DHAKA: A large contingent of Bangladesh Cricket family returned from Cricket Safari of New Zealand getting comprehensively whitewashed. It also had lost all matches in New Zealand in previous visits.

Bangladesh, however, twice whitewashed New Zealand at home in ODI series earlier. Based on recent improved performances of Bangladesh in international cricket, it was not unrealistic that cricket admirers expected competitive cricket from the boys this time at least in ODI series.

New Zealand, of course, is much higher than Bangladesh in ICC ranking in all formats. Moreover, the wickets and conditions of New Zealand are so different than Asian subcontinent that all visiting teams except Australia struggle in adjusting there. Given all these, it is frustrating noting the overall performance of Bangladesh as unprofessional.

The team, upon returning Bangladesh, would have to nurse five (Mashrafe, Mushfique, Kayes, Mominul and Mustafiz) leading players of the team for their injuries. It is not very clear yet whether all of them would be match fit before the very important test match against India next month and Sri Lanka tour soon after.

The whitewash in ODI series has closed the difference with 8th ranked Pakistan such that Pakistan may soon overtake Bangladesh. If Bangladesh cannot win few ODIs soon it may sink further and may have to appear for qualification matches against top associate countries to play the next World Cup.  In test and T20I, Bangladesh lies at rock bottom.

Preparation Was Very Poor: 

BCB was not unaware of the level of challenges that Bangladesh were approaching in New Zealand tour. Can we say the preparation of Bangladesh was at all appropriate? The domestic cricket that preceded New Zealand tour was scandalous BPL 2016, useless tournament to Bangladesh’s cause.  There were no arrangements for quality longer version games, no arrangements for letting the players playing on hard bouncy sporting wickets. Head Coach Chandika Hathurusingha was allowed staying out of Bangladesh without judging players or mentoring them. He could not witness the performances of contending players. His task, being an important selector, was more pronounced. Yet when he reportedly dictated team selection ignoring many better performing players like Abdur Razzak, Nasir Hossain, Al Amin, Shahriar Nafis and Arafat Sunny, media criticized bitterly. Many raw and less experienced players were preferred in a very difficult tour. The largest squad of 23 players was sent on a very expensive tour. A very costly inappropriate conditioning camp was organized in Hathurusingha’s adopted city, Sydney. It ultimately proved that the camp did not benefit Bangladesh team at all. The wickets and condition of New Zealand are very different than the Sydney situation. Why could Bangladesh not organize such conditioning camp in New Zealand?

Bangladesh played a total of nine matches -- 3 ODIs, 3 T20s and 2 tests apart from a practice match. Bangladesh lost all nine matches.  We cannot accept that quality-wise Bangladesh team was any way inferior to the Kiwis. What the players lacked were attitude, temperament, and consistency. Bangladesh bowled admirably well in almost all matches creating opportunities. But batsmen especially the senior players failed at critical stages for converting the opportunities to match winning performances. Bangladesh also fielded extremely poorly dropping many catches. If fielders could support bowlers and batsmen could bat without getting panicked Bangladesh could win at least One ODI, One T20 and draw both the tests.

Positives: 

Finding a right combination of new ball attack (Taskin, Rubel, Rabbi and Subashis) is one of the rare positives of the tour. When fit again Mashrafe and Mustafiz would be added the pace attack can win more matches in shorter version and prove competitive in tests. But for their sake, some fast bouncy tracks must be laid in Bangladesh. Soumya getting back his Midas touch is also an achievement. Miraz matured in bowling. But his batting is a matter of worry. Mushfique and Kayes showed exemplary commitments braving their injuries. Unfortunately, similar commitments were missing from Tamim and Shakib. Shakib, however, had some major individual milestone achievements. But he failed to appear as match saver in both tests throwing away his wicket. Sabbir matured as a batsman but fielded poorly. Mahmudullah had a poor series. His bowling was rarely used. Nurul Hasan and Nazmul Hossain looked impressive on debut.

What Coaches Do? 

Highly paid Bangladesh head coach himself is a batting coach, he has managed to add compatriot Samaraweera as batting coach yet Bangladesh batted poorly. The players lacked test temperament. They looked physically drained out and fatigued.  It is understandable that batsmen lacked skills and technique of batting on fast bouncy tracks. But why the coaches could not let them practice on a simulated situation? Why some practice sessions in New Zealand could not be organized on wickets like those?

Bangladesh has a fielding coach but fielding in this series was, perhaps, the worst in recent times. Head Coach cannot complain about squad selection or the Playing-11 selection, as there is an allegation that his likings and disliking was given priority. He masterminded omission of Nasir, Al-Amin, Abdur Razzak, Arafat Sunny and Shahriar Nafis from the squad. A utility player Majid was sent back from Australia. Nasir and Majid could be useful when Kayes, Mominul, and Mushfique got injured. The positive influence of icon Courtney Walsh was evident as all bowlers bowled well adjusting to conditions better than many visiting teams. In such situation head coach, must own responsibility and explain. There is no point spending huge money of tax payers on non-performing international coaching stuff.

Way Forward

Cricket is a symbol of national unity now. The entire nation gets excited when Bangladesh plays international cricket. Success and failures have equal positive and negative impacts. Bangladesh cricket in such scenario requires completely professional experienced management. BCB must not be let to talk shops shallow-vision persons.

Bangladesh would play its lone test against India in India for the first time in February. India is now number one test playing country. Bangladesh would visit Sri Lanka and South Africa and host Australia. In between, they will participate in the Champions Trophy. We are not sure whether Kayes, Mushfique, Mominul and Mustafiz would be match fit so soon. The absence of Mustafiz was keenly felt in the second test. Playing India in India is a huge challenge even for teams like Australia and South Africa. Cricket Australia has a special plan for its visit to India and has started doing extensive home works. Hope the large contingent of BCB officials in safari in New Zealand could understand the inadequacies. If we cannot drastically overhaul domestic format and structure of cricket, set up at least 3-4 hard bouncy wickets for practicing, make selection process transparent there are possibilities that Bangladesh may lose all matches on tour and home matches against mighty Australians.

The first suggested change must be going back to well-practiced selection process taking off head coach and team manager from the selection process. Director (Cricket Operations) must be allowed to exercise his authority without interference. Senior Officials must stay away from day to day operations.

BDST: 1518 HRS, JAN 24, 2017
SR/SMS