Bangladesh Cricket Team is now on downward slope. The abysmal performance of the team in all formats of international cricket continues. Apart from winning few ODI matches against below strength West Indies and weak Zimbabwe Bangladesh lost all matches against Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, West Indies (Tests) and New Zealand. Only couple of years back following admirable performance in ICC World Cup 2015 Bangladesh beat India, Pakistan South Africa in ODI series and won tests against Australia, England and Sri Lanka. What might have happened in between that has hastened the downfall of team tigers in all formats? This write up would attempt to explore reasons for the downfall.

Depletion Started From Change Of Leadership:
Enigmatic and inspiring leadership of Mashrafe inspired the rise of Bangladesh Cricket. Mashrafe Bin Mustafa spearheaded a very powerful team in ODI format. Ignoring the impacts several surgeries in both legs he led the team with courage and fortitude. He had an uncanny skill to extract the best of every soldier under his command and all would commit their best efforts for the success of the team. He once played four pace bowlers on less pace friendly wickets of Bangladesh and achieved success. Taskin, Mustafiz, Sabbir Nasir apart from four other top players Shakib, Mushfique, Tamim and Mahmudullah combined their efforts in one channel under his dynamic exemplary leadership. In ICC World Cup 2015 Bangladesh held in Australia New Zealand Bangladesh qualified for the quarter final for the first time. 

Many believed that only some controversial umpiring caused Bangladesh losing the quarterfinal against India at MCG. Following that Bangladesh whitewashed Pakistan, Won series against India and South Africa by identical margins of 2-1. World cricket started recognizing Bangladesh as formidable team in ODI format. During this time Bangladesh performed admirably in Asia Cup and other regional tournaments as well. Bangladesh was looking good during the first few matches of ICC world cup 2019 winning against South Africa and competing well against England and New Zealand. But midway through the performance slumped though Shakib played wonderfully well. Mashrafe was not fully match fit. The team management could softly advise him to rest from the last three matches letting Abu Jayed Rahi playing. That could lead to Bangladesh winning matches against Pakistan and New Zealand and qualifying for the knock out. No one talked with Mashrafe directly but back bitted. Mashrafe did not appear in any match for Bangladesh since then and downward trend set in. 

There could not be unnecessary interference in team management when Mashrafe led the side. In ODI and T20 Bangladesh achieved enviable successes. Mashrafe was not taken for tests for a long time. Sri Lankan coach Chndriaka Haturasinghe for some weird reasons developed strange relations with all five so-called Pancho Pandob (Five Musketeers). During a tour of Sri Lanka three of the five top players (Tamim, Mushfique and Mahmudullah) were asked to make their exit plan. Mashrafe did not agree and surprising everyone announced retirement from T20 International. This happened in the presence of BCB President Nazmul Hasan MP. 

BCB Did Not Carry Out Post Mortem Of Performance: 
BCB never did any authentic review or assessment of performance following poor performance. After 2019 the coaching staff was changed but the reasons of depletion of performance of the team after first three matches were not investigated. Many thoughts if intercepted with positive intent in careful manner during the ICC World Cup 2019 Bangladesh could have qualified for knock out round. Why and how Bangladesh got white wash against Sri Lanka under Tamim leadership? What were the reasons for Bangladesh getting white wash against Afghanistan in T20 series under Shakib leadership? Did anyone review or investigate? We knew very well Bangladesh would get blown away in tests against Pakistan and India on tour. How could BCB let Bangladesh play day night cricket at Eden Gardens against India. Many thought it was like letting lambs to be butchered. Bangladesh had no prior experience or exposure to day night cricket with pink ball. How could Bangladesh loose test match against Afghanistan at home against rookies Afghanistan? Did anyone care to review? All these contributed to the present abysmal state of Bangladesh team.

Bangladesh Is The Least Prepared Team During The COVID 
Apart from Bangladesh all other teams confirming Bio Security Bubbles prepared their teams in al formats. Bangladesh started going business as usual almost in every arears except cricket. With a bit of imagination Bangladesh could create biosecurity bubble say at Cox’s Bazar and let domestic cricket going. That could prepare the team well. BCB is not short of cash. We know how England did it and inviting West Indies, Pakistan and Australia launched the International cricket. We Know West Indies, New Zealand, Pakistan and Sri Lanka launched their domestic cricket. If BCB can start NCL now in Bangladesh when the second wave of COVID is developing into peak, why they were hibernating earlier? The under prepared Bangladesh team was shocked by below strength West Indies. Now the team is looking miserable in New Zealand. Bangladesh got humiliated in ODI series white wash and looking like getting white washed in T20 series as well. 

Something needs to be done too soon.  We must objectively assess what Bangladesh achieved from engagement of expensive foreign coaches? What they are delivering? After so many years why Bangladesh team has to struggle against quality pace attack on pacey bouncy wickets? Why they are so weak against leg spin? Why Bangladesh could now grow quality successors of Mashrafe, Shakib, Tamim, Mushfique and Mahmudullah?  If Under 19 team can win World cup and if women’s team can win Asia Cup why Bangladesh National team is sinking?  Why few green top pacey and bouncy wickets cannot be set up at least in three four venues of Bangladesh? Why Bangladesh cannot search for few quality leg spinners? All teams of ICC full members and even associate members have quality leg spinners except Bangladesh. 

BDST: 1150 HRS, MAR 30, 2021
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