A Morning of Mayhem: Bangladesh's Collapse and Mustafizur's Resolve

The second morning of the second Test was nothing short of a nightmare for Bangladesh, evoking memories of their early Test-playing days. A team that has steadily improved since 2015 suddenly appeared to regress, resembling a novice side overwhelmed by the occasion. Five wickets fell for just three runs—a catastrophic collapse reminiscent of a bygone era when such implosions were almost routine. In today’s context, however, such a debacle is difficult to digest, given the strides Bangladesh has made in the longer format of the game. 

Childish Dismissals and a Shattered Top Order 

The dismissals were not the result of unplayable deliveries but rather a series of schoolboy errors. Liton Das, expected to anchor the innings, played a loose shot away from his body with no discernible footwork, dragging a Suranga Lakmal delivery onto his stumps. Mahmudullah Riyad, the stand-in captain, was undone by a peach from Akila Dananjaya, but Sabbir Rahman followed with an ill-advised stroke that sent him back without troubling the scorers. The tail offered little resistance, leaving Mehidy Hasan Miraz stranded and stunned at the other end. 

Sri Lanka’s lead, already significant, grew into a towering advantage, with every additional run piling pressure on the beleaguered hosts. A deficit of over 100 runs on such a tricky surface is daunting, but what compounded the misery was the lack of fight. 

A Team Without a Backbone 

This Bangladesh side lacks the resilience that once defined them under the stewardship of Chandika Hathurusingha. Back then, the Tigers were known for their tenacity and their ability to claw back from impossible situations. Today, they resemble an ice sculpture in the desert—melting under the relentless heat of pressure. 

The pitch, offering sharp turn and variable bounce from the good-length area, was tailor-made for Bangladesh’s spinners to exploit. Yet, neither Taijul Islam nor Abdur Razzak could rise to the occasion. Taijul, who impressed on Day 1 with fuller lengths, inexplicably reverted to bowling shorter and wider, leaking runs in the process. Razzak, on the other hand, struggled with his line, frequently drifting to the leg side—a cardinal sin on a turning track. 

Negative Tactics and Sri Lanka’s Resurgence 

Instead of attacking, the spinners adopted a containment strategy, a defensive approach that proved both futile and counterproductive. Their lack of aggression allowed Sri Lanka’s batsmen, particularly Roshen Silva, to settle in and capitalize. Silva’s wagon wheel revealed the extent of Bangladesh’s wayward bowling, with runs flowing freely through backward point, cover, long-off, and fine leg. 

Mehidy Hasan Miraz toiled valiantly at one end, probing and testing the batsmen, but he was let down by the lack of support from the other bowlers. The collective energy of the team visibly sagged, shoulders drooping as Sri Lanka’s lead continued to grow. 

Mustafizur Rahman: A Beacon of Hope 

Amid the gloom, one man stood tall—Mustafizur Rahman. The left-arm pacer was a shining example of how to bowl with intent and precision, even on a surface favouring spinners. 

In the 56th over, Mustafizur was handed the ball for a short burst, and he delivered spectacularly. Operating from around the wicket, he pitched a delivery on a good length that moved away just enough to induce an edge from Dilruwan Perera, caught by Liton Das. The very next ball, he tempted Akila Dananjaya into a similar mistake, with Liton completing another sharp catch. A hat-trick was on the cards, but Lakmal managed to survive. 

Mustafizur’s spell was a masterclass in controlled aggression. Mixing his trademark cutters with conventional deliveries, he consistently hit the good and back-of-a-length areas, extracting movement and unsettling the batsmen. His ability to generate contrast swing at pace added another layer of complexity to the Sri Lankan lineup. 

Even earlier in the innings, Mustafizur had been Bangladesh’s most effective bowler. His relentless focus on attacking the top of the off-stump set him apart from his colleagues, who often strayed into defensive lines. His positive intent throughout the day was a lesson for his teammates, highlighting the importance of belief and purpose in the face of adversity. 

 The Road Ahead 

While Sri Lanka’s lead looms large and Bangladesh’s batting frailties have been laid bare, Mustafizur’s performance offers a glimmer of hope. His fiery spell serves as a reminder that resilience and intent can turn the tide, even in dire circumstances. For Bangladesh to salvage something from this Test, they must channel the fighting spirit that once defined them and take a leaf out of Mustafizur’s book. Only then can they hope to rewrite the narrative of this forgettable morning. 

Thank You

Faisal Caesar 

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 

Tale of Two Spinners in Mirpur: The Return of Abdur Razzak But Taijul Islam Was More Impressive

The eve of the second Test saw the cricketing fraternity of Bangladesh abuzz with the surprising inclusion of Abdur Razzak. Once a stalwart in Bangladesh’s limited-overs setup, Razzak’s Test career had been far from stellar. Averaging 67 with only 22 wickets in 12 Tests, his performances in the longer format had failed to justify his potential. Over time, his inconsistency led to his omission, and his name slowly faded from national contention.

But Razzak never gave up. While the door to international cricket seemed firmly shut, he continued to toil in domestic cricket, amassing wickets and keeping his name alive in conversations. However, the competition for places in the Bangladesh team is fiercer than ever, with young talents rising steadily. For Razzak, the wait was a test of patience, faith, and resilience. The media, too, played its part, persistently advocating for his recall despite the apparent futility of investing in a cricketer whose prime had seemingly passed.

Yet, as cricket often reminds us, persistence has its rewards. With Sunzamul Islam’s underwhelming performance in the first Test, the selectors turned to the veteran. Razzak was handed a lifeline, and he seized it with both hands. On his comeback, he claimed four wickets, silencing critics and reigniting discussions about his utility in the Test side. 

However, a closer analysis of his wickets reveals a mixed picture. While his dismissals of Dinesh Chandimal and Kusal Mendis showcased his guile, the wickets of Dimuth Karunaratne and Danushka Gunathilaka owed more to the batsmen’s poor shot selection than to any brilliance from the bowler. Regardless, wickets are the currency of bowlers, and Razzak’s tally of four on his comeback day cannot be dismissed. 

The Quiet Brilliance of Taijul Islam

Amid the celebration of Razzak’s return, the efforts of Taijul Islam went largely unnoticed—a familiar story for the tireless left-arm spinner. Taijul has long played the role of the unsung hero in Bangladesh’s bowling lineup. Often overshadowed by Shakib Al Hasan’s brilliance or Mustafizur Rahman’s flair, Taijul has been the dependable workhorse, toiling away under the sun on unforgiving pitches. 

On Razzak’s comeback day, Taijul once again proved his mettle, delivering a performance that arguably outshone the veteran. While Razzak and Mehidy Hasan Miraz leaked runs at over four per over, Taijul brought control and discipline. He adjusted his length masterfully, pitching fuller and attacking the stumps, forcing the batsmen onto the front foot. 

His reward came in the form of key wickets. Dhananjaya de Silva was undone by a sharp slider that found the edge, while Niroshan Dickwella’s over-eager advance down the track ended in shattered stumps. When Roshen Silva and Dilruwan Perera threatened to rebuild, Taijul broke their resistance with a loopy delivery that induced a bat-pad catch. He capped off his day with a delivery that reared off a good length, grazing Roshen’s glove and landing safely in Liton Das’s hands. 

Statistics further highlight Taijul’s impact. According to CricViz, Taijul bowled fuller and more probing lengths, drawing batsmen forward 61.1% of the time compared to Razzak’s 56%. He also kept the batsmen on a tighter leash, with only 22.2% of his deliveries attacked, compared to Razzak’s 29%. 

Unlike his usual role as a defensive bowler tasked with holding one end, Taijul embraced the responsibility of being a strike bowler. His change in approach—from containment to aggression—was evident in his altered lines and lengths. On a day when the spotlight was on Razzak, Taijul quietly stole the show with his craft and consistency. 

 A Tale of Two Spinners

Razzak’s return is a testament to perseverance and the unpredictable nature of cricket, but it also raises questions about the long-term direction of Bangladesh’s Test cricket strategy. While his four-wicket haul is a moment to celebrate, it is Taijul’s adaptability and skill that point to the future. Bangladesh must recognize the value of nurturing bowlers like Taijul, who can deliver under pressure and adapt to different roles.

On a day when Bangladesh’s batting woes continued to dominate the narrative, Taijul’s performance was a silver lining. His ability to overshadow a veteran’s much-celebrated return speaks volumes about his potential and the impact he can have on Bangladesh’s Test fortunes. 

As the dust settles on this day of contrasting stories, one thing is clear: while comebacks are worth celebrating, the quiet contributions of unsung heroes like Taijul must not be overlooked. For it is in their relentless efforts that the foundation of a team’s success is built. 

Thank You

Faisal Caesar 

A Test Match That Died a Slow Death: Chittagong’s Pitch Fiasco

At 3:20 pm local time, Mahmudullah Riyad and Dinesh Chandimal shook hands, signalling the end of the first Test between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in Chittagong. A match that spanned five laborious days concluded in a draw, leaving cricket fans with little to cherish apart from personal milestones. The pitch, a lifeless stretch of turf, offered no assistance to bowlers and ensured a run-fest that stretched the patience of even the most ardent Test cricket enthusiasts.

The statistics were damning: 1,533 runs scored for the loss of just 24 wickets over five days. While batsmen like Mominul Haque, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kusal Mendis, and Roshen Silva feasted on the benign surface to notch up centuries, others such as Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim, and Liton Das fell agonizingly short. Dimuth Karunaratne, ironically, would be the most disappointed of all, failing to even open his account on this batting paradise.

Yet, amidst the accolades for Mominul Haque, who became the first Bangladeshi to score centuries in both innings of a Test, there was a lingering sense of hollowness. His technical flaw—bringing the bat down from the gully region instead of straight—remains unaddressed, a concern that will likely haunt him on more challenging surfaces. Praises for such feats on this dead track seem misplaced, for this was not a Test that celebrated the spirit of cricket but rather exposed its vulnerabilities.

The Death of Contest

The Chittagong pitch was a disaster for Test cricket, a poor advertisement for the format’s relevance. Zahid Reza, the local curator, prepared a wicket that failed to deteriorate over five days, depriving bowlers of any semblance of assistance. The bounce remained low and slow, the turn negligible, and the contest between bat and ball virtually non-existent.

According to the International Cricket Council (ICC), a good Test pitch should strike a balance, offering something for bowlers early on while progressively deteriorating to challenge batsmen as the match wears on. By those standards, the Chittagong surface was a travesty. It favoured batsmen excessively, reduced bowlers to mere spectators and robbed the match of any intrigue or excitement.

ICC Standards and the "Poor" Rating

The ICC rates pitches based on several criteria, emphasizing the need for a fair contest between bat and ball. Pitches are categorized as "very good," "good," "average," "below average," "poor," or "unfit." A "poor" pitch is one that fails to provide bowlers with sufficient opportunities or skews the game excessively in favour of batsmen. The Chittagong pitch fits this description perfectly.

Consider the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in 2017. The ICC deemed that pitch "poor" after only 24 wickets fell in five days, with just 1,081 runs scored. The lifeless nature of the surface led to widespread criticism, and Cricket Australia faced significant scrutiny. If the historic MCG was not spared, why should Chittagong escape similar censure?

Lessons from History

Bangladesh’s recent successes in Test cricket have come on challenging tracks that offered assistance to bowlers. Memorable victories against England and Australia in 2016 and 2017 were achieved on turning pitches in Mirpur. Tamim Iqbal’s gritty century against England in 2016 on a spinning track remains far more significant than Mominul’s twin centuries on this lifeless deck.

By preparing such dead surfaces, Bangladesh risks stagnating in their development as a Test-playing nation. These tracks may inflate batting averages and pad individual records, but they do little to prepare the team for the rigours of international cricket. Worse, they reflect a fear of losing—a mindset that will only perpetuate the team’s struggles abroad.

Accountability and Change

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) must take accountability. Just as they sought explanations from Gamini Silva for the Mirpur track during the Tri-series final, they must hold Zahid Reza accountable for this debacle. Test cricket thrives on competitive surfaces that challenge both batsmen and bowlers. Preparing pitches that are devoid of life not only harms the game but also tarnishes Bangladesh’s reputation as a host nation.

The Way Forward

If Bangladesh is serious about improving in Test cricket, they must abandon the practice of preparing such docile tracks. True progress comes from competing on surfaces that test technique, temperament, and strategy. Home advantage should not mean stripping the game of its essence but rather leveraging conditions to foster growth and resilience.

For now, the Chittagong Test will be remembered not for the records it produced but for the opportunities it squandered. It was a match that promised much but delivered little—a stark reminder of what happens when the balance of cricket is sacrificed at the altar of convenience.

 

Thank You

Faisal Caesar 

Day 4: Bangladesh Under Pressure as Sri Lanka Tighten the Noose

 

“We have a pretty good chance to win the Test. It is a pretty good wicket. It is all turning from the rough and outside the stumps. We are hoping to start the day well. We are bowling in good areas, line and length.”

These were the confident words of Niroshan Dickwella, Sri Lanka’s charming and ever-optimistic wicketkeeper, at the end of Day 4 of the first Test in Chittagong. For followers of Bangladesh cricket, such a statement might have been unexpected on a pitch that had been an unyielding paradise for batsmen. Bangladesh, after all, had vocally advocated for pitches tailored to their strengths, yet the very track they wished for seemed to have betrayed them.

As the scoreboard read 81 for 3 at stumps, with two of Bangladesh’s in-form batsmen back in the pavilion, questions about the team’s temperament resurfaced. Could the Tigers handle the pressure of chasing down a daunting target? History suggests they have shown flashes of resilience under scoreboard pressure, but all too often, these moments have ended in disappointment. Once again, the specter of collapse loomed large.

A Tale of Missed Opportunities

Dickwella’s assessment of the Chittagong wicket was accurate: the ball was turning, but only from the rough and primarily outside the stumps. On Day 4, such behavior from the pitch was to be expected, but the surface remained fundamentally good for batting. Isolated instances of turn and uneven bounce should not have unsettled the hosts. A positive mindset and disciplined shot selection were the need of the hour. Instead, Bangladesh’s top order faltered, playing into Sri Lanka’s hands.

Sri Lanka had declared earlier in the day with a lead of 200 runs, setting the stage for Bangladesh to salvage the situation. Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes began promisingly, stitching together a 50-run partnership before the drinks break. However, the calm was short-lived. Kayes’ ill-advised ramp shot against Dilruwan Perera, despite the field being adjusted moments earlier, epitomized poor decision-making. The ball, innocuous in its trajectory, caught the toe-end of the bat and was gleefully pouched at square leg. It was a gift Sri Lanka didn’t need to ask for.

Tamim, who had been handling Lakshan Sandakan’s quick deliveries with relative ease, then fell to a lapse in judgment. Chasing a wide skidder outside off-stump, he edged to Dickwella, playing a shot more suited to a limited-overs game. On a surface that still favored batsmen, such dismissals were less a testament to the bowlers’ guile and more an indictment of the batsmen’s lack of application.

The Spin Web Tightens

While Perera and Sandakan had already made their mark, the wily veteran Rangana Herath entered the fray in the final over of the day. His subtle variations and unerring accuracy were on full display as he trapped Mushfiqur Rahim at silly point. Herath’s late strike bolstered Sri Lanka’s position and lent weight to Dickwella’s optimistic post-match comments.

Tactical Insights and Oversights

Dickwella’s observations about the rough outside off-stump deserve attention. On Day 3, a specific area on the back of a length around off-stump began to show signs of uneven bounce, with puffs of dust rising ominously. Such nuances are critical on flat tracks, offering bowlers a glimmer of hope. Sri Lanka’s think tank, led by the astute Chandika Hathurusingha, capitalized on these cues, directing their spinners to exploit the rough with precision.

In contrast, Bangladesh’s tactical approach appeared reactive and uninspired. Their inability to identify and target these areas highlighted a lack of situational awareness. On a surface as docile as this, such oversights can prove costly.

The Road Ahead

As the final day looms, Bangladesh must tread carefully. The rough areas on the pitch will continue to pose challenges, but the onus is on the batsmen to adapt and display resolve. Positive intent, combined with judicious shot selection, will be crucial. Anything less risks turning this match into an embarrassment for the hosts.

For Sri Lanka, the equation is simple. With the momentum firmly in their favour, they will aim to maintain pressure and exploit any chinks in Bangladesh’s armour. The Tigers, now cornered, must summon every ounce of grit and determination to salvage a draw if not an unlikely victory.

In the end, this Test may well be remembered not for the lifeless pitch but for the stark contrast in how the two teams approached its challenges. One embraced the nuances; the other was undone by them.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar