The performance of Bangladesh Cricket in the recently played tri nation ODI series, bilateral test and T20 series against Sri Lanka is definitely not fitting to its emerging state as a highly competitive team at home in all formats. Senior players could not play consistently well, new players rushed to the side failed to give good accounts of themselves, injury to key players hurt the team badly.
In this sad state team Bangladesh embarrasses new challenge of yet another tri nation T20 tournament featuring strong India and changed Sri Lanka. It must not be expected that Bangladesh would turn around so soon and win the tournament. But at the same time it would be expected that team plays to its potential.
It was proved beyond doubt that Bangladesh did a great risk of playing without a full time formal head coach. Bangladesh failed to engage a head coach following resignation in controversial manner of former head coach Chadika Haturasinghe. He joined Sri Lanka. The other team Zimbabwe had Heath Streak, former Bangladesh bowling coach as its head coach.
Throughout the recent international engagement Bangladesh looked like a disjointed unit devoid of ambition, planning and strategy. BCB team management made too many experiments and gamble. These did not pay off and team tigers absorbed ignominy of defeats without even showing stomach to fight.
The million adoring fans of Bangladesh sincerely desires it darling son charismatic Mashrafee back at the helm. His return would infuse new lease of life for sure. Return of Shakib Al Hasan would boost the moral as well. The balance of the team was lost for the absence of the best all rounder of all format.
In business as usual Bangladesh should look a much better team if Mashrafee agree to come out of retirement and Shakib is back with a bang. Bangladesh desperately needs a high quality head coach and a far better batting coach. It is well beyond the grasp of ordinary Khaled Mahmud Sujon.
It has been proved beyond doubt that experimenting with two many new players in T20 series was counter productive .Most of them were not ready for the graduation too early. It also cast some dark shadow over the potential future as quality player entering into national team. We could not find justification why Mominul, Anamul and Taskin could not play in T20 series. Hope BCB realizes the mistakes and never repeat these as raw novices.
Mashrafee looks capable for absorbing the rigors of 50 overs ODI. He himself remains a high quality pace bowler moving ball both ways and pitching consistently at length. No other pacers yet could to attain similar control like Mashrafee. Mash encourages on and all around him. Especially new players find in him a great mentor and an ideal roll model. Hope Mashrafee would respond to the call of the nation. Bangladesh needs him in very difficult journey of recovery.
Injury to three in one player Shakib was a telling blow for the team tigers. He is a high quality all rounder whose presence gives right balance .He can bat at any position from 3-5, produce wicket taking magic deliveries and even take spectacular catches. Even two players together can not fill the void when Shakib is not in the side. Tamim was temporarily out of form which hurt Bangladesh. Hope he gets back his winning touch soon. Soumya played one good innings and one terrible one. Anamul must be persited as an option. Bangladesh desperately need a top quality assured performer at number three position.
Talented MominulHaq has done wonderfully well in test. He is no stranger in shorter versions ODI and T20 as well. He has solid technique and has wider range of strokes at his disposal .It would far better playing him at number three in all formats than experimenting with different players at different time. Shakib, Mushfique and Mahmudullah would continue providing solidity to Bangladesh batting.
Siafuddin must be given time for growing as pace bowling all rounder. Mashrafee if he returns is still good for quick 20-30 runs. I would recommend for AfifHossain ,Mustafiz, Taskin, Rubel filling the remaining positions . Afif proved his class in ICC Under19 as a maturing all rounder. He must be given time to settle in his role .Nazmulopu also looked good in two match appearance. Hope a regrouped team tigers would regroup and recovers winning habit soon.
Bangladesh must forget the recent past as bad dream. It happens with all the teams at some stage or other. Many matters are beyond control and those manageable must be managed with any fear or favor for anyone. Hope admirers of team tigers would have patience.
BDST: 1111 HRS, FEB 21, 2018
SMS
