Pakistan’s tour to Bangladesh started with a defeat in the
practice match against the Bangladesh A team in Fatullah, where they were blown
away by a tornado named Shabbir Rahman. Shabbir’s swashbuckling knock dented
Pakistan’s confidence and for a brief period, they were unable to recover from
that blow. Pakistan were Banglawashed in the three-match one-day series and
could not even manage to win the one-off Twenty20 International despite the
inclusion of players like Shahid Afridi, Ahmed Shehzad and others.
Pakistan struck hard in the first Test in Khulna and it
seemed that their first victory in this tour was a matter of time. Sadly, the
Tigers changed their roar and they scripted one of the most memorable comebacks
ever in the history of Test cricket. Bangladesh were able to escape a defeat
and manage an honorable draw.
The things that went wrong for the
hosts
Bangladesh were the favourites against Pakistan before the
start of the second Test in Mirpur. The gladiatorial effort at Khulna lifted
the confidence of the Tigers immensely and it seemed that a glorious Test series
win was around the corner. But since Mushfiqur Rahim was seduced by the dense
covering of grass on the Mirpur track, forgot W.G. Grace’s famous quote and
decided to bat first, till the end of the Test match, nothing went right for
Bangladesh.
Firstly, after losing Jubair Hossain due to an injury on the
morning of first day, Bangladesh digested another blow as on the in the second
ball of the day, pace-bowler Shahadat Hossain, who was recalled in the side as
the replacement of injured Rubel Hossain, hobbled off the field after taking a
tumble in his delivery stride. Bangladesh were a bowler down and the idea of
playing only three frontline bowlers backfired. Still, such an idea would have
been fruitful if Bangladesh’s strike bowlers didn’t struggle big time.
Shakib Al Hasan and Taijul Islam were found wanting against
an invigorated and determined Pakistani batting line-up. Pace-bowler Mohammad
Shahid bowled well, but he lacked support. Young Soumya Sarkar was used as
Shahadat’s replacement, but his gentle medium-pace didn’t bother the Pakistani
batsmen at all.
Secondly, the Bangladeshi bowlers lacked discipline while
bowling and didn’t receive enough support from the fielders as well. Azhar Ali,
batting on 18, edged Mohammad Shahid to third slip and was walking back to the
pavilion. But, replays showed that Shahid didn’t land his heel behind the
popping crease and was called back. He gave further chances off spin at 34 and
35 to Mominul Haque at silly point and short leg. However, on both the
occasions, the ball got past quickly between the fielder's legs before he could
get low enough. Azhar Ali went on to score a double hundred.
Lastly, instead of being calm and composed, Bangladesh blew
hot and cold while batting. Their positive attitude at Khulna installed belief
among critics that they won’t bog down without a fight. But sadly, the Tigers
surrendered meekly on a track which had no demons underneath. The Pakistani
bowlers were thoughtful and hostile.
It was a shoddy display of Test batting by the Bangladeshi
batters. The theory of stuffing the team
with eight batsmen didn’t pay rich dividends. Bangladesh nosedived to a 328-run
defeat as Pakistan managed a face-saving win.
Despite the defeat, Bangladesh
dominated the series
The defeat in the second Test has exposed the chinks in
Bangladesh’s armory and also, it has debunked the theory of playing eight
batsmen and three bowlers in a Test match. For teams like Bangladesh, who are
not at home in playing Test cricket, the idea of drawing a Test match rather
than losing is applied to preserve the confidence and self-belief of the team.
But in the long term such ploys don’t reap a rich harvest.
Their crushing defeat has been criticized, but just one bad
match should not make everyone forget about their dominance throughout the
tour. Bangladesh have been brilliant against Pakistan and their style of play
has endeared to many and has been refreshing to watch. One must bear in mind
that, mistakes are always the best teachers and a better student always learn
from his mistakes.
Bangladesh coach Chandika Hathurusigha is a very intelligent
person and it is expected that he will modify his strategies in the future.
Under his guidance, the Tigers have developed this habit of learning from their
mistakes. It is expected that, the boys will learn from their mistakes and work
hard to improve themselves for the upcoming tougher assignments against India,
Australia and South Africa.
Note: this article has been published in Sportskeeda on
12/05/2015 Bangladesh should learn from their mistakes
Thank You
Faisal Caesar
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