DHAKA: Incessant rain forced abandonment of Chittagong Test without a ball even bowled over the last two days.

The match was delicately poised and if went down to the wire could end in an epic contest. But in monsoon’s high noon rain had the final say.

Bangladesh had its nose marginally in front .They can take lot of heart even from this honorable draw as several individual and team milestones were achieved.

The first in nine Tests, Bangladesh was on the driver’s seat and at different states dictated terms against far superior opposition.

Bangladesh dismissed South Africa on the very first day for 248 absolutely dominating the proceedings. The team batted appreciably well with commitment, application and courage in earning a first innings lead of 78 runs.

They were still ahead no further play was possible over the last two says. Perhaps rain saved South Africa from possible embarrassment. Cricket world witnessed the arrival of a comet in Mustafizur Rahman in Test arena as well.

What an achievement for a teenaged tiger? He won Man of the Match on debut in ODI against mighty India and in Test against top ranked South Africa.

Bangladesh looked much better team in all departments over the duration of the match. On a wicket where Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander struggled for wicket little wonder took hell out of seasoned South African batsmen.

It is the peak of monsoon in Bangladesh. Such rain from depression in the Bay of Bengal is very much likely. Some people can question the logic behind scheduling the series at this time of the year.

But considering relative ranking of the teams and very congested international commitment one must understand the challenges of slotting a series between top and lesser teams.

Bangladesh so long was not preferred destination for playing series during other period by top teams. We are sure now; the very impressive performance of Bangladesh team across all formats over the last 8-10 months will earn its right for regular series against major teams at proper slots.

Teams like Australia, South Africa and India should no longer hesitate in playing three or even five Test series at home and away basis. Mashrafe, Shakib, Mushfique, Mahmudullah and new kids Mustafiz, Liton, Soumya, and Sabbir have earned that right for Bangladesh.

When the number one team plays the number nine of the world in a ten team family it is usually not a contest of two top dogs. But when such dog fight shapes up to an even contest the weaker dog deserves all the credit.

That is where Bangladesh the last but one in the ICC ranking, in the even contest deserves lot of credit.

The only other Test of the series will start in Dhaka. We are not sure how much of the play will actually be possible as rain is forecasted for all five days. But one thing for sure there will be no favorite for the Test.

Bangladesh has already proved that it is now a fearless competitive cricket team in all formats. It does not melt under any pressure, it does not collapse, and it keeps fighting on. It fights eye to eye with any opposition. Minnows are fast growing as masters.

If we make post mortem of the three days of the play that was possible we must say Bangladesh looked the far better team on the wicket. South African batsmen failed to work out Mustafiz magic. They could not decode his mystery.

Batman like Amla who played superbly against all top bowlers of the world with supreme ease anywhere had no clues. Duminy, du Plessis, de Kock were mesmerized.

It was all his natural ability. At nineteen the skills he has already demonstrated could make even all-time great left arm fast bowler (sultan of swing) Wasim Akram proud.

Bangladesh must try to have Wasim Akram as his mentor with discussion with Heath Streak for a while.

Bangladesh has also discovered and ideal Test bowler Shahid for test. He can bowl consistently on the corridor of uncertainty like Glenn McGrath. He did not get any wicket in the Test but his accuracy kept South African batsmen guessing.

They tried to take liberty from other bowlers bowling from the other end and lost their wickets. Jubair, Shakib, Taijul all bowled well as a team.

For the first time ever in the test history Bangladesh bowled as a high quality bowling unit capable of taking 20 wickets of a superior team. We are not sure whether Bangladesh will change the playing XI for Dhaka Test.

If they do the only change can be utilizing all round ability of Nasir Hossain. To us, he is the best off-spinner at the moment and his presence will add further depth and diversity to Bangladesh batting. He may replace Taijul. But it will take a big heart to do that as on a spinning wicket Taijul can turn out as possible match winner.

The entire team batted well with the lone exception of Mominul Haque. But he is too good a batsman to be judged from one innings. He will definitely play a substantial innings soon. No one should even think about changing the opening pair of Tamim and Kayes.

Tamim played with grit, determination, discretion curbing his natural aggression. Kayes was looking more enterprising till he got out. Mominul played an out of character stroke.

Mahmudullah played a solid innings. He and Tamim aptly aid the foundation on which Shakib and Mushfique were building on. Mushfique looked impressive till he got out. Perhaps he needs some counseling. At 20-30 he appears to be losing his composure which is very unlikely of him. He must pay higher price of his wicket.

Shakib and Liton possibly produced the innings of the match. But again when things were looking so rosy Shakib committed suicide to a rank bad ball.

Liton displayed excellent skill against pace of Steyn, Morkel and Philander scoring his first fifty in the second test innings. His cover drive reminded of some past greats.

Here is yet another emerging talent, who can be ideal wicket keeping cum top order batsman. His inclusion will relieve Mushfique from wicket keeping duty and concentrate more on his better skills and responsibility as premiere batsman.

Shakib is a batsman who can dominate any attack when set. But very often these days he cannot convert his brilliant start to something substantial. He gets out playing lose strokes. He must not waste his talent like this. Many of his good innings have potentials for three figures but he cannot. He needs a bit more application and batting discipline.

Given the solid technique of Liton against pace bowling we are thinking whether Liton can be promoted to bat at four of five. Flamboyant Soumya will unfortunately have to wait for his turn little longer.

Soumya is extraordinary talent there is no semblance of doubt. If given opportunity there is every possibility that he will strike gold. But it is a unique situation that he cannot find his slot in the team for the balance of the team.

The wicket in Dhaka may not be much different. Bangladesh appeared to have better balanced attack in Chittagong. Similar or a little pacier wicket may not harm Bangladesh. All batsmen are in great nick.

Bangladeshi batsmen also like balls come a bit more easily at the bat. Mustafiz will have his slowish (disguised) mystery cutters on any surface. Rather on faster wickets he may be more lethal with his snaky deliveries.

Bangladesh may need to adjust its strategy a little bit. South Africans may not repeat the same mistakes again. The choice between Nasir and Taijul must be taken after lots of permutations and combinations.

We will consider Bangladesh starting the Dhaka Test at 55-45 favorites.

BDST: 1818 HRS, JULY 25, 2015
RR