A much better prepared Sri Lanka would take on a bruised and battered Bangladesh team on tour for a very important two matches test series next month.
Bangladesh after achieving historic first ODI series win 2-1 against a full-strength South Africa got humiliated badly in two matches test series that followed. The home team was depleted playing its second string as 8 of their first-choice team were released for playing in IPL 2022.
Bangladesh not only lost the test by huge margins but also were embarrassed getting bundled out for 53 and 80 in the second innings failing to deal with twin spin attack of Maharaj and Harmer. Now on a different environment on different surface Bangladesh must bounce back forgetting the South African disaster as nightmare.
In professional ambience post mortem of performance is well-practiced process for learning lessons. Any other cricket body would report from Manager, Head Coach and Captain to objectively assess the diabolic performance of Bangladesh team. That could give clues for BCB to work out areas of improvement. It is very sad that after two decades Bangladesh in test cricket struggles against quality pace on bouncy wicket, average spinners on tuning tracks. If the present state continues like this test win would come once in a blue moon. Teams can have ups and downs, but other teams Australia, India, South Africa, New Zealand have process in place to regroup and recover. Teams like Pakistan and Sri Lanka have established process as well. Generation of good cricketers come and go. New generation takes over when established stalwarts fade out. Bangladesh could not establish cricket culture as yet. If business as usual continues we apprehend the fate of Bangladesh test cricket may reduce to the state of Zimbabwe. Afghanistan and Ireland may grow stronger than Bangladesh soon.
The upcoming home series against Sri Lanka may be an acid test. The team needs mentoring for ironing out mental scar.
We are not sure whether Shakib Al Hasan would be available or not. If he is no longer interested for playing test cricket let him formally announce. Bangladesh can plan accordingly. Injured Taskin and Shoriful may also not be available. Bangladesh may need to be contending with Khaled and Ebadat for the red cherry. If Saifuddin is fit again he should be the third seam option. Preparing spinning track may be suicidal against Sri Lanka that not only possesses quality spinners, they also have good players against spin. Would suggest preparing pace friendly sporting wickets. We have noticed significant improvement of pace bowling of Bangladesh bowlers.
We are sure Tamim and Joy are good enough for shouldering the responsibility of opening the innings. Someone of coaching staff should mentor rookie Joy. Getting pair happened to many great players of the past. He has temperament of a genuine test batsman. Would also suggest giving Anamul Huq Bijoy another opportunity recognizing his prolific form in domestic cricket. Nazmul Shanto is gradually maturing Mominul and Mishfique were inconsistent in South Africa. Inclusion of Naimul Islam in the squad would give option. Test team needs experience . We are sure Mominul and Mushfique are too good not bouncing back soon. Litton is the most improved batsman in the recent time .So is Mehedy Miraj, Yasir Ali will mature soon. Hope Siddons has assessed the flaws in technique of Bangladeshi batsman. BCB think tank must have a talk with coaching staff when all return from leave.
A word or two about Mominul’s captaincy. Chosing him as captain was not a great decision. An introvert person can not achieve success in leading a perennial underdog team. The best option could be Shakib. But an unwilling horse must not be lead towards a water tank to drink. Mushfique would not agree to take over. Tamim should better concentrate on his ODI mission and his own batting. The potential leader can be Mehedi Miraj. But Mominul should not be axed straight away. It may impact on his batting . He is still one of the main stays of Bangladesh batting. If his performance does not improve then BCB may look into the future. Miraj, Litton and Shanto are options. Team think tank must not dictate captain too much as is the case always.
As far as bowling department Khaled, Ebadat and Saifuddin should handle the red cherry. Miraj and Taijul should take care of the spinning department. If Shakib is available Bangladesh can afford going with one less pacer.
The lesson Bangladesh should learn is that teams must have positive mindset. Test teams must have 5 regular bowlers. 8 batsmen are way too defensive. If 7 batsmen and an all-rounder cannot deliver 8 cannot.
Sri Lanka has announced a preliminary squad. We are sure close to the start of the series final squad would be announced.
Sri Lanka Preliminary Squad:
Dimuth Karunaratne (captain), Oshada Fernando, Pathum Nissanka, Dhananjaya de Silva (co-captain), Angelo Mathews, Kamil Mishra, Kusal Mendis, Roshan Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Dinesh Chandimal, Ramish Karunas, Ramisha, Dilshan Madushanka, Shiran Fernando, Mohamed Shiraz, Praveen Jayawickrama, Lasith Embuldeniya, Jeffrey Venderse, Lakshitha Munasinghe and Suminda Lakshan.
The balanced squad has enough talent to test Bangladesh. But in over all analysis would rate Bangladesh favourites on home condition. Once we get final squad would preview the series.
BDST: 1204 HRS, APR 19, 2022
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