It seems from recent development that Bangladesh cricket tour of Pakistan is going to go ahead. Off course the final decision largely hinges upon government giving green signal. If it happens at all Bangladesh may go for the test series which is a part of ICC test championship. Bangladesh was insisting on playing the three matches T20 series now and play the test series at a neutral venue .But Pakistan remained adamant on not playing any bilateral series outside Pakistan. After a safe full tour of Sri Lanka in Pakistan recently and Bangladesh women and age group teams tour to Pakistan PCB had a strong point for their insistence. But the question is whether Bangladesh is ready for a very critical test series?
When we were in the school in 1960s as ardent followers of cricket were regular readers of Sports time an illustrated monthly on cricket. The most attractive of its slogan,” Keep Cricket free of politics.” But in reality cricket never remained free from politics. It was spread all over the commonwealth countries wherever English ruled. Politics dominated cricket all the way and is still dominating. Three musketeers India, England and Australia, someway or other control ICC. BCCI muscles most decisions of ICC for its superior financial capacity. If Pakistan is responsible 60% for international cricket not being played for several years in Pakistan, India and BCCI contributed at least 40% in making Pakistan isolated from international cricket. Few observers even thought whether Bangladesh hesitation to visit Pakistan was indirectly being influenced by India.
Bangladesh had a very poor 2019 in international cricket. Specially the test series against India in India was a disaster. Nothing went right for Bangladesh since CWC 2019 where Bangladesh performance was below expectation. This was followed up by a ODI series whitewash in Sri Lanka. The predicament of test series embarrassment was written well over. Bangladesh did not take any preparation at all for test series. Moreover, players revolt only days before few days of the series made matters topsy-turvy. Test and ODI captain Shakib Al Hasan’s suspension by ICC for hiding from them bookies communication for match fixing came as bolt from the blue. A hurriedly prepared Bangladesh team performed well in T20 series. But the test series turned out a “David vs Golliath” encounter. Bangladesh got absolutely swept away by Indian Tsunami.
The test series against Pakistan is in FTP. If Bangladesh does not go to Pakistan and Pakistan does not agree playing at neutral venue Bangladesh will loose points without playing. ICC may also not take it easy. Bangladesh is languishing at the bottom of the table in any case. At this moment Bangladesh does not have a settle test team. Without Shakib team balance is not there .Since the tour of India BCB has practically done nothing for regrouping the team. Hurriedly arranged very ordinary BPL2019 perhaps is not the ideal platform for preparing a test team. Bangladesh test team is in disarray. Various contradictory statements given by responsible BCB officials also did not serve the cause. On the other hand Pakistan after a very testing Australia tour performed exceedingly well at home against Sri Lanka. They now have a reasonably strong test team. Clueless Bangladesh going to Pakistan may have to experience similar bitter experience that they had against Pakistan.
At this moment it is not 100 percent confirmed whether Bangladesh tour would go ahead or not. But per the latest development if it happens at all Bangladesh will have to play Test Series. Shakib is not there and if Mushfiqur Rahim also does not go, Bangladesh will be reduced to a very ordinary team. Tamim is still feeling his way as it appeared from his batting in T20. Off the other batsmen Liton Das, Imrul Kayes and Soumya Sarkar looked OK. But one must not conclude from the form of T20 batting as their readiness for playing tests. Mahmudullah was injured for a major duration of BPL. Mominul is not an ideal player for T20. Still he batted sensibly. I do not think Mithun played at all well. BPL 2019 did not have many quality International players. Still foreign recruits dominated batting and bowling excepting Mustafiz, Mahmud Hasan Rana showing glimpses. Bangladesh does not have a bowling attack for taking 20 wickets of any team in tests on a sporting wicket at this moment. Some Pakistan batsmen like Abid Ali, Babar Azam, Azhar Ali, Asad Shafique are in terrific form. They can toy around with the lopsided Bangladesh attack.
In all aspects Bangladesh is not at all ready for the test series against Pakistan. We don’t think any excuse would be ultimately enough for BCB for not agreeing to tour Pakistan. An under-prepared Bangladesh team will be sent as Lambs for slaughter house.
BDST: 1346 HRS, JAN 11, 2020
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