DHAKA: After the disappointing performance of Bangladesh losing the Galle test by a massive margin of 259 runs, cricket admirers are looking towards improved performance in the Colombo test. It will incidentally be a significant milestone the 100th test of Bangladesh.

No one can deny that Bangladesh underperformed in Galle test. The difference between the new look Sri Lankan team and present Bangladesh team does not suggest for Bangladesh losing by such a huge margin. It is very difficult to assess what went wrong for Bangladesh crumbling in the second innings.

When Bangladesh started the fourth innings on the last morning it had all 10 wickets intact. The wicket was not a minefield. Sensible batting could earn Bangladesh an honorable draw. There was a definite lack of attitude and application. Five top order batsmen perished within the wink of an eye. Some of the dismissals would embarrass even school boys learning cricket. The same group of batsmen played much better against better bowling attack in New Zealand, England, and India in the recent past. There should be soul searching after the test series come what may in the remaining test at Colombo.

Everyone will agree that it was poor batting that let Bangladesh down. On the same surface where little-known Sri Lanka batsmen scored 494-run, Bangladesh in the first innings struggled to reach 312. That too happened after Tamim (57) and Soumya (71) put together a very impressive first wicket partnership. The situation could still more miserable if Mushfiqur Rahim (85) and Mehedi Miraz (41) could have not rescued Bangladesh from the desperate situation. Mominul, Mahmudullah, Shakib and the tail could do nothing. Sri Lanka also batted sensibly in the second innings extending the lead. The two senior batsmen -- Tharanga (115) and Chandimal (50*), who failed in the first innings, batted Bangladesh out of the game. Bangladesh, though, was not looking bad at stumps on day four at 67/0.

Tsunami struck right from the start of the 5th day morning when Soumya got out clean bowled on the very second ball. Mominul, Shakib, Tamim and Mahmudullah perished in no time. Mushfique again was seen in the rescue mission with Liton. He also could not stay long. It became impossible for Liton, Miraz and tail to resist the quality spin attack of Herath and co. Bangladesh succumbed to the 15th defeat of 17 tests against Sri Lanka.

In the two horses’ race, one wins and one loses. There is nothing wrong or unusual in it but the manner in which Bangladesh surrender beggar’s description. Definitely, the batsmen have better quality and experience to prove more competitive. We hope Bangladesh would bounce back in the Colombo test and give a better account of them.

Team management also owes an explanation why Bangladesh went out with three rookie pacers and two spinners attack while the home team destroyed Bangladesh with three spinners. An inclusion of Taijul could definitely make difference. Hathuru and Samaraweera have extensive knowledge of Sri Lankan cricket. Both played for Sri Lanka, both were top order batsmen. What kind of one to one talks they had with Bangladesh batsmen?

Bangladesh would now play its 100th test at Colombo from March 15. Imrul Kayes is already in Sri Lanka and will definitely play. There will be a huge dilemma whether to retain Mominul at number three. Soumya and Tamim gave a reasonable start in both the innings. We do not think it will be proper changing the opening combination. Replacing Mominul with Imrul may sound too harsh a decision. Little Mominul has failed in both innings. But he is too good a player to be written off so soon. But for the greater interest Mominul can be rested. We would suggest replacing struggling Mahmudullah with Sabbir. Mahmudullah is a quality player. But for a while, he is passing through a lean time. Either Mosaddek Hossain or Taijul must also be included in place of the third seamer.

We do not think everything is lost for Bangladesh. They can definitely bounce back learning lessons from their mistakes. 

Batsmen could have left alone many of the balls that got wickets. Several players got strangled down the leg side. This tendency evidenced their lack of playing longer version cricket even in the domestic circuit. Bangladeshi internationals mostly play ODI and T20s hence they cannot resist efforts putting bat to ball in every delivery. None but Mushfique and Miraz played like test batsmen in either innings. Liton looked OK in the second innings.

Better performance in Colombo test will put Bangladesh in better stead for the ODI and T20 series where Bangladesh is expected to be more competitive. Bangladesh did not bowl or field all that bad. It was only poor unimaginative batting that let them down. If it does not improve Bangladesh must seriously consider the performance of the coaching staff.

Bangladesh was destroyed by Lankan spinners, more specifically wily Herath. There must not be any excuse for not playing better against him on a not too bad surface. Perera and Sandakan are rookie bowlers. If Lankan spinners can make Bangladesh perspire why Bangladesh spinners could not bowl as good also? Mushfique looked feeling a bit, Taskin was not accurate. If Bangladesh still opts for Colombo Rubel or Rabbi must be considered.

BDST: 0917 HRS, MAR 13, 2017
SR