Bangladesh will soon host Zimbabwe in Tests, ODIs and T20. Given the present standing of Bangladesh in ICC ranking in different format of the game. Bangladesh must spare nothing unturned to win comprehensively Test and ODI series to elevate its standing at it now stands at the bottom of Test rating and not far from the bottom among test playing countries in ODI ranking.
If we review the above standing we find the top rankings in both Test and ODI is witnessing keen tussle among Australia and South Africa .They will soon battle out which remains on top .But a white wash on Pakistan in the ensuing test series by Australia ( very likely) at UAE may give advantage to Australia. India is also not lagging much behind in ODI ranking and in test .If they win the ongoing ODI series against the West Indies they may regain its top position in ODI ranking. But India will confront a very difficult challengeagainst Australia in Australia in not too distant future.
What Bangladesh Must Aim At?
Bangladesh lost a golden opportunity of improving its Test and ODI ranking during the recent tour to West Indies. If they could compete well they could close the ranks with Zimbabwe and West Indies in Test and widen gap with Zimbabwe in ODI ranking. I am not sure BCB was aware of this while handing over the heavy punishment against its world class cricket all-rounder Sakibul Hasan. One Sakib could make lot of difference in team balance. His mistakes were punishable but not to the extent BCB had given. We won’t say Sakib alone could change the outcome dramatically .But with Sakib there were much better chances of winning ODI and drawing test against West Indies. However, West Indies tour is done and dusted. We can only look back and repent .We can be benefitted if we can learn lesson and not repeat the same mistakes.
Bangladesh must aim to Tiger Wash the Zimbabweans in both tests and ODI. Though new look Zimbabweans gave a good account of them in the recent triangular ODI series involving two top ranked teams Australia and South Africa yet Bangladesh in Bangladesh is definitely capable of winning against them if only they panic like what they did all through cursed 2014.
Bangladesh has adopted two captain theories like some other cricket playing nations. The way Mushfique conducted himself in West Indies (though I am not sure whether or not he was remote controlled) a change in ODI leadership at least was essential. Mashrafee as ODI captain is always a positive move. He could become an ideal leader by now had he not suffered frequent serious injuries .But it was his mental toughness and love of the game which made his return to top cricket again and again. He is a fighter, a never say person and an inspiration to the team. We are sure he will make a significant change in team attitude. Sakib is his deputy. Perhaps BCB tried to message his ego a little bit after rubbing it through harsh punishment. Sakib captained Bangladesh in the past. Test captaincy remains with Mushfique and now Tamim will be his deputy. In not too distant past Tamim and Sakib were stripped off their responsibilities of leading the team. Let us hope that all bitterness of the past would be forgotten. The team will play like a cohesive unit and regain the dynamism which is so essential now will ICC World Cup knocking at the door.
What Should Bangladesh Target in Tests?
From the ICC ranking table it is pretty obvious that Bangladesh has to play out of its skin to win handsomely against Zimbabwe in the ensuing test and ODI series. If it can white wash Zimbabwe it will take Bangladesh above Zimbabwe to no 9 in test ranking. We find no reason why Bangladesh cannot with its much superior bowling depth and diversity and more experienced batting line up. The presence of Heath Streak in coaching staff may give extra advantage to Bangladesh about bowling to the weakness of Zimbabwe batting. The next team closer to Bangladesh West Indies have widened the gap from the successes in the recent series .But over the next three years Bangladesh should target for number eight slot in ICC test ranking . New Zealand and Pakistan are also going through rebuilding process and sound planning and professional execution of plan can bring Bangladesh closer to them. But in any case graduating to rank eight and consolidating the position there with steady strong performance must be the motto of Bangladesh in immediate future.
The impacts of playing too much T20 cricket and absence of proper format of longer version of competitive domestic cricket has not created enabling temperament for Bangladeshi cricketers in the longer version of the game .Most of the players cannot retain their focus positive over five days and fifteen sessions .Bangladesh has lost a few tests over the last few years after even dominating 9-10 sessions. They have lost few tests from a comfortable position up to two third duration of the tests .The virtue of patience and endurance which comes from greater exposure of quality cricket are missing .The team gets panicked easily and for lack of concentration and mental toughness batting implodes for no reason at all. It is not that batsmen lack skills or playing ability .What they lack is concentration and fitness. If Sri Lankans and Indians can consistently produce good quality test players there are no reasons why Bangladesh having similar physical abilities, socio political and environmental conditions cannot have players of the ability of average Indian and Sri Lankans.
For tests we need at least two to three batsmen who can graft and grind and hold the batting together .Bangladesh need someone like what Hanif Mohammad used to be during early days of Pakistan cricket or like Shivnarayan Chandrapul. Senior Bangladesh batsman like Tamim Iqbal and Sakibul Hasan are definitely international class and can score runs against any opposition. But time and again they have failed to give the team solidity and consolidation they required .After scoring a strokeful 50s and sixties they have too often thrown away their wickets playing careless strokes. Of the present team Mushfiqur Rahim and Mominul Huq have qualities to deliver as test quality batsmen around which batting can revolve. We hope getting fresh the responsibilities of leadership in two different formats Tamim and Sakib will demonstrate greater responsibilities of shouldering the team. In tests Sakib and Anamul can still open. But I will prefer Imrul Kayes or Shahriar Nafees to partner Tamim for the test matches. I am not sure about fitness level of Shahriar Nafees now .Both Kayes and Nafess have quality and experience for playing longer innings. .Nerveless Mominul Huq has all the potential to grow into a very dependable number three batsman in test .He has excellent technique and temperament and has already demonstrated his hunger for long innings in tests. Mominul must be relied upon and must not be chopped and changed. Mushfiqur Rahim has already established his position as ideal number four battling slot . He has excellent technique and right temperament .But for reasons best known to team think tank he batted much lower down despite of inconsistent batting of the team in the recent series against West Indies .Mushfique was stand out batting success there. With Sakib back in the side Mushfique must bat at number four and then Sakib can come in and establish required partnership with any one of the surviving top order. If going is good Sakib can cause damage to the opponents with his brilliant all round batting skills and bat Bangladesh to impregnable position. All-rounder Mahamudullah Raid may bat at number six. After very inconsistent few matches he has started getting back into form both with the bat and the ball off late. With budding late order batsman Nasir Hussain going through a lean patch number seven spot is up for grab .If Bangladesh opts to go for a genuine wicket keeper batsman relieving Mushfique of additional burden it can pick Mithun Ali or it can opt for Shubhagato Hom who will give additional bowling option. With Sohag Gazi not available for his suspension Arafat Sunny may be picked as another left arm spinning option .He can bat and can be useful number eight. Nine, Ten and Jack will be Ziaur Rahman and two new ball bowlers Rubel Hossain and Shafiul Islam (Rabiul) . Mashrafee and Taskin must not be risked for longer version and Al Amin is serving suspension for suspect action.
The three matches will be played at Shere Bangla Stadium in Mirpur, Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium in Khulna and Zahur Ahmed Choudhury Stadium in Chittagong. Wickets of Chittagong and Khulna may favor spin in that situation Bangladesh may opt for playing two pacers and three genuine spinners. Sakib and Mahmudullah can be two spinning options along with their batting, Arafat Sunny and Shubhagato Hom can be two additional spinners .If Nasir can recover form he can return in the team. He must play in the warm up match. He needs one good innings to recover his self-belief.
So my test team would be
Tamim Iqbal , Imrul Kayes ( Sahariar Nafees) , Mominul Huq ,Mushfiqur Rahim , Sakbul Hasan , Mahamudullah Riad , Mithun Ali , Shbhagato Hom, Arafat Sunny, Shafiul Islam and Rubel Hossain.
ODI Team:
Bangladesh will play 5 matches ODI series which will be the last major exposure to both team to such cricket before the all-important ICC world Cup. Given their recent good showing against Australia and South Africa in triangular series Zimbabwe will be expected to fight tooth and nail in ODI series .Sakib’s return will definitely provide tremendous boost .Taskin and Mashrafee will bolster Bangladesh attack. Moreover, Mashrafee as captain is expected to be more aggressive and imposing. In ODI Tamim should be paired with Anamul Huq. Both of these batsmen are by nature aggressive batsmen and rely more on boundaries. But they must also be a bit selective about playing strokes and must not throw away a good start through playing one stroke to many. For ODI I will recommend Sakib play at number three if two openers can give a sound start .The best batsman in ODI format must get more balls to play .If an early wicket fall Shamsur Rahman Shuvo may bat at number three. He is another aggressive opening batsman who will grow with experience. Mushfiqur Rahman in any circumstances bat at number four. He rarely panics and rotating the strikes he can build innings and can put the paddles on scoring rate when required playing aggressive strokes. Depending on match situation Sakib and Shubho can interchange position three and five. But under no circumstance Mushfiqur must push Mahamudullah up lowering his own batting order down. Mushfique is technically the best Bangladeshi batsman apart from Mominul at this moment. Mahmudullah can bat at Number six . As mentioned earlier he has just started getting back in groove .He must not be burdened to repair early damages as it won’t give him comfort of playing a bit freely. Mithun Ali if included can bat at number seven and Subhagato Hom at number eight. Both have strokes to play and play aggressively if required. I am not sure about form and fitness of Naeem Islam .He was an ideal late order hard hitting batsman. Shabbir Rahman can also come into consideration .With Abdur Razzak almost past his prime Arafat Sunny will be ideal foil for Sakib as main spinning partnership .Mashrafee and Taskin will handle the new ball attack. I am sure playing surface match situation and situation of the series will alter cases. But Bangladesh must start strongly, play aggressively and try to white wash Zimbabwe in ODI which will widen the difference between the two teams in ICC rating and act as tonic in ICC world cup buildup. It will also close the gap between Bangladesh and the 8th ranked team West Indies if it gets well beaten by India in the current ODI series.
So my Bangladesh team for ODI should be
Tamim Iqbal, Anamul Huq , Sakibul Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahman , Shamsur Rahman , Mahmudullah Riad , Mithun Ali ( Shabbir Rahman) , Shubhagato Hom( Naeem Islam ) , Mashrafee bin Murtaza , Arafat Sunny , Taskin Ahmed .
Bangladesh needs win and win handsomely in all formats of the game against Zimbabwe. They have both capabilities and quality .They need to show aggressive intent and strong will to win. A series white wash will give tremendous boost to Tigers in their ICC world Cup campaign after a very uncertain or in my opinion cursed 2014 in all forms of internationals cricket at home and abroad.
Bangladesh must target 8th ranking in both ODI and test in the next two to three years . It is more essential in ODI otherwise Bangladesh will have to play world cup qualifying matches for ICC world cup infuture which may not be easy Especially against emerging ICC associate teams like Ireland ,Scotland ,Afghanistan and others .We hope BCB must remain alert about it.
