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When a team need 65 runs off 47 balls with seven wickets in hand while chasing a modest 150-run target to stay alive in a series, composure -- not urgency -- is what's required.

Bangladesh found themselves in that exact situation during the second T20I against the West Indies in Chattogram yesterday, when Jaker Ali walked out to bat at the Bir Sreshtho Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium.

What followed, however, reflected a sense of needless haste -- from a player seemingly desperate to justify his selection, and from a team management that put him in that position.

Jaker was the lone change in the playing XI, replacing Nurul Hasan Sohan, who was dropped after scoring just five in the series opener. The decision raised eyebrows, especially considering the contrasting recent form of the two batters.

While Sohan had been instrumental in Bangladesh's 3-0 T20I sweep over Afghanistan in Sharjah earlier this month -- batting at a strike rate of 148.84 across three matches -- Jaker had managed only 119 runs in nine T20I innings at a strike rate of 109.17 since the last Asia Cup. During that period, he hit just two sixes and was left out of the playing XI in the preceding ODI series in Mirpur.

"We tend to rush things. For example, Sohan was not out in all three T20 matches against Afghanistan. But after just one poor game, he was dropped. It's difficult for players to perform with that kind of instability," former Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful said, questioning the selectors' approach.

Jaker's role was to support the set batter, Tanzid Tamim, who was on 44 off 32 deliveries. Instead, Jaker managed only two runs off his first seven balls, increasing pressure on his partner. As the required rate climbed, Tamim attempted to break free and fell to Romario Shepherd after a well-made 61 off 48. In the same over, Jaker departed for an unconvincing 17 off 18 balls -- his innings marked by repeated, mistimed attempts to force shots toward the leg side.

"The balls he missed were all scoring opportunities -- either outside off or on the legs. But he targets only one area, which increases the chance of missing. He needs to vary his shot selection," Ashraful noted.

The former captain further criticised Bangladesh's overall T20 batting approach. "It seems everyone is focused only on power-hitting. When you're chasing 150, you don't need big shots from the start. They kept wickets and brought the game close, but couldn't finish it. Tamim played really well, but Jaker's dot balls created pressure," he added.

The consequence of that haste was bitter -- a 14-run defeat and a 2-0 series loss with one match remaining. The Tigers now face an uphill battle, not just to salvage pride but to reassess their approach and decision-making.