Mashrafe seeks bowling improvements after Pakistan loss

Mashrafe's men slumped to a 55-run defeat in their World T20 Super 10 opener at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Wednesday.

A 64 from??Mohammad Hafeez and Shahid Afridi's 49 helped Pakistan to 201-5, with Bangladesh only able to muster 146-6 in response despite an unbeaten 50 from Shakib Al Hasan.

Next for Bangladesh is Australia in Bangalore, and Mashrafe - who hopes to have seamer Mustafizur Rahman back from a side strain - knows the bowlers will need to up their game.

Mashrafe said: "Two hundred??is always difficult with Pakistan's bowling attack. And after six overs it was almost impossible.??Shakib batted very well and we got 150, so it is not that bad.

"We have to bowl better, we didn't bowl well. First six overs we couldn't get much runs with the bat either. You can't practice much, you have to be mentally strong.

"With Australia's batting, it will be hard and the??Bangalore wicket is flat. The bowling group must bring better plans. Mustafiz is getting better, hopefully he'll be back."