Shakib Al Hasan’s Brilliance Overshadowed by Bangladesh’s Batting Collapse

 The ninth over of Day 2 saw a moment of brilliance that encapsulated Shakib Al Hasan’s enduring genius. Bowling from wide of the crease, he delivered a flighted, well-paced delivery that broke through Kraigg Brathwaite’s stubborn defence. It was vintage Shakib—a dismissal that reminded critics why he remains Bangladesh’s finest cricketer. 

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.  

Thank You

Faisal Caesar

Bangladesh’s Batting Woes Continue: A Test of Temperament in Jamaica

The morning session in Jamaica began with a glimmer of hope for Bangladesh. Liton Kumar Das, brimming with confidence, signalled his intent early on. A crisply timed stroke through the offside off Shannon Gabriel and a glorious extra-cover drive against Keemo Paul hinted at a positive approach. By lunch, the Tigers seemed to have clawed back into the game, buoyed by their bowlers’ disciplined effort to wrap up the West Indies innings. 

However, as the adage goes, “A good start is only half the battle.” The real challenge lay ahead. 

The Liton Dilemma: Aggression Without Application

Post-lunch, Bangladesh’s batting needed discipline—a shift from the Twenty20 instincts to the grind of Test cricket. Liton, facing Keemo Paul, initially showed glimpses of restraint, leaving deliveries outside the off-stump. Yet, his eagerness to play expansive shots betrayed a lack of temperament required for the longest format. 

Gabriel, a seasoned campaigner, sensed Liton’s impatience. A sharp delivery angled in from a short-of-a-length caught Liton off guard, trapping him plumb in front. The dismissal was a textbook example of poor shot selection—a flick attempted when a solid defensive approach was the need of the hour. 

Liton’s downfall underscored a recurring issue: the inability to adapt aggression to the demands of Test cricket. 

Mominul’s Carbon Copy Dismissal

Mominul Haque once hailed as Bangladesh’s Test specialist, walked in under pressure. His dismissal mirrored his first Test woes—a closed face against an angled delivery from Gabriel. This technical flaw, previously attributed to external coaching strategies, now seemed more intrinsic. 

The absence of Chandika Hathurusingha once blamed for Mominul’s struggles, raised uncomfortable questions about the player’s ability to learn and adapt. The so-called local solutions seemed ineffective, leaving Bangladesh’s middle order vulnerable yet again. 

Shakib and Tamim: A Partnership Without Purpose

With two wickets down, Bangladesh needed their senior players to steady the ship. Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal stitched together a 59-run partnership, but it lacked the hallmarks of a proper Test innings. Boundaries flowed, but strike rotation—a crucial aspect of building pressure and tiring bowlers—was conspicuously absent. 

Jason Holder, the West Indies skipper, persisted with disciplined lines, knowing Shakib’s penchant for risky strokes. The gamble paid off. In the 24th over, Shakib misjudged a delivery he had previously dispatched, slicing it straight to the fielder. The captain’s dismissal, a loose shot against the run of play, highlighted a lack of focus and the tendency to repeat mistakes—a cardinal sin in Test cricket. 

The Collapse: A Familiar Tale

Shakib’s departure triggered a collapse. Mahmudullah Riyad, shuffling across his crease, fell lbw to a straight delivery—an example of flawed technique against pace. Tamim, who had shown intent to occupy the crease, succumbed to an angled delivery from Keemo Paul. 

Mushfiqur Rahim, often the savior in crises, batted with a reckless abandon more suited to limited-overs cricket. His brief stay at the crease was punctuated by boundaries but lacked the solidity needed to anchor the innings. A lazy jab at a short-of-a-length ball ended his resistance, leaving Bangladesh in dire straits. 

Nurul Hasan, touted as a promising talent, failed to deliver under pressure. A golden duck added to the misery, while Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s stay lasted just twelve balls. 

A Score Fit for T20, Not Tests

Bangladesh’s innings folded for under 150—a total more fitting for a Twenty20 match than a five-day contest. The inability to adjust to the demands of Test cricket was glaring. Poor shot selection, technical deficiencies, and a lack of mental resilience combined to script yet another batting debacle. 

Lessons to Learn, Changes to Make

Test cricket demands patience, application, and adaptability—qualities that seemed in short supply for Bangladesh in Jamaica. While the bowlers had shown fight in the morning, their efforts were squandered by a batting lineup unwilling or unable to grind it out. 

The Tigers must introspect. Senior players like Shakib and Mushfiqur need to lead by example while promising talents like Liton and Nurul must learn to temper aggression with discipline. The road ahead is long, but without fundamental changes in approach, Bangladesh risks repeating the same mistakes. 

As the sun set on Day 2, one thing was clear: the Tigers have the talent, but without the temperament, they will continue to struggle in the purest format of the game.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar 

Abu Jayed and Mehidy Hasan Miraz: The Architects of Bangladesh’s Day 2 Revival

In cricket, young pacers who understand the art of pitching it full and shaping the ball back at a consistent pace are invaluable assets. They embody resilience, running tirelessly even when the odds seem insurmountable, experimenting with angles and lengths in pursuit of breakthroughs. These bowlers often dismantle the most resolute defences and break partnerships, laying the foundation for their teammates to capitalize. 

For Bangladesh, Abu Jayed is one such bowler. Yet, his potential was underutilized on Day 1, leaving many to wonder why a talent of his calibre wasn’t given the ball earlier. 

But Day 2 in Jamaica told a different story—a tale of redemption and resurgence. 

The West Indies resumed their innings with Shimron Hetmyer and Roston Chase, both eager to pile on the misery for the visitors. The lacklustre bowling from the previous day likely emboldened the duo, but what greeted them on Day 2 was a transformed Bangladesh attack. 

Abu Jayed, the young seamer, took centre stage, defying the oppressive heat and humidity with a spirited spell of fast-medium bowling. He hit ideal lengths consistently—back of a length and full deliveries aimed with precision—and maintained a steady pace around 80 mph. It was this consistency, combined with his ability to move the ball, that made Jayed a different bowler altogether. 

Jayed struck early, dismissing the dangerous Hetmyer with a sharp delivery that leapt off a length outside off stump, forcing an edge. Shortly after, Chase fell victim to a full delivery angled in, trapped plumb in front. The two set batsmen, who had looked poised to build a commanding total, were sent back to the pavilion, leaving the West Indies rattled and sparking a pertinent question: 

Why wasn’t Jayed used more on Day 1, when the pitch still offered assistance for his style of bowling? 

The answer lies with Shakib Al Hasan and the Bangladesh think tank. Perhaps they had banked on spin to unsettle the West Indies, given the traditional vulnerability of Caribbean batsmen against quality spin. While the strategy was logical on paper, its execution faltered due to erratic line and length from the bowlers. On a track with early life, the decision to hold back Jayed—whose full-length deliveries and ability to bring the ball back in could have been game-changing—appears questionable in hindsight. 

Moreover, opening the bowling with a spinner on such surfaces may work in shorter formats like T20s, but in the tactical grind of Test cricket, it often proves counterproductive. 

With Hetmyer and Chase gone, the complexion of the game shifted. The Tigers were on the prowl, and Jayed’s early strikes had set the stage for Mehidy Hasan Miraz to weave his magic. 

Miraz, a proven performer in Test cricket, had been one of the few bright spots on Day 1. On Day 2, he elevated his game, varying his pace and refining his lengths to perfection. His guile and control brought swift rewards. 

Shane Dowrich, the gritty wicketkeeper-batsman, was lured into a false stroke by a slower delivery that dipped deceptively, resulting in a tame dismissal. Keemo Paul followed soon after, edging a full delivery, and Miguel Cummins was trapped lbw the very next ball. With that, Miraz secured yet another five-wicket haul in Test cricket, a testament to his craft and determination. 

Even as the West Indies skipper Jason Holder threatened to forge a tail-end resistance reminiscent of their series against Sri Lanka, Jayed returned to banish the spectre of Shannon Gabriel with pace and precision, sealing the innings. 

The turnaround was complete. Bangladesh’s bowlers, led by the youthful exuberance of Jayed and the seasoned skill of Miraz, had clawed their team back into the contest. It was a performance marked by grit, adaptability, and, above all, a refusal to yield. 

Now, the onus shifts to the Bangladesh batsmen. The bowlers have laid the groundwork with their hard-earned breakthroughs; it is up to the batsmen to ensure that the efforts of Jayed and Miraz are not squandered. 

Test cricket, after all, is a team game, and the Tigers must now come together to build on this momentum. As Day 2 drew to a close, one thing was clear: Abu Jayed had arrived as a force to be reckoned with, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz had reaffirmed his status as Bangladesh’s spinning lynchpin. Together, they reminded the cricketing world that even in adversity, the Tigers have the heart to fight back. 

Thank You

Faisal Caesar 

When Luck Meets Hesitation: Shakib Al Hasan’s Toss Triumphs and Tactical Troubles

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.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar 

The night a dream was torn apart: England's anguish and Croatia’s historic ascent

It felt like watching a masterpiece shredded stroke by stroke before your very eyes. England’s dream of reaching their first World Cup final in over half a century was extinguished, and in those harrowing moments after the final whistle — as disoriented players drifted across the pitch like somnambulists wading through a nightmare — one could not help but wonder if this would become their life’s abiding regret.

In time, these players may look back on a tournament that subtly recast England’s image — from plodding artisans of anxiety-ridden football to a team suffused with fresh verve. But shaking off the trauma of this semifinal collapse will not be easy. They will forever carry the grim knowledge that the World Cup may never again arrange itself so invitingly, and that for a tantalising stretch, Gareth Southgate’s men convinced even the most sceptical among us that they might actually achieve it. Truly, they did.

Wonderful Croatia 

Instead, it is Croatia who return to the Luzhniki Stadium, destined to meet France, and amid the English post-mortem it would be grossly unjust to overlook the iron-willed courage that defined Zlatko Dalic’s side. The defining act arrived in the 109th minute, courtesy of Mario Mandzukic — a striker hobbled by a ravaged knee. In many ways, that image encapsulates Croatia: a team that survived three successive knockout games through extra time, and which, barring sheer exhaustion, might yet carry football’s most glittering prize to a nation of just four million souls.

For England, it is the consolation of a third-place playoff against Belgium, an afterthought they will greet with the same hollow enthusiasm as Bobby Robson’s forlorn semi-finalists of 1990. Immortality, alas, is reserved for others. Moscow 2018 will now reside beside Turin 1990 in England’s archive of noble failures, grief etched most starkly on the face of Kieran Trippier. The full-back, who had ignited English hopes with his sumptuous free-kick, wept openly as he hobbled off after Mandzukic’s dagger to the heart. He knew the dream was gone.

Yet amid the ruin, Southgate and his team have achieved something quietly revolutionary: they have reshaped how England is perceived by the world. From a land of infighting and dreary entitlement has emerged a squad bound by evident brotherhood, comfortable in their own skin, their spirit brightened by humility. This England bends it like Trippier. This England has a colossus at the back, Harry Maguire, whose primary vocation is — in Southgate’s own words — to “get his bonce on everything.” This England, at long last, has restored pride to its people.

Still, Southgate had warned with sober honesty that his side remained imperfect, and it must have jarred him to witness how abruptly they ceded control midway through the second half. Until then, England had played with an authoritative conviction, suggesting this might become the grandest feat of any team since 1966. John Stones looked every inch the elegant centre-back England has craved for generations; Dele Alli improved markedly; Henderson marshalled midfield security; Maguire dominated. It was all there, fleetingly.

The Croatian Blow

But they failed to land the decisive second blow, and when Ivan Perisic conjured his audacious, airborne equaliser in the 68th minute — nipping ahead of Trippier and Kyle Walker to steer the ball past Jordan Pickford — the game irrevocably tilted. From then on, Croatia imposed themselves in ways both subtle and brutal. England still teased us with hope: Stones was denied by a desperate clearance off the line in extra time. Yet by then, for the first time in Russia, England’s defence seemed frail, their nerves shredding. Perisic struck the post, Rebic squandered a rebound. The siege was gathering.

It was doubly cruel given England’s first-half artistry: their tireless suppression of Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic, and the ecstasy, just five minutes in, when Trippier’s free-kick soared over a six-man wall, dipped, curled and kissed the underside of the bar. As broken as he appeared at the end, Trippier returns home a bona fide star.

But Southgate conceded that his team’s inexperience may have been their undoing. When Croatia pressed, England’s composure faltered. Clearances were snatched, judgment clouded. In the cold parlance of coaching, they lacked “game management.” Their shape dissolved, their threat dwindled. Harry Kane, destined to claim the Golden Boot, cut a paradoxical figure: lethal in statistics, but strangely muted in penetration. Sterling’s lively but erratic outing ended early; Lingard will replay that skewed first-half chance in his mind for years. Kane’s best moment was nullified by a borderline offside — perhaps it would have stood under VAR had he found the net instead of the post. But it is all mere conjecture now.

It fell instead to Mandzukic, Croatia’s battered warrior, to deliver the coup de grâce. Stones lost him for an instant, and that was enough for the striker to smash his shot home. England sought to rouse themselves, but momentum is a merciless force once surrendered. They will forever remember the night they led a World Cup semi-final — and let it slip.

“We all feel the pain,” Southgate admitted afterward. Football, once more, is not coming home.

Motivated Croatia Looks to Create History 

Modric, meanwhile, was withering in his assessment of English arrogance. “They underestimated Croatia tonight — that was a huge mistake,” he said. “They should be more humble, show more respect. We dominated mentally and physically.”

Perisic, recalling his boyhood days cheering Croatia’s 1998 heroes in his village jersey, called it a dream fulfilled to score and propel his nation to their first final. Defender Sime Vrsaljko dismissed England’s new supposed sophistication, suggesting that once pressed, they reverted to old habits of long-ball desperation.

Dalic, for his part, spoke with an air of prophecy. “This tournament will be won by a team with character,” he declared. Croatia, 1-0 down in three consecutive knockouts, have woven history from grit and defiance. They are the first new finalists since Spain in 2010 — from a country barely 30 years into independence, now writing its own epic.

“This has been debated for 20 years,” Dalic said, invoking the ghosts of 1998. “Maybe God gave us this chance to settle it.”

So the dream shifts from Wembley to Zagreb. England are left to reflect on a campaign that reignited faith but ended in tears — a masterpiece half-finished, cruelly torn from the easel.

Thank You 

Faisal Caesar