Bangladesh West Indies Test Match at Kingston, Jamaica
West Indies 354 ( C Braiathwaite 110, SO Hetmeyer 86 , Mehedy Miraj 5/93 , A Jayed 3/38) and !29 ( RL Chase 32 , Shakib al Hasan 6/33, Miraj 2/45) Beat Bangladesh 149 ( Tamim Iqbal 47 , Shakib 32 , Holder 5/44 ) and 168 ( Shakib 54 , Liton 33 and Mushfique 31, Holder 6/59) by 166 runs.
West Indies won the series 2-0
This West Indian team is not in the elite club of test cricket now. Yet they swept away brain blocked Bangladesh Cricket team to a 2-0 brown wash in two consecutive tests lasting only three days in each. After creating Tsunami for Bengal tigers in Antigua destabilizing them by an innings and 215 runs West Indies won the second test by 166. Had not Holder choose to bat again instead of enforcing following on the test could be over on day two.
It is unconceivable that a team playing international cricket for so many years could not bat even 50 overs in any of the four innings of two tests. We must not mention about 18.3 overs 43 runs routing in the first innings of the first test. In Jamaica Bangladesh bowled admirably well in both Innings. West Indies was restricted to 354 all out in the first innings after them reaching 295/4 at stumps of day one. Miraj ( 5/93) and Jayed ( 3/38) bowled exceeding well.
Bangladesh again batted poorly in response scoring only 149 all out in the first innings. Five of their batsmen Mominul, Mahmudullah , Nurul Hasan , Kamrul Rabbi and Jayed scoring ducks . Tamim (42), Shakib (32) and Mushfique (24) showed some flashes but failed to apply . Holder got 6/44. Captain kept on improving his bowling innings after innings. Bangladesh could bat only 45.1 overs. All the batsmen showed flawed techniques against moving ball at pace. None had any application or resolve. Holder for reasons best known to him opted to carry on batting. Many thought it was not possible for awe stricken Bangladesh save innings defeat.
The wicket was turning and gripping. Shakib was in his elements. The brightest period of Bangladesh was on the third morning when Shakib (6/33), Miraj ( 2/45 ) restricted West Indies second innings to 129. Still West Indies got 334 runs lead which in present state of Bangladesh cricket appeared well beyond Bangladesh reach.
Bangladesh should have played for pride. Test cricket is all about patience, concentration and application. But Bangladeshi batsmen lack all. There was no venom in the wicket. Gabriel or Holder was not bowling unplayable deliveries. Tamim scored another duck. Liton scored 33 but did not look like playing a test innings. Mominul and Mahmudullah failed yet again. Shakib applied and so did Mushfique for a while.
Shakib’s 54 and Mushfique’s 31 could facilitate Bangladesh reaching their highest score 168 all out in the series. Bangladesh lost by 166 runs. Got white washed. The target for Bangladesh in the second innings was 335. There was all the time available to grind graft and try to reach as quickly as possible. But Bangladesh had no clue to excellent bowling of Holder taking 6/59. Again four Bangladeshi batsmen failed to open an account.
What a tragedy for Bangladesh cricket. In recent times Bangladesh got white washed in test series in New Zealand, South Africa and West Indies. Played one and lost one in India. We think Bangladesh will not have any different fate if they go to England. Australia is not interested to host Bangladesh. The team in present state can not win test against Sri Lanka and Pakistan away from home. So should they play only against Zimabawe , Afghanistan and Ireland . Even they may be formidable opponents now.
I personally did not like many excesses of Chadrika Hatur Singhe. But one of his comments I appreciate. “This Bangladesh Team achieved what was achievable. They can not achieve more.”
The T20 white wash against Rookie Afghanistan and now test white wash against lower rated West Indies creates credibility question. I am not sure what even Mash inspired Team tigers would do it ODI series.
Bangladesh needs extensive soul searching. I have seen the same panic in Bangladesh team which I used to observe in Bangladesh cricket in early days of Bangladesh in international cricket.
The amateurish attitude of BCB can not rescue Bangladesh cricket from tight corner. Wicket, conditions are no excuse. Professional cricketers have to per form everywhere in all condition. Some thing is very wrong with our psyche. If we can not address our loop holes Bangladesh cricket will soon dive deep in the black hole.
Persons Like Syed Ashraful Huq, Tanveer Mazhar , Yususf Rahman Babu , Omar Kahled Rumi, Istiaque Ahmed , Shakil Qasem must be approached . Amimunl Islam Bulbul, Fahim , Salahuddin , Waheedul Gani must be there in coaching staff . English or any other national can not nurse our cricket at the present state. Domestic cricket must be taken out from ICU and given fresh air on right formats. Good wicket, good supervision and neutral environment.
Bangladesh should have investigated why Haturasinghe left his assignment at pre matured stage? What went wrong in T20 series against Afghanistan? Now what has happened with Shakib leading the team? There is complete lack of communication and coordination. We hope Prime Minister does not need to interfere other than reconsidering her blessings to someone.
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BDST: 0921 HRS, JUL 15, 2018
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