Pakistan Bangladesh Test Series
First Test Played at Rawalpindi Stadium , Pakistan Scheduled for 7-11 February 2020
Brief Scorecard:
Pakistan 445 All Out (Babar Azam 144, Shan Masood 100, Harris Sohail 75, Asad Shafique 65, Azhar Ali 34, Abu Jayed 3/86, Rubel Hossain 3/113, Taijul Islam 2/139) beat Bangladesh 233 All Out ( Mohammad Mithun 63, Nazmul Hossain 44, Mominul Haque 30, Mahmudullah 25, Taijul Islam 24 , Shahin Shah Afridi 4/53,Harris Sohail 2/11 and Mohammad Abbas 2/19 ) and 168 All Out (MominulHaque 41, Nazmul Hossain 38, Tamim Iqbal 34 , Liton Das 29, Naseem Shah 4/26, Yasir Shah 4/58) by an Innings and 44 Runs
Player Of the Match: Naseem Shah
Only yesterday Bangladesh Under-19 made the nation proud winning the first global tournament, ICC Under-19 championship. But unfortunately, experiencing the other side of moon today, depleting Bangladesh test team suffered yet another defeat by an innings and 44 runs against Pakistan. This incidentally was Bangladesh's fifth innings defeat in six Tests. This was also their seventh innings loss in eight away Tests. Pakistan in their only innings mastered 445 all out. Bangladesh could manage 233 in the their first innings and 168 in the second. 17 years from now when Bangladesh played last test in Pakistan against a very strong team they were far more competitive. Teams usually improve with time. But this is not the case unfortunately. Bangladesh in 20 years could not develop any reliable process for developing a competitive test side.
Rawalpindi wicket was relatively flat. Still Bangladesh batted poorly in either innings looking like raw novice. Several players in both innings got start but could not kick on due to lack of test temperament. Lack of skill against fast ball and leg spin was thoroughly exposed yet again. Yes Shakib and Mushfique two senior players were not there and couple of other test regulars were missing. But what preparations Bangladesh had for the test. In slow low easy paced wickets Bangladesh batsmen in BCL scored centuries, double century and even triple centuries. But in either innings only Mithun could score lone half century. Bowling was a pass at best. Bangladesh bowlers bowled reasonably well on day three restricting Pakistan to less than 450. But with this attack Bangladesh cannot expect making any top ranked team all out twice in test match.
Bangladesh will play a full series of Test matches, ODIs and T20s against Zimbabwe. Wonder whether they can win the test series if things does not dramatically change. Off course on sub standard turning tracks BCB will try to trap the visitors. The temperament of several players appearing in the test series require scrutiny. Team management had the audacity of questioning the indispensability of Mushfique in the team following his decision to opt out from Pakistan tour. Can they really risk loosing test against Zimbabwe omitting Mushfique. Tamim seemed to have lost his best form. Saif appeared not yet ready for test. Mominul and Nazmul had start in both innings but threw away after settling down. Mithun played one good Innings but failed in the second. Mahmudullah struggled. What else in batting. Nassem Shah the teenager set the record of youngest bowler taking a hat trick. All three pacers of Pakistan looked menacing on a flat wicket. Yasir Shah teased Bangladesh in the second innings.
Bowling of Bangladesh was pretty ordinary. None could bowl consistently well. Pacers excepting Jayed bowled too full or too short. Pressure of bowling in bulk was on Taijul.
What will be options left for Bangladesh when they go to play the second test in Pakistan in April? Will they make drastic changes to the team? Mushfique and Shakib will still not be available. Hope Tamim gets into his full stride. Kayes and Shadman may get fit again. What about middle order. Can Akbar Ali be considered? Mosaddeq can be a choice. Hope Mushfique recovers his lost form and Taskin is fit again.
BCB must find out an answer. Bangladesh players perform so well in age group. Why they loss focus when playing for national team? Several young players like Mustafiz, Mehedy Miraj and Taskin could not yet full fill their promise. The domestic longer version gets very unfair treatment. Surfaces are poor. Pace bowlers do not find challenge to bowl. Bangladesh batsman can not play against quality pacers on lively wicket. There is no quality leg spinner in domestic cricket. BCB cares more about BPL time disco cricket. Bangladesh continues to sink in test cricket.
BDST: 1720 HRS, FEB 10, 2020
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