Zimbabwe will tour Bangladesh on January 2016 when the
visitors are supposed to play a three-match Test series, five-match ODI series
and three Twenty20 internationals. But the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is in
discussion with Zimbabwe Cricket to omit one Test from the bilateral series.
Bangladesh ended the year 2014 on a high by completely
outclassing one of their favorite oppositions Zimbabwe in Tests and ODIs, also
the series which aided the Tigers to get back on the winning track. Bangladesh
had a nightmarish journey in the major part of 2014 and it was that series
against Zimbabwe which restored Bangladesh’s lost confidence, and still that
resultant self-belief has not ebbed away, it is getting stronger day by day.
BCB cricket operations committee’s chairman Naimur Rahman
told reporters on August 24, 2015 that the proposal to scrap the Test was made
by keeping in mind the preparations for the Asia Cup T20 and World T20
following the series against Zimbabwe.
“We are still in talks with Zimbabwe. We have proposed to
reduce one Test. They said they will let us know after discussing among
themselves. We have to consider the cricketers' rest and recovery, at the same
time we are committed to playing ODIs and T20s after the Tests. So we have to
prepare accordingly. That's why we are reducing the number of Tests so that we
can prepare for T20s."
Naimur Rahman said that the BCB is still waiting for the
decision of Zimbabwe Cricket regarding the decision.
The importance of Test cricket to
Bangladesh
Faring well in Test cricket is the ultimate accolade. The
Sri Lankans became one of the top teams of the world only when they started to
fare well in Test matches; despite their overwhelming success in limited-overs
cricket during the mid 90s, critics rated them as just mere entertainers.
The fantastic victory against England at the Oval in 1998
made everyone believe that the Lankans are one of the top teams in the
cricketing globe. Even after lifting the World Cup in 1996, the Lankan skipper
Arjuna Ranatunga strongly stated that his main priority is to make Sri Lanka a
better Test team. Sri Lanka never gave Test cricket less importance and such a
school of thought paid them rich dividends.
So far, Bangladesh’s love for Test cricket has always been
scanty. They were mad about gaining the Test status 15 years back, but when the
matter of exhibiting a passion for Test cricket came, the fans, media, local
commentators, cricket pundits and hierarchy have always been short-sighted and
more often devalued the traditional format of the game.
They always loved improving in that sector which has already
been more comfortable for them – Bangladesh's success in limited-overs cricket
and poor results in Test cricket says it all.
Rain stealing Bangladesh’s chances to
realise their Test worth
Such a proposal from BCB has been quite unexpected. It is
quite saddening to see that the hierarchy of Bangladesh cricket still has not
realized the importance of playing Test cricket. To stamp an authority on world
cricket, Bangladesh need to fare well in five-day matches. Striking gold only
in the limited-over versions, especially in Twenty20 cricket, can never be the
ultimate goal for the Tigers.
They will trigger short-term euphorias, but they will melt
like an ice sculpture in the Sahara desert if the performance in Test cricket
is not sound.
Bangladesh were deprived of playing Test matches against
teams like India and South Africa due to the intervention of inclement weather
and it had deprived them from realizing their true worth in five-day matches.
Surely, playing full matches against India and South Africa would have been
extremely beneficial for Bangladesh.
Even if the memories of the first Test against Pakistan at
Khulna are sweet, but those memories turned into a nightmare in Mirpur where
Bangladesh’s meek surrender indicated how badly the Tigers need to play Test
matches more and more.
The problems and the possible
solution
Naimur Rahman did insist that Test cricket remains the most
important for Bangladesh as he said, “Because Tests are important, we are using
tournaments like BCL and NCL to prepare players for the longer version.”
Yes, longer version matches in domestic cricket do help in
preparing for playing Test cricket, but how can one know how good they are if
they don’t play enough Test matches? Then Naimur cited the fitness of some of
Bangladesh’s front line pacers and the impact of the busy schedule which might
hamper the fitness of the cricketers.
Well, if fitness and a hectic schedule are the issues, then
why not surface young bloods; and against Zimbabwe it would be a great
opportunity to try and test the promising players. There are quite a few good
performers in the domestic circuit who are qualified enough to claim a place in
the Test team.
Bangladesh still don’t have many friends in world cricket
and their opportunities are quite less in quantity than the likes of England,
South Africa or Australia. They play lesser amount of Tests than the big guns
and for which, whatever opportunities come, they must take them emphatically.
Note: This article has been published in Sportskeeda on
25/08/2015 BCB's proposal to cut a Test against Zimbabwe is unacceptable
Thank You
Thank You
Faisal Caesar
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