For a fleeting period under the stewardship of Chandika
Hathurusingha, Bangladesh seemed to have shaken off this recurring nightmare.
His tenure brought a semblance of structure and purpose, a belief that the
Tigers could roar in the unforgiving arena of Test cricket. Yet, his departure
marked the gradual erosion of that progress, and the haunting question has
returned with renewed vigour, fueled by the team’s abject displays in Indore and
Kolkata.
A Legacy of Missed
Opportunities
To truly grasp the depths of Bangladesh’s struggles, one
must juxtapose their current state with the trajectory of other nations.
Bangladesh’s Test journey began 19 years ago—a significant span in the modern
cricketing landscape. This period has seen Sri Lanka clinch historic victories
abroad after 15 years of Test cricket and Afghanistan secure their maiden away
win within just 18 months of entering the Test fold.
Yet, Bangladesh’s narrative remains a tale of unfulfilled
potential and squandered opportunities. Their failure to evolve from a
fledgling Test side into a formidable force, both at home and abroad, has
placed their credibility under scrutiny.
The meek surrender against India in Indore and Kolkata is a
stark reminder of this stagnation. These were not hard-fought losses but
capitulations that exposed a lack of resolve, technique, and preparation. The
first Test ended in just two and a half days, while the second, a historic
pink-ball encounter, concluded even faster. At no point did Bangladesh appear
to compete, let alone threaten to upset the formidable Indian side.
The Kolkata Experiment:
A Case of Mismanagement
The pink-ball Test at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, could have been
a momentous occasion for Bangladesh cricket—a chance to embrace innovation and
showcase their adaptability. Instead, it became a symbol of their
unpreparedness.
Critics might argue that Bangladesh lacked experience with
the pink ball, but so did their opponents. India’s initial struggles against
the moving ball, particularly under lights, were evident when Ebadot Hossain
and Al-Amin Hossain found a rhythm. Yet, the hosts adapted swiftly, while
Bangladesh floundered.
The decision to participate in this experimental fixture
without adequate preparation raises uncomfortable questions. Why did the
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) agree to such a high-stakes experiment without
ensuring their players were ready? Was it a lack of foresight, or a disregard
for the rigours of Test cricket?
The inadequacies exposed in Kolkata mirrored those from the
red-ball Test in Indore, rendering the pink-ball excuse moot. The core issue
transcends the colour of the ball—it lies in the mindset and approach of the
players.
A Crisis of
Commitment
The most glaring deficiency in Bangladesh’s Test
performances is not technical but attitudinal. The lack of patience, focus, and
intent among the batsmen is glaring. Save for Mushfiqur Rahim’s gritty
resistance, the rest of the batting lineup appeared disinterested, their
technique unravelling under pressure.
Defensive strokes were half-hearted, feet were static, and
the inclination to poke outside off stump persisted unabated. The fundamental
principles of Test batting—leaving the ball, playing straight, and building an
innings—seemed alien concepts.
This lack of application reflects a deeper malaise: a
disinterest in the longest format of the game. Test cricket demands discipline,
endurance, and a love for the grind—qualities that seem absent in the current
crop of Bangladeshi cricketers.
The BPL Distraction
Adding to the malaise is the Bangladesh Premier League
(BPL), which serves as both a distraction and an escape route. After every
humiliating Test series, the glitz and glamour of the BPL sweep the issues
under the rug. The league, while entertaining, does little to address the
structural and technical deficiencies that plague Bangladesh cricket.
The focus shifts from introspection and rebuilding to the
spectacle of T20 cricket, leaving the problems festering beneath the
surface.
What’s Next? The Need
for Strict Action
The time for excuses and half-measures has long passed.
Bangladesh cricket is at a crossroads, and decisive action is imperative.
1. Revamping Domestic
Cricket: The foundation of any successful Test side is a robust domestic
structure. The BCB must prioritize strengthening the National Cricket League
(NCL) and Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL), ensuring they provide a breeding
ground for technically sound and mentally resilient cricketers.
2. Cultivating a Test
Mindset: Players must be inculcated with the values of Test
cricket—patience, discipline, and adaptability. This requires a cultural shift,
led by coaches, senior players, and the board.
3. Specialized
Coaching: Hiring specialized coaches for red-ball cricket, focusing on
batting against pace and swing, and fostering the art of bowling long spells is
non-negotiable.
4. Accountability: Players
and administrators alike must be held accountable for poor performances.
Transparent reviews and performance-based incentives can instil a sense of
responsibility.
5. Strategic
Scheduling: Bangladesh must seek out challenging tours and matches against
top-tier opponents to test their mettle. Exposure to tough conditions will
accelerate their learning curve.
A Wake-Up Call
Bangladesh’s Test status is not an entitlement; it is a
privilege that demands respect and effort. The current approach undermines the
passion of fans who have stood by the team through decades of mediocrity. It is
an insult to the format itself, which remains the pinnacle of cricket.
The path forward is arduous, but it is not insurmountable. Bangladesh must embrace the grind, confront their shortcomings, and reignite the spirit that once made them a promising force in world cricket. Only then can the haunting question—"What’s next for Bangladesh?"—be replaced with a more hopeful one: "How far can they go?"
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