Shakib Al Hasan’s second stint as Bangladesh’s Test captain has started with an uncanny knack for winning tosses. Twice in as many matches, Lady Luck has smiled upon him, granting him the early advantage that any captain craves. Yet, as the dust settles on these matches, the victories at the toss have done little to alter the grim narrative of Bangladesh’s struggles in the longer format.
When Shakib opted to bat first on a green-tinged surface in
Antigua, it seemed a bold and commendable decision. It signalled intent—a
declaration that the Tigers were unafraid to confront the challenge posed by a
lively pitch. But boldness without execution is merely bravado, and the story
that unfolded was anything but heroic.
Bangladesh’s innings unravelled in a single hour, a hapless
procession of batsmen succumbing to the West Indian pacers’ relentless assault.
The scoreboard read a dismal 43 all out—a statistic that will linger as a scar
in the annals of Bangladesh cricket. The visitors needed only to weather the
first two hours of the session, as the track’s initial life was destined to
fade under the Caribbean sun. Instead, the team’s lack of discipline and
temperament—symptoms of an overdose of shorter-format cricket—sealed their fate
before the game had truly begun.
The Antigua debacle seemed to cast a long shadow over the
second Test in Jamaica. Once again, Shakib won the toss, but this time he chose
to bowl first—a decision as puzzling as it was timid. On a surface with a
grassy tinge and underlying hardness, the opportunity to bat first and dictate
terms was spurned. Instead, Bangladesh fielded a bowling attack comprising just
one pacer and three spinners, a combination ill-suited to exploit the morning
conditions. The spectre of Antigua’s ‘43’ appeared to haunt the team,
influencing decisions and undermining confidence.
As the day unfolded, the Jamaican pitch behaved predictably.
The initial grass-induced movement gave way to a harder surface that promised
cracks and turn for spinners as the match progressed. By opting to bowl,
Bangladesh not only missed the chance to seize the initiative but also invited
the prospect of facing a deteriorating pitch in the fourth innings.
The bowlers, including Shakib, struggled to find rhythm or
precision. Erratic lengths—too short to trouble and too leg-sided to
threaten—allowed the West Indian batsmen to settle in. Kraigg Brathwaite, the
epitome of discipline and grit, capitalized on their mediocrity, grinding his
way to a determined century. Bangladesh’s woes were compounded by a missed
review when Brathwaite was on 98—a moment emblematic of the team’s lack of sharpness
in the field.
As the day wore on, Shimron Hetmyer injected flair into the West Indian innings, punishing Bangladesh’s bowlers for their lack of consistency. The Tigers, once known for their fearless bowling under the guidance of Heath Streak and Chandika Hathurusingha, now appeared toothless and tentative. The contrast was stark and painful—a reminder of how far the team has drifted from its days of defiance.
At the heart of this decline lies a troubling pattern: a
captain plagued by self-doubt. Shakib, a cricketer of immense talent and
cricketing acumen seemed uncertain and disconnected. His body language betrayed
frustration, and his decisions lacked conviction. A captain’s mindset often
sets the tone for the team, and when that mindset is clouded, the collective
performance invariably suffers.
Looking ahead to Day 2, the mission is clear yet daunting:
restrict the West Indies to under 400 runs. But achieving this will require
more than just tactical adjustments. It demands a shift in attitude—a rediscovery
of the courage and clarity that once defined this team. Without it, the Tigers
risk enduring another day of regret under the sweltering Jamaican sun.
Bangladesh cricket finds itself at a crossroads. The toss may have been won, but the battle for identity and resilience remains an uphill climb. For Shakib and his men, the time for hesitation has passed. It’s time to channel the fearlessness of old and remind the cricketing world that the Tigers are not to be tamed.
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