Thursday, February 8, 2018

Mirpur Turns Hostile: A Test of Patience and Composure


 
After the International Cricket Council (ICC) deemed the Chittagong pitch “below average” for yielding 1533 runs at the cost of just 24 wickets, Mirpur was expected to restore balance to the battle between bat and ball. The curator, perhaps mindful of the criticism, prepared a surface that offered turn from the first hour of play—a rare but welcome sight in modern Test cricket. By stumps, it was evident that this wicket had delivered a riveting day of cricket, where the ball held the upper hand without completely extinguishing the batsmen's hopes. 

For stand-in captain Mahmudullah Riyad, losing the toss might have been a blessing in disguise. His bowlers, led by the returning Abdur Razzak, exploited the conditions skillfully to bundle out Sri Lanka for 222—a score that was competitive on this treacherous surface but far from insurmountable. 

A Test of Technique: Sri Lanka’s Survival Act

Sri Lanka’s innings was a tale of two halves. At 116 for 6, they were teetering on the edge of disaster. Yet, Roshen Silva and Dilruwan Perera demonstrated the virtues of patience and technique, stitching together a partnership that steadied the ship. Unlike the earlier batsmen, who fell prey to loose strokes or misjudged turns, Silva and Perera chose caution over aggression. 

CricViz revealed their methodical approach: *“Since the fall of the sixth wicket, the pair of Roshen Silva and Dilruwan Perera have batted off the front foot to 66.6% of the deliveries they faced, compared to 56.9% earlier. The defensive shot percentage rose to 32.6% from 20.7%.”* 

Their partnership underscored a key lesson on this surface—survival required adaptability. As the pitch began to offer extravagant turn, it demanded composure and the ability to resist the temptation of flashy strokes. 

Earlier, Kusal Mendis had exploited the initial conditions, cashing in on the shorter deliveries from Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Razzak. CricViz noted his contrasting approach: *“Mendis camped more on the back foot (42%) compared to Silva (22%) and played defensive shots off just 18% of the deliveries to Silva’s 27%.”* While Mendis reaped early rewards, Silva’s and Perera’s innings demonstrated the discipline needed as the track began to bite. 

Bangladesh's Collapse: A Lesson in Panic and Poor Technique

Bangladesh’s response with the bat was nothing short of a calamity. The batsmen, fresh off a run-fest in Chittagong, seemed ill-prepared for the challenges of a wicket demanding restraint. Tamim Iqbal set the tone—unfortunately, for all the wrong reasons. His authoritative drive off the second ball of the innings was a statement of intent, but his dismissal on the very next delivery exposed his inability to adjust. Suranga Lakmal’s good-length ball demanded respect, but Tamim’s half-hearted forward push resulted in a simple return catch. It was not a wicket-taking delivery, but it claimed a wicket nonetheless. 

The chaos continued. Mominul Haque, scorer of twin centuries in the previous Test, committed an inexplicable error, running himself out with his bat in the air—a mistake more befitting a novice than a seasoned top-order batsman. ESPNcricinfo’s commentary aptly described it as “atrociously shoddy.”

Mushfiqur Rahim, Bangladesh’s most reliable batsman, appeared a shadow of himself. Struggling to judge the length and movement of Lakmal’s deliveries, he shouldered arms to a ball that jagged back to rattle his stumps. Once again, it was not a delivery of extraordinary quality; it was a moment of indecision that cost Bangladesh dearly. 

Imrul Kayes compounded the misery by misjudging a delivery from Dilruwan Perera, playing for turn that wasn’t there. His decision to waste a review on an obvious lbw only added to the frustration. 

A Crisis of Composure

Bangladesh’s collapse was less about Sri Lanka’s brilliance and more about their own inability to handle pressure. In the days of Chandika Hathurusingha, the Tigers had developed a reputation for resilience. They had learned to claw their way out of difficult situations and embrace the pressure of big moments. That character, however, seems to have faded. 

The recent failures in the Tri-series final and the struggles on a flat Chittagong pitch hinted at deeper issues, but Mirpur laid them bare. The loss of one or two quick wickets was enough to send the entire batting lineup into disarray. Sri Lanka’s bowlers bowled smartly, but they did not produce unplayable deliveries. Bangladesh’s batsmen simply lacked the mental fortitude to weather the storm. 

The Way Forward

This match serves as a stark reminder of the importance of adaptability in Test cricket. Tracks like Mirpur demand more than just technical skill; they test a batsman’s temperament and ability to think on their feet. While Sri Lanka’s Silva and Perera showed how to survive and thrive on such a wicket, Bangladesh’s batsmen succumbed to panic and poor decision-making. 

If Bangladesh are to regain their fighting spirit, they must address these psychological frailties. It is not enough to thrive on flat pitches; they must learn to embrace the challenge of difficult conditions. For now, the Mirpur track stands as a cruel teacher, exposing the flaws of a team that has forgotten how to fight. 

Thank You
Faisal Caesar 

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