Bangladesh getting white washed by under strength West Indies is done and dusted. We can only learn lessons from those mistakes and vow not making those mistakes again. The team is now set to fly out to New Zealand for playing ODI and T20 series. Immediately after returning from that series Bangladesh would tour Srilanka for playing tests. Australia, New Zealand and England would tour Bangladesh depending on Corona situation. Bangladesh would have to play in the qualifying round for the ICC T20 World scheduled to be held in India in late 2021. With such a busy cricket schedule Bangladesh has to achieve consistency and would require a number of quality players ready for taking up the challenges. 

New Zealand is passing through a purple patch of their cricket history. Not only in limited over cricket they are the most formidable team in test cricket as well. Playing against New Zealand in New Zealand is always a challenge especially for the teams from South Asian subcontinent. In the recent past teams like Pakistan and West Indies got blown away. The grounds are smaller, fast and bouncy wickets favor seam movement and swings prodigiously in the air. Strong wing makes batting a huge challenge. New Zealand possesses an army of fast bowling unit and hard-hitting batsmen. Bangladesh however, in the recent past Bangladesh had mixed experience of playing in New Zealand. Last tour had to be curtailed following the shooting incident at Christchurch. But in 2015 ICC world Bangladesh almost beat New Zealand. In any case this time the ODI and T20 series would present huge challenge for Bangladesh. 

What Went Wrong Against West Indies?
Bangladesh lost a great opportunity of maturing the world cup winning Under 19 team letting them play in the ODI series. Adding some players like Tamim, Mushfique , Mustafiz and Meraj that team could be set against West Indies in the ODI series . That could present greater options for Bangladesh in confirming ODI and T20 teams for the New Zealand series and other similar upcoming assignments. Bangladesh made a strategic mistake pressing Najmul Hossain Shanto batting at number three in both ODI and test series. There was a point of not risking Shakib batting at number three in ODI after his long layoff from international cricket. But that was true for all Bangladesh players. For favoring one fringe player Bangladesh should not have changed proven batting. Shakib should have batted at three and Mushfique at four in ODI in any case. In test Mominul, Mushfique and Shakib should have batted at number three, four and five . The gamble with Shanto did not work. In ODI since Soumya was available he could bat at three. The other option could be Mahmudullah batting at three. That could give right and left hand combination going in the top order. It was a great mistake pruning Mahmudullah from the test side. He is still among the top four Bangladesh batsmen in all format and if fit deserves walking into the national team in any format. Bangladesh made another mistake in not including quality all rounder Mosaddeq Hossain in the team. His proven all round ability could prove useful in test even. In the second innings of the Dhaka test either Liton or Mehedi Meraj could have batted at number three as Shanto option was not working. Bangladesh failing to chase 231 was a disgrace.

Looking at the busy cricket calendar of 2021 collection of 5 pacers for the test squad was all right. But we think Bangladesh test squad should have had a leg spinner. Two orthodox left arm spinners and two traditional off spinners lacked varieties. These days’ teams have leg spinners and left arm unorthodox spinners in most teams. Bangladesh team management in no way can justify playing with four spinners and a pacer in the first test at Chottogram. The best opition Abu Jayed Rahi and Mustafiz Playing at Chottogram cost Bangladesh the test. Team management learned nothing from the mistake at Chottogram and did same mistake at Dhaka appearing with one and a half pacer. Introducing Soumya was another blunder. Instead Saif Hasan should have played as opener and either Mustafiz or Ebadat should have played with one less spinner.  The team management did not go along the strategy of the authorities concerned. Bangladesh fielded poorly in tests. Team appeared lost in taking DRS. We think Mushfique could be better choice as wicket keeper for the tests as well. He could better guide Mominul. Many observed Bangladesh not using DRS properly was another reason for losing tests. 

The consequence of all the above mistakes led to humiliating test series whitewash against under strength West Indies. Bangladesh is the only team having BIG ZERO score in ICC Test Championship. 

What Should Be The Strategy For Team formation?
 In New Zealand Bangladesh would require much better all-round abilities. Top order batting must show resolve and consistency. Tamim and Liton Das look al right for opening the spot. We are not sure whether Sheikh Naim would be in the team. If he is there he can bat at three . Otherwise I would suggest Mahmudullah batting at three in both T20 and ODI. He is a quality player and in the absence of Shakib he should be there at the top bridging the link between Tamim and Mushfique in the batting at the top, as Mushfique in both format must bat at four. Parvez Emon  and Mosaddeq should bat at five and six. I would suggest Meraj and Saifuddin batting at seven and eight with Afif as reserve. Three pacers Rahi/ Taskin/ Shafiqur, Rubel and Mustafiz should make the team. Bangladesh must not hesitate playing with three genuine pacers and Saifuddin. That will be the most appropriate approach as Wickets favor pace. Given the present peak form of New Zealand Bangladesh must not be optimistic for winning even a single match. Staying safe there would be priority in 14 days mandatory quarantine. Performing to the best of the ability and learning would the next option. 

Bangladesh must forget the nightmare of test white wash and look forward.  Some players playing test only would stay behind. They must continue practicing . BCB must organize longer version matches as soon as possible on sporting surfaces for tuning the temperament. A hunt for a couple of quality leg spinner must be launched. It is a good sign that BCB President called five former Bangladesh Captains in BCB for discussion. They are in BCB for a while. They must be given specific responsibilities and made accountable. Hope BCB lives up to the upcoming challenges making and implementing appropriate perspective plans for sustainable success in cricket.  

BDST: 1421 HRS, FEB 18, 2021
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