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Bangladesh head coach Mohammad Salahuddin apologised to the nation after the Tigers suffered a 63-run defeat to Sri Lanka in the Asian Games bronze-medal playoff in Nisshin, Japan, on Saturday.
Sri Lanka, fielding a second-string side, posted 165 for nine in 20 overs.
In reply, Bangladesh were bowled out for just 102 in 17.3 overs, finishing fourth in the competition.
“We are deeply ashamed. As a coach, I feel that we have failed and could not deliver what was expected of us. It is very disappointing, and I want to apologise to the entire nation,” Salahuddin said after the match.
Bangladesh had travelled to the Asian Games with a full-strength squad and the ambition of winning a medal. However, they lost to Pakistan in the semifinal before suffering another defeat against Sri Lanka in the bronze-medal match.
Salahuddin admitted that the team failed to perform as a unit and could not execute its game plan properly. He said the bowlers struggled to bowl in the required areas, while the batting side lost several wickets during the powerplay.
The coach also defended the players, saying they had tried their best despite failing to meet expectations.
Bangladesh had previously won gold at the 2010 Asian Games and bronze in the last two editions. The latest campaign ended without a medal.
