do something. I will try to work on my lackings.</p>.<p>“If the team does not win, this innings becomes worthless but it feels good if I can contribute for the team,” said Tanzid.</p>