BCB management have announced 16 members squad for the first of the two matches test series against Sri Lanka set to commence on 15 May 2022. The series will be played under the ICC World Test Championship 2021-23 cycle, where Sri Lanka are currently placed fifth with a point percentage of 50 percent while Bangladesh are second-last from the bottom at eighth with 16.66 percent.
Bangladesh desperately needs to win the series exploiting the home condition. For this, it was essential that the team be prepared with the best available resources. Let us review what happened?
Bangladesh squad: Mominul Haque (c), Tamim Iqbal, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Liton Das, Yasir Ali, Taijul Islam, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Ebadot Hossain, Khaled Ahmed, Nurul Hasan, Rejaur Rahman Raja, Shohidul Islam, Shoriful Islam (subject to fitness).
After the dismal and lop sided performance of Bangladesh test team in South Africa it was expected that management would reinforce the batting strength recalling some experienced batsmen performing consistently in domestic cricket. But they choose to stick to the original squad. Only Shadman was dropped and rightly so for his lean form. Shakib was in contention for playing tests in South Africa. He had to skip the series at the last minute for his family urgency. Other than that Abu Jayed Rahi, considered first choice in test not long back has also been axed without playing him in any tests in the recent past.
We are not sure what lessons Bangladesh learned from South Africa. The team looked low in spirit succumbing to protean spinners or more specifically to left arm orthodox spin of Keshav Maharaj. Was getting bundled or 53 and 80 in the second innings of two tests had no excuses. In local cricket highly experienced Anamul Haq Bijoy and Naeem Islam are in prolific form. Since the series is being played in Bangladesh why they could not be included in squad? What else they need doing to get back into the team? Mominul and Mushfique were not in great touch in South Africa. Neither Tamim looked comfortable. Joy played one exceptional innings but failed in other three innings. What happens if Bangladesh batting crumble again at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Cricket Stadium (ZACS). Moreover, all rounder Mehedy Hasan Miraj got injured.
Did BCB ask explanation from anyone of team management for disastrous performance of South African test series? Was there any post mortem?
It is over 21 years Bangladesh is in test playing elite group. It is sad that Bangladesh could not yet develop a test cricket culture. If someone asks whether the present BCB has intellectual competence for taking test cricket to a higher level , what will be the response? I am not sure the authority concerned has updated knowledge and experience of what is happening elsewhere?
The Sri Lankan team has top quality spinners and some quality batsmen. In absence of Taskin and possibly Shoriful (not yet 100% fit) and now in possible absence of Miraj Bangladesh would struggle taking 20 wickets of Sri Lanka whatever wickets are prepared. On the other hand, it is very likely that Bangladesh batsmen would struggle against quality Lankan bowling. Still, we want Bangladesh plays to its potential and prove competitive.
BDST: 1209 HRS, APR 26, 2022
SMS
