The
following day, Shakib carried that momentum into a spell of ruthless precision,
dismantling the West Indies’ middle order with clinical efficiency. His mastery
of length—flighting the ball just enough to entice and deceive—proved too much
for the hosts.
Devon Smith
was lured forward by a teasing delivery, only to be stumped, while Keemo Paul
fell prey to a similar trap. Kieran Powell, fighting to stem the collapse, was
undone by Shakib’s trademark quicker one, trapped plumb in front.
The
skipper’s six-wicket haul was a masterclass in Test match bowling, supported
ably by Abu Jayed, Taijul Islam, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz. Together, they
skittled the West Indies for 129 in their second innings, leaving Bangladesh
with a chaseable target of 335 on a pitch that, while challenging, was far from
unplayable.
Yet, what
followed was a disheartening display of ineptitude and lack of application from
Bangladesh’s batters, culminating in a humiliating defeat within three
days.
A Familiar Story: Batting Failures and Poor
Temperament
Bangladesh’s
response to the target was a stark reminder of their long-standing batting
frailties. While Shakib fought valiantly, crafting a half-century, his efforts
were solitary. The rest of the lineup folded meekly, displaying neither the
intent nor the resilience required in Test cricket.
Tamim
Iqbal’s post-match reflection was telling: “We only have ourselves to blame. Our batting
was not up to the mark. These were difficult wickets but not unplayable.
Exceptional deliveries got us out, but not enough to justify failing to cross
200 in any innings.”
The numbers
were damning. Bangladesh’s collective batting average for the series was a
paltry 12.60—their lowest ever. Not a single batsman managed a century across
four innings. The top order showed glimpses of promise but lacked the
temperament to convert starts into meaningful contributions.
Selection Missteps and Positional Confusion
The team’s
struggles were compounded by puzzling selection decisions. The choice to open
with Liton Das was baffling. A natural middle-order batsman and wicketkeeper,
Liton was thrust into an unfamiliar role, exposing his vulnerabilities against
the new ball.
Imrul
Kayes’s absence due to injury was unfortunate, but Bangladesh’s failure to
field a proper replacement highlighted a lack of depth and planning. Liton,
ideally suited for the lower middle order, was miscast, while Mushfiqur
Rahim—relieved of wicketkeeping duties to focus on his batting—was inexplicably
slotted at six instead of his preferred four or five.
Similarly,
Mahmudullah Riyad, who had previously thrived at number four, was used as a
floater. This positional uncertainty reflected a broader lack of strategy and
cohesion in Bangladesh’s approach.
The
inclusion of Nurul Hasan, despite his lack of readiness for Test cricket, was
another questionable decision. Hyped by sections of the local media, Nurul’s
sloppy wicketkeeping and ineffective batting underscored the dangers of
selecting players based on reputation rather than readiness.
The Senior Players’ Disappointing Show
The
experienced campaigners, Mahmudullah and Mominul Haque delivered dismal
performances. Scoring just 19 and 16 runs respectively across the series, their
technical fragilities were ruthlessly exposed by the West Indies pacers.
Their
failures were particularly damaging given the lack of contributions from the
younger players. In a format that demands patience and adaptability, the senior
players’ inability to lead by example left Bangladesh rudderless.
Lessons to Learn and a Path Forward
There is no
shame in losing a match, but the manner of defeat matters. Bangladesh’s lack of
fight and repeated mistakes were deeply disappointing. Test cricket rewards
persistence, discipline, and adaptability—qualities that were glaringly absent
in the Tigers’ performance.
The team
must revisit its fundamentals. Selection should prioritize readiness and
role-specific expertise rather than hype or reputation. Players like Liton Das
and Nurul Hasan need to be utilized in roles that suit their strengths. Senior
players must step up, not just with the bat but as leaders in attitude and
application.
Bangladesh
could also benefit from reconnecting with past mentors like Chandika
Hathurusingha, whose Sri Lanka team has shown resilience and fights even in
adverse conditions.
As the dust settles on this series, one thing is clear: Bangladesh has the talent to compete at the highest level, but without the right mindset and preparation, that potential will remain unrealized. The Tigers must rise from this debacle, learning not just from their mistakes but from the examples of teams that thrive under pressure. Only then can they hope to carve a place for themselves in the annals of Test cricket.
