Combination of poor vision, flawed strategy, diabolic stereotyped execution by Bangladesh led to West Indies turning the table in the Chattogram test.

Bangladesh did not take any preparation at all for playing the test series. Over the past year none of the players played any longer version cricket anywhere. BCB did not think it appropriate for exposing its team to few red ball 4-5 days cricket. White ball ODI and T20 at domestic level only miss led BCB in making inappropriate squad for the test series. Experienced proven player like Mahmudullah Raid was pruned from test squad, five pacers were included in the squad knowing well that Chattogram and Dhaka wicket would not be that pace friendly. Finally, for Chattogram test possibly not 100% fit Shakib was risked.  The consequence is that Bangladesh lost from winning position letting West Indies off the hook. Shakib aggravated his injury and would miss the Dhaka test. Mustafiz lost his confidence. Nazmul Hossain failed to impress creating issue for top order batting. Bangladesh is in the risk of losing the series and getting Brown Washed. 

Has Our Cricket Moved? 
In 2018 full strength West Indies team was whitewashed in Bangladesh tour. In 2021 is depleted West Indies pay back on own coin will that prove Bangladesh cricket advanced under inept Talk shop Management. We can grantee that following appropriate strategy even the Victorious Under 19 team could present better challenge to touring team in ODI series and from there a much more potential test squad could be raised. None of the established players excepting Mominul could deliver in Chattogram. Shakib is off course exception. He is head and shoulder above all. Unfortunately, he was not 100% match fit to start with and limped out of the test and the series. The other gain was excellent and expected all round performance of Mehedi Meraj (century and 8 wickets). The inexperience of Bangladesh remaining consistent over 5 days in competitive cricket is a testimony of poor vision and management of longer version cricket in Bangladesh. Our test cricket has not moved even an inch under lopsided BCB management. 

Bangladesh Should Take Example of Other Teams. 
What made Bangladesh including 5 pacers in 18 members squad? How could Bangladesh prune Mahmudullah Riad from test squad? His recent form even in T20 and ODI was way above most of the Bangladeshi players. We have seen Mustafiz developing new skills regained wicket taking skill in limited over cricket. He however is always reluctant for longer version cricket. He must not have risked for test and that too as lone warrior. Any two with Abu Jayed Rahi as the first choice and one among Ebadat, Taskin and Hasan Mahmood could be much better choice. In sub-continent two more tests were going on at Chennai and Rawalpindi. Pakistan just completed the series playing with three pacers – Shaheen Shah Afridi, Hasan Ali and Faheem Ashraf and two spinners Nauman Ali and Yasir Shah; South Africa also played three pacers and two spinners. At Chennai England would possibly win against India today with Anderson, Archer and Stokes (three pacers) Leach and Bess (Spinners). India played Jasprit Bumrah and Ishant Shrama. Bangladesh instead reinvented 1970 strategy of India playing four spinners and that strategy boomerang. Pakistan brought back Fawad Alam and met with immediate success. Bangladesh ignored experienced players like Mahmudullah irresponsibly and suffered ignominy. Now playing him at Dhaka is also not possible for Bio Security bubble protocol.

What Should Be Bangladesh Team Composition? 
Tamim did not field for most of the time on day five of Chottogram test. Hope he has no major issue. Other opener Shadman possibly does not also have injury concern. At this moment they are the best opening pair. Tamim would definitely return among runs sooner or later. Shadman looked ok in the first innings. Experimenting with Nazmul Shanto at three pushing proven specialist Mominul to four and Mushfique to five was a big blunder. Nazmul failed in all three ODIs and sticking with him was flawed strategy. Mominul must bat at three and Mushfique at four. Unfortunately, Shakib cannot play and Mahmudullah cannot be included in the present situation. The option left is choosing one from Mithun and Yasir Rabbi. Considering the experience of Mithun we would suggest for him playing though there may be temptation for playing Yasir. Liton, Mehedy should bat at six and seven. In the absence of Shakib, Taijul would spearhead spin attack in association with Mehedi Miraj. Absence of Mahmudullah would deprive Bangladesh not only from his usual contribution with the bat but also from his Golden Arm bowling option. I am not sure whether Dhaka wicket would offer more for the pacers. If so Bangladesh may consider three pacers Rahi, Mustafiz and Hasan Mahmood or going with two of them and Nayeem as the third spinner. I would recommend for Mushfique back to his additional role as Wicket Keeper.

Bangladesh Must Go All Out For The Win.
Bangladesh playing four tests of ICC Test Championship lost all four. Getting an understrength West Indies Bangladesh had great opportunity for opening the account. One opportunity is gone. At Dhaka they will get another opportunity. Bangladesh must not leave any stone unturned. Off course it would not be easy to subdue buoyant Caribbean’s having the taste of blood. Bangladesh cannot win the series in any case.  There is no reason why Bangladesh cannot bounce back if it plays to full potential. If Bangladesh cannot win against depleted West Indies, they cannot win against any team of the top ten ICC members in near future. Let us hope that all ends well for Bangladesh. 

BDST: 1220 HRS, FEB 09, 2021
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