DHAKA, Oct 12, 2025 (BSS)—Bangladesh spin bowling coach Mushtaq Ahmed believes the batters’ tendency to play the bowlers reputation was the reason behind his side’s crushing 81-run defeat to Afghanistan in the second game.

The defeat ensured Bangladesh ODI series loss to Afghanistan for the third time in a row.

Mushtaq more specifically singled out Rashid who tormented Bangladesh in both of the ODIs. He followed his four wickets in the opening game with a 5-17 in the second match to script his side’s facile victory over Bangladesh.

According to Mushtaq, Bangladesh batters couldn’t play to the merit of the ball, rather they gave Rashid more importance. 

"I think they are playing Rashid, not the ball,” a dejected Mushtaq said after the second game. “He (Rashid) 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.”

With the defeat, Bangladesh now lost 10 out of last 11 ODIs, a format which was always dubbed as their strongest suit. 

Mushtaq said the batters need to improve their temperament quickly if they want to arrest the slide.

"If you have great temperament you can play against any bowler in international cricket,” he said. “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.”

He also suggested taking singles against spinners in the middle overs in a bid to keep the scoreboard ticking.

“Quick singles slowly apply the pressure back on to the opponent,” he said, adding that rotating strike is key in the middle overs, a phase when Rashid made carnage in both ODIs.

"You must have a better technique against spinners in middle overs, how to get singles on good balls. If you can rotate strike, I think that will put more pressure on bowlers than yourself," said Mushtaq.

Bangladesh will take on Afghanistan in the third game on Tuesday to avoid an ignominious series whitewash.