Bangladesh Cricket team got comprehensive white wash by New Zealand in three matches Alesha Mart ODI series just concluded at basin reserve, Wellington. In two nations derby winning and losing are normal conclusion. But the manner in which Bangladesh lost every match raised many fundamental questions. 

At University Oval Dunedin Bangladesh was crushed to 131 all out. At Basin Reserve Wellington Bangladesh scoring 154 all out (78* Riad alone scored) Bangladesh lost heavy by 164 runs. Scoring 271 /8 at Hagley Oval, Christchurch Bangladesh at some stage sensed victory. But letting it going out of the grasp Bangladesh lost heavy by 5 wickets. There cannot be any excuse to acclimatization with condition and adjusting to pacey, bouncy, swinging wickets . These are part of professional cricket and Bangladesh is in the big league for over two decades. The abysmal performance of Bangladesh has raised fundamental question. This is not the first a team from Bangladesh has gone to Kiwi land like “Alice In the Wonderland”. Bangladesh knew the condition of wickets and these days technology can be accessed for knowing weather condition of the venues. So, no excuses Bangladesh played poor cricket and demonstrated no planning, no strategy just abject surrender to vastly superior team.
Let us reflect a bit looking back in retrospect. The team had very limited preparation in Bangladesh suitable for very difficult assignments in challenging situation in New Zealand. Still a large enough squad of 20 players comprising of 7 pace bowlers were sent. Bangladesh spent two weeks in Quarantine at Christchurch. Then after relaxing a bit at heavenly Queenstown and practicing Bangladesh played the first ODI at University Oval Dunedin. 

Bangladesh Rocked at Dunedine.

We are aware that the wicket has bounce, has purchase for pacers, assist seam movement. Unfortunately, the sky was overcast and the wind was blowing. The small ground has fast outfield. Batsmen surviving the first 10 overs can set their bearings for batting with comfort. Bangladesh played ODIs there in the past. Sabbir Rahman scored a brilliant century last time when Bangladesh visited. Sabbir is still active. BCB could have cared to fine tune him and included in the squad, you need horses for the courses. BCB did not care. Bangladesh lost the toss and was asked to bat. Batting like raw novice Bangladesh was crushed to 131 all out. No batsman apart from Mahmudullah could even show the technique or temperament against fast furious Trent Boult, steady Neesham. The very first ball of Trent Boult moving prodigiously rocked Tamim sending cats among the mouses in the Bangladesh camp. The 1, 2.3 Tamim (13), Liton (19) and Soumya (o) triggered collapse from where team never recovered. Boult (4/27), Neesham (2/27) were the tormentors. New Zealand cakewalked scoring 132/2 in only 21.2 Overs. Bangladesh surprisingly appeared with two spinners and did not play the inform experienced Rubel Hossian. Off course there was no question of defending 131.

Tamim said after the match that Bangladesh batted poorly and could not execute the plan. What was the plan?

Bangladesh Lost Opportunity at Hagley Oval: 

A great opportunity came on the way at Hagley Oval for the team tigers. Batting first riding on two brilliant innings of flamboyant Tamim 78 (chanced his arm) and glittering 73* not out of Mithun produced a challenging score of 271/6. Mustafiz, Mahedy Hasan taking 3 quick wickets pushed Black Caps back to wall making it 53/3. Tow spinners Mehdies bowling at tandem for the first time in many attempts created real opportunity of pressing for a win. However, Tamim surpassingly did not attack bringing close in fielders, restricting opportunities for taking singles and rotating the strikes. Conway (72) and Latham (110) were given few ease chances. Fielding was extremely poor and catching was atrocious.  Bangladesh failing to avail opportunities against Latham and Neesham ultimately lost by 5 wickets as Kiwis cruised to 275/5 in 48.2 overs. 

Again, Rubel was ignored. Mustafiz took wickets but leaked too many runs. Again, Bangladesh lost early wicket and did not execute any plan for promoting a batsman of better technique. Bangladesh lost the series. Mushfique dropped a dolly behind the wicket of a Taskin delivery Mehedy missed an easy caught a bowled chance. Mahmudullah Mehedy Miraj, Mithun all dropped catches. No team can win matches fielding poorly and dropping catches. 

SUCH AN OPPORTUNITY FOR WINNING AGAINST TOP QUALITY New Zealand TEAM may not come again soon. A great opportunity was lost. 

Humiliation at Basin Reserve Wellington.

Bangladesh cricket was humiliated in the New Zealand capital on the historic day of golden Jubilee of Bangladesh Independence. Knowing fully well of the steep bounce and pace the wicket offers Bangladesh stuck to the policy of two spinners and three pacers. Off course finally Rubel was given a go. Taskin and Rubel bowling at pace on a juicy wicket rattled the Kiwis. Taskin bowled consistently at 140KMHplus and teased all batsmen. Rubel also matched with him. I have not as far as I can remember two Bangladeshi pacers bowling like this ever. The memories of Wasim Akram and Waqar Yunus flashed back in my memory. Mushhfique again dropped two catches, few other catches were dropped, some run out opportunities were lost. New Zealand recovered from a tight leash of 3/57. Again, Tamim allowed Conway and Latham building innings rotating strikes. After setting their foot firmly Conway (126) and Mitchell (110*) batted Bangladesh out of the match scoring 318/ 6. Rubel taking 3/70 underlined the mistake of not playing him in earlier matches. Taskin was very unlucky. As many as three catches were dropped of his bowling. Otherwise, New Zealand could be restricted below 250.

Bangladesh again batted poorly. Very hostile Mat Henry blew Tamim, Liton and Soumya away within the first 6 overs. Bangladesh was looking terrible at 3/26. It was well beyond the capabilities of Mushfique and Mithun to repair the innings. Mahmudullah appeared as the lone warrior. Playing a desperate T20 innings he remained unbeaten scoring 76. Bangladesh got bundled out for 154 losing huge by 164 runs.

A comprehensive White Wash humiliated Bangladesh on a day when Team Tigers could glorify them. Chances came their way but went wasted again for poor captaincy, atrocious catching.  At Basin Reserve Bangladesh should have appeared with four pacers and should have blooded Shoriful resting Mustafiz and retaining Saifuddin. 

Mushfique must seriously consider hanging his wicket keeping gloves and concentrate on batting. Tamim better should not entrusted with leading the team. He can even think of playing only Test Cricket. Bangladesh must no longer invest on Soumya until he adjusts his techniques. 

Bangladesh sent almost unprepared team to New Zealand. The team appeared to have very poor match planning. No homework was apparently done. The selection of playing XI in all three matches was flawed. Tamim led the team with lack of courage. Field setting and bowling handling were poor. Bangladesh fielded extremely poorly In batting Bangladesh did not have a Plan B. Finally, Bangladesh batsmen did not have the technique or temperament of playing against quality pace attack on bouncy moving surfaces. 

BDST: 1226 HRS, MAR 27, 2021
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