Bangladesh gained ICC full membership in 2000 played its first test against India at Bangabandhu Stadium Dhaka in November 2000. Bangladesh competed very well in the first innings setting few milestones. Bangladesh eventually lost the test for lack of experience of required for enduring longer version cricket.
In November 2019 after almost two decades in test arena Bangladesh played two tests against India at Indore and Kolkata. Bangladesh embraced innings defeat well within three days in both the matches. In 19 years since getting test status Bangladesh played 117 tests won only 13, lost 88 and managed to draw 16.
There are logical questions asked what did Bangladesh cricket learned over two decades? Is there any person in BCB who can provide valid reasons for the diabolic performance of Bangladesh team? Can any one own responsibility of the disaster and resign? The two tests in question were part of ICC World test championship. What was the preparation of Bangladesh for the test matches especially after getting humiliated by lowly rated rookie Afghanistan in the lone test In Bangladesh? Bangladesh batted like raw novice in both the test. There were no commitment, no application, no skill or determination. It was an abject surrender. Entire Bangladesh Cricket community got utterly disgraced from the hiding that Bangladesh cricket absorbed.
Sir Gordon Greenidge
Celebrated Caribbean Cricket Icon Sir Gordon Greenidge, Bangladesh head coach in 2000 thought Bangladesh was not ready at that time for playing test cricket. Yet the plea of Bangladesh strongly supported by BCCI let Bangladesh get the full membership of ICC. Bangladesh played its inaugural match against strong Indian team led by present BCCI President Shaurav Ganguly. In the very first test Aminul Islam Bulbul set a new milestone scoring 145 in the very first test Innings Bangladesh played, Habbul Bashar Sumon scored a half century, Bangladesh scored 400 runs in the very first innings they played . Not only that captain Naeemur Rahman Durjoy took 5 wickets and Bangladesh gained first innings lead. But due to lack of experience of longer version cricket Bangladesh batting fell apart in the second innings and India won the test easily at the end.
It is not that Bangladesh knew about the test schedule all on a sudden. Bangladesh had enough time to prepare irrespective of what happened from the suspension of its test and T20 captain leading all rounder Shakib Al Hasan and leading opening batsman Tamim Iqbal. Did Bangladesh convene the test squad on time? Did the squad include better performers of domestic longer version cricket? Did Bangladesh carry out any homework on their opposition at all? Why Bangladesh team could not play some longer version practice matches at home? Why BCB could not negotiate one or two practice matches in India prior to the test series? This was a must as Bangladesh had no previous exposure of playing with Pink Ball and day night cricket.
Aminul Islam Bulbul
Bangladesh cricket team can not complain about lack of facilities. They have played cricket all over the world. They have played against similar bowling attack in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. There was no reason why players like Imrul Kayes, Mominul, Mihtun failed each time. What will be response of Minhazul Abedin Nannu and his selection committee? Did they select horses for the courses? The new head coach rightly pointed that the team composition and chemistry were not ideal for playing test cricket against quality opposition. Batting first or batting second did not matter at all. Other than 4-5 players the rest did not look like international quality at all.
Bangladesh and BCB have to do extensive soul searching. We are not sure BPL would do at all good to serve Bangladesh interest at all. How Bangladesh would plan its next mission of World Test Championship?
World Cricket does not rely on few talented players for good. Australia did not collapse after Hayden, Langer, Ponting, Glichrist, Shane Warne, Magrath, Waughs retired. India became stronger after Shewag, Sachin ,Ganguly, Laxman, Sreenath retired. Why Bangladesh could not grow replacement of Mashrafee, Shakib, Tamim, Mushfique and Mahmudullah in all these years? Why players like Mominul, Mustafiz and Soumya, Sabbir could fulfill their promise till now? What lessons Bangladesh cricket learned in two decades of test cricket?
Shakib will not be available for a year. Tamim may return soon. But he was not in his element at all in CWC 2019 or later in Sri Lanka tour. Where are other options? It will be far better finding a younger unit keeping the nucleus of the team intact. This present team whether at home or abroad can not win any test against any full time member. Hope BCB finds answers to questions raised soon. Time will not wait for them.
BDST: 1345 HRS, NOV 25, 2019
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