Squaring the series across all three formats was a test of resolve and character as it was about time Bangladesh cricket achieved something creditable as their opponents were equal in terms strength if not experience.
Former National opening batsman Ishtiaque Ahmad summed up his view with BSS on Saturday regarding Tigers’ performance in the Pearl island (Sri Lanka).
A series that was marred by some off field controversies surrounding the exclusion of Mahmudullah Riyad and later on the inclusion of Mehdi Hossain the young off spinner who was drafted into the T20 side all but rendered the selectors absolutely redundant.
If it weren’t for the efforts of the seniors who along with the contribution of the youngsters managed to eke out victories in the test match at Colombo. Then they followed by that brilliant and convincing victory at Dambulla and finally that spirited triumph in the last T20 match, Bangladesh cricket was in for a rough treatment from the media and the like.
If Mashrafe Mortaza’s exit from T20 cricket is a cause for concern for Bangladesh then it must be said that Mushfiqur Rahim effective wicket keeping and Shakib Al Hasan’s match-winning efforts in all the three victories came as a big relief.
The performance by the phlegmatic all rounder Shakib Al Hasan particularly at a time when the phlegmatic all-rounder’s approach to his batting raised quite a few eye brows not to mention his own statements were moments to savour.
The phenomenal batting by Tamim Iqbal, the return to form of Soumya Sarkar, the maturity of Mosaddek Hossain and the exuberance and multi talented Mehedi Hasan and the ever so important presence of Mustafizur Rahman is gradually transforming the Bangladeshi side into force to reckon with in World Cricket.
The sooner the authorities work on a plausible solution towards selecting a captain for all formats the better it is for the team.
Whether Sakib Al Hasan is a unanimous choice or the personal recommendation of the BCB president is matter that needs to be looked in to because Mahmudullah Riyad may feel hard done by given his success as a player and captain when given the responsibility.
