It was not just ineptness of the Bangladeshi batsmen that led them to such capitulation against a side which was considered to be equal in terms of strength but the complete lack of test match temperament that was glaringly evident during the last five days at Galle against Sri Lanka.
Former National opener Ishtiaque Ahmad’s observation regarding Bangladesh’s heavy defeat on Saturday to BSS.
It was obviously a fallacy to nurture the thought of considering the two sides as equal as was done by none other than yours truly, but drawing such conclusions basing on just a couple of test matches was atrocious to say the least.
With the exception of Mushfiqur Rahim not a single player displayed any kind of desire and tenacity to graft and occupy the crease which is so much an integral part of test match cricket. There are at least four players amongst the Bangladeshi ranks who have played over 150 test matches yet not one can boast of an innings that can be said to be a match saving innings not to mention a match winning innings at test match level.
Individual performances abound amongst the lot but the grit, determination and the stomach to fight at this level is desperately missing and unless and until the BCB officials wake up and start to focus on what needs to be done to be a force to be reckoned our Boys would still be languishing at the bottom of the table in test match cricket.
It won’t be too long before sides like Ireland and Afghanistan would be giving Bangladesh a run for their money and as things seem to appear within the ICC scheme of things the likelihood of the two sides emerging as new inclusions would be a cause for concern for Bangladesh.
It is about time before our administrators start to think out of the box to enhance the prospects of our test performances and give a clear signal to some of our seniors to pull up their socks before they get the boot failing which the BCB bosses would have themselves to blame and be content with the scathing criticisms that is almost inevitable in the not too distant future.
Therefore it is imperative on the part of Mushfiqur Rahim and co: to go to the drawing board and work upon a strategy so as to get the better of the opposition in the next test match instead of brooding over spilled milk which would be Bangladesh’s 100th test match and a creditable performance which the country surely deserves.
