Bangladesh skipper laments lack of disciplined batting

DHAKA, Sep 24 (Reuters) Thrilled at reaching the Super Eight stage of cricket's Twenty20 World Cup, Bangladesh skipper Mohammad Ashraful says more disciplined batting could have taken his team to the semi-finals.

''We hit our target by qualifying...but a little sensible batting could have given us another two to three victories,'' Ashraful told reporters at Dhaka airport late yesterday.

Bangladesh beat West Indies to qualify for the Super Eight stage in South Africa, but failed to win any of their subsequent matches against the South Africans, Australia, Sri Lanka or Pakistan.

''Had there been another 15 to 20 runs on the board, we could have won against South Africa and Pakistan,'' said Ashraful.

''We should have won the match against Sri Lanka too after restricting them to below 150.'' Bangladesh bowlers restricted Sri Lanka to 147, but their batsmen faltered for 83.

REUTERS BJR KN1508