Bangladesh 236/9 (Tamim Iqbal 59, Imrul Kayes 44, Nurul Hasan 44) lost to New Zealand 239/2 (Kane Williams 95*, Neil Broom 97, Mustafiz 2/32) by 8-wicket.

New Zealand Whitewashed Bangladesh in ODI Series 3-0.

Black Caps were twice whitewashed by Bangladesh in Bangladesh in two ODI series. Just now Bangladesh got whitewashed in New Zealand losing all three matches by comfortable margins. They were outplayed in the 3rd ODI by eight wickets after losing the first two by 77 and 67 runs.

When a team has success, every Tom, Dick and Harry claim success but failure is always orphan. Bangladesh will lose rating points in ODI ranking for this 3-0 series whitewash. The team in 8th position will get closer in making Bangladesh’s position vulnerable for automatic qualification in the next ICC World Cup, to be played in England.

We saw New Zealand losing all matches of Chappell-Hadlee Trophy in Australia only a few weeks back. They were not seen that formidable as an ODI unit for new Bangladesh team that had to surrender so abjectly. On the other hand, Bangladesh very recently proved very competitive against strong England in home series without even the ace strike bowler Mustafizur Rahman.

In the first match at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, Bangladesh bowled and batted poorly letting home team score in well excess of 300 runs which Bangladesh failed to chase. But in second ODI at Saxton Oval, where Bangladesh blooded three rookies, bowling other than useless Tanbir was vastly improved restricting home team to 251-run.

Bangladesh was well on course for registering their first ever win in New Zealand reaching 105/1 in 22.5 overs. Suddenly rarely seen mix up between Kayes and Sabbir led to a run out. Following that Bangladesh batting imploded with batsmen committing suicide. Bangladesh melted away for 184 and thereby lost the series.

The third ODI on Saturday (December 31) was for Bangladesh to salvage their pride. Winning the toss and batting first things appeared rosy with openers Tamim and Kayes putting up 102-run in the opening partnership at a healthy run rate. Many Bangladeshis following the match in social media were hoping against hope that even a score over 300 was a possibility. But as soon as Kayes fell to a brilliant diving catch of Broom, there was a panic that led to the collapse.

In no time, Bangladesh decimated to 179/7. Sabbir, Mahmudullah, Tamim, Shakib, Mosaddek all fell like a pack of cards. Useless Tanbir came and went. Only impressive Nurul Hasan’s brave rear-guard action gave some respectability to Bangladesh innings reaching 236/9. He scored a well-compiled 44-run off 39-ball. Bangladesh again failed to build on the solid foundation laid by their openers.

The wicket on the day was a little sluggish. A target of 237 runs would have been competitive if Bangladesh could bowl well as a team. But apart from Mustafiz, none could bowl on length and line. Mustafiz removed Latham in his very first over. He also induced Broom giving a catch to first slip before opening his account. But Kayes dropped a dolly.

If accepted, butterfly would have run in Kiwi batsmen stomach as Guptil was retired hurt. Bangladesh could press on. That, however, didn’t happen.

Kane Williamson and Neil Broom then toyed with listless Bangladesh attack in a ruthless partnership. Mustafiz on his final spell removed Broom to a wonderful reflex catch of never say die captain Mashrafe. But by then he scored 97-run off 97-ball. Williamson and Nisham took Kiwis ashore whitewashing pathetic Bangladesh.

The favored Tanbir Hayder in his two overs leaked 20 runs which in defending a 237 runs target was huge. This player in two matches bowled 10 overs giving away 60 runs without taking any wicket.

The player who was overlooked for Tanbir’s inclusion was Nasir Hossain, who in the meantime scored a double century in domestic cricket.

Any team can lose a series, any team can get whitewash playing against superior team in their known environment but when team plays with non-deserving players leaving behind quality resources it questions the wisdom of team management.

What was the point for not including young Mehedi Miraz? Could he not be a better spinning option than one Tanbir? When Soumya failed after the first match, why quality player Mominul could not be tried? Who says that he is not a good ODI player given his brilliant form in BPL? Another top batsman Mehedi Maruf was taken with the team. Why was he sent back? Throughout the series, Mahmudullah looked mentally dejected. Why? Is the dressing room chemistry ok?
 

Let us try and analyze what has gone wrong between then and now that Bangladesh cannot even prove competitive.

What was Bangladesh’s preparation leading up to the series?  A scandalous BPL T20, money making opportunity for a fortunate few. Even in such silly tournament, few players like Mehedi Maruf, Nasir Hossain, Shahriar Nafees played consistently well. But they were ignored. A large 23-member Bangladesh touring squad for the ODI, T20 and test match series did not feature Al-Amin Hossain recently picked as among the Top players in 2016.

Admittedly playing to potential is always a strong challenge for any sub-continental team in New Zealand. This is well known to all. Head Coach cum selector Hathurusingha like anyone else knew as good as anyone. One of the highest paid coaches did not have much time watching players in Bangladesh appearing in domestic cricket. He spends most of the time in his adopted country Australia.

Needless to mention here some deserving players were overlooked. He has a disliking for some players. We must strongly argue selection of a very ordinary player like Tanbir ignoring ace all-rounder Nasir Hossain. Conditions in New Zealand also substantiates that Al-Amin could have been successful.  On his prescription, Bangladesh squad came to Sydney and spend a significant amount of money in so-called acclimatization. Bangladesh also played two warm-up matches against two KFC Big Bash teams. Head Coach must own major responsibility for the series whitewash.

Bangladesh team appears looking down the barrel. Tamim and Kayes had started but could not carry on. Mahmudullah was completely out of form. Shakib was not in his brilliant best. Soumya could have been given a final opportunity in the last ODI.

Bangladesh in this topsy-turvy state may go ahead for a series whitewash if team management does not play horses for the courses. Earning even a draw other than rain washing out may not be possible in two tests. New Zealand in T20 is still stronger in home condition.

Whatever happens, BCB must now realize that giving absolute authority to someone in team affairs can be suicidal. Already the career of Anamul Haque, Nasir Hossain, Al-Amin Hossain and Shahriar Nafees are in dark shadows. Young leggie Jubair Hossain is not even being mentioned in discussions anywhere. Before further damage is done to Bangladesh cricket the affairs of cricket must come under radar.
** New Zealand whitewash Bangladesh

BDST: 1458 HRS, DEC 31, 2016
SR/SMS