Four years later, in 2009, Bangladesh achieved an
unforgettable milestone in Grenada, chasing down a target to sweep a historic
series in the West Indies. Yet, these are anomalies in a broader story of
struggles in the fourth innings, where they have consistently failed to save
matches, even on pitches designed to favour batsmen.
The Galle
Conundrum
The first Test of the 2017 series against Sri Lanka at Galle
added another chapter to this saga. While some fans might take solace in the
fact that Bangladesh took the match to the fifth day, a deeper analysis reveals
yet another missed opportunity. The pitch at Galle, historically a spinners'
paradise, surprisingly offered little menace this time—a flat deck reminiscent
of the one in 2013, where Bangladesh had scripted their first 600-plus
total.
Sri Lanka batted first, amassing 494 runs—a challenging yet
not insurmountable target. With stalwarts like Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur
Rahim, and Mahmudullah in their ranks, Bangladesh had the resources to mount a
response. Indeed, the opening partnership provided a steady start, but the
middle and lower order failed to seize the momentum, crumbling under the
pressure of the final day.
A Day of
Disappointment
The collapse began with Soumya Sarkar, whose lethargic
approach to Asela Gunaratne's gentle medium pace set the tone. His dismissal,
marked by indifference, seemed to infect the rest of the lineup. Mominul Haque
was trapped plumb in front, Shakib misread a delivery that leapt off the rough,
and Mahmudullah’s erratic footwork led to his undoing. Even the usually
reliable Mushfiqur Rahim fell victim to
poor shot selection, while Liton Das, just as he began to settle, threw his
wicket away with a needless stroke, gifting Rangana Herath another
milestone.
By lunch, the innings had disintegrated. Bangladesh had lost
their final six wickets for a meagre addition, suffering a humbling 259-run
defeat.
The Art of
Survival
Surviving in the fourth innings of a Test is not merely
about skill but also temperament, patience, and the ability to adapt to the
situation. Legendary knocks—like **Hanif Mohammad’s iconic marathon against the
West Indies**—are underpinned by a simple mantra: play straight, keep the ball
down, and focus on preserving one’s wicket.
Bangladesh’s failure lies in their inability to embrace
these fundamentals. The numbers tell a telling story: while Sri Lankan batsmen
occupied the crease for **1914 minutes** across their innings, Bangladesh could
muster just **1336 minutes**, highlighting their tendency to lose concentration
under pressure.
The T20
Influence
The modern obsession with shorter formats, particularly T20
cricket, has left an indelible mark on Bangladesh’s approach. Players like
Tamim Iqbal and Soumya Sarkar are celebrated for their stroke-filled cameos,
yet their inability—or unwillingness—to grind out innings is often overlooked.
The result is a cricketing culture that prioritizes aggression over
resilience.
Efforts to instil a Test-centric mindset are often
undermined by this culture. Coaches may preach the virtues of patience and
adaptability, but the broader cricketing ecosystem in Bangladesh glorifies
adventurous batting, even at the expense of match-saving pragmatism.
Seventeen Years and
Still Learning
After 17 years in Test cricket, the Tigers remain students
of the format. The nuances of occupation, consolidation, and adaptation
continue to elude them, with their fourth-innings struggles symbolizing this
broader learning curve.
As Bangladesh looks to the future, it is imperative to foster a mature Test culture—one that celebrates the grind as much as the glory. For only then can the Tigers truly roar, not just in flashes, but as a sustained force in the longest format of the game.
No comments:
Post a Comment