What’s Next for Bangladesh? A Soul-Searching Inquiry into Test Cricket Woes

The question "What’s next for Bangladesh?" resurfaces with haunting regularity after every shambolic Test series. It is a query that has become a constant refrain for ardent followers of Bangladesh cricket, a refrain that echoes louder with each defeat. This sense of despair has taken root once more, following the team’s disastrous two-Test series in India. 

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?"

Thank You

Faisal Caesar

Pakistan’s Australian Nightmare: A Tale of Unrealized Potential

For over two decades, Pakistan’s tours to Australia have been a recurring tale of despair. The Men in Green arrive with faint hopes, only to endure humiliation and leave without addressing the glaring gaps in their performances Down Under. The script seldom changes: moments of individual brilliance overshadowed by collective failure, leaving fans frustrated and resigned to the inevitability of defeat.

The pattern repeated at Brisbane, where Pakistan once again faltered, raising the perennial question: when will this vicious cycle end?

Revisiting 1999: The Last Great Hope

The last time Pakistan posed a credible threat to Australia at the Gabba was in 1999 when Wasim Akram led a formidable side against Steve Waugh’s men. With revenge for the World Cup Final at Lord’s in mind, Pakistan began promisingly. But as soon as Australia took the crease, the likes of Wasim, Shoaib Akhtar, Abdul Razzaq, Azhar Mahmood, and Mushtaq Ahmed were reduced to spectators in a masterclass of Australian dominance. That crushing defeat set the tone for what has since been a string of demoralizing failures. Pakistan remains winless in Tests at Brisbane.

The Curse of Unpredictability

Pakistan’s cricketing identity has long been tied to unpredictability—a trait romanticized by fans but detrimental to sustained success. Gritty starts often dissolve into inexplicable collapses, a pattern evident in Brisbane. Azhar Ali and Shan Masood laid a solid foundation, displaying commendable patience against the extra bounce of Australian pitches. Yet, their efforts were squandered by a middle-order unwilling—or unable—to adapt. Instead of leaving deliveries and occupying the crease, batsmen succumbed to ill-advised strokes, poking at balls that should have been ignored. Such technical lapses have been Pakistan’s Achilles’ heel on bouncy tracks.

A Day 1 Collapse: The Beginning of the End

The first innings capitulation was swift and brutal, extinguishing hopes on the opening day itself. While Yasir Shah managed a personal milestone by dismissing Steve Smith—his seventh victim in Tests—the feat was inconsequential in the broader narrative. Australia’s batsmen, led by David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne, dismantled Pakistan’s bowling attack with ruthless efficiency. By the time Pakistan began their second innings, the match had devolved into a desperate attempt to avoid an innings defeat—a goal they fell short of by just five runs.

Flickers of Brilliance Amidst the Gloom

Day 4 offered fleeting moments of resistance. Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan showcased their talent, crafting innings that briefly lifted the spirits of fans. Babar’s elegant strokeplay and Rizwan’s gritty determination were reminders of what Pakistan could achieve with greater consistency. Yet, these individual efforts were mere consolations in a match where the team’s collective shortcomings were laid bare.

The Adelaide Challenge: Navigating the Pink Ball

The second Test at Adelaide looms, and with it, the daunting prospect of facing Australia under lights with the pink ball. The twilight hours at Adelaide are notoriously challenging, amplifying the threat posed by Australia’s formidable pace attack. For Pakistan’s batsmen, whose techniques have already been found wanting, this represents an uphill battle.

However, Pakistan can at least address their selection missteps. The omission of Mohammad Abbas at Brisbane was perplexing. Abbas, who has been Pakistan’s most reliable seamer in recent years, might have rediscovered his rhythm in the challenging conditions of the Gabba. His ability to exploit seam movement and his disciplined line and length make him an asset, particularly with the pink ball in Adelaide. Tite’s gamble at Brisbane must not be repeated; Abbas deserves another chance to reclaim his form and confidence.

Breaking the Cycle

Pakistan’s struggles in Australia are not just a matter of skill but of mindset. The team must shed its reliance on fleeting brilliance and embrace the discipline required to succeed in challenging conditions. Technical adaptability, mental resilience, and strategic clarity are non-negotiable if Pakistan hopes to reverse their fortunes Down Under.

The Adelaide Test offers an opportunity—not just to salvage pride, but to lay the groundwork for a more competitive future. Whether Pakistan can seize it remains to be seen.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar