Bangladesh’s Dismal Performance in Test Cricket

 

It has been 24 years since, Bangladesh started playing Test Cricket, a substantial time period, however the team has struggled consistently in these two decades, the big names which have brought them laurels in 50 overs and 20 overs cricket have also not been able to change the fortunes in longest version and the youngsters does not provide enough promises, what ails Bangladesh cricket and is there a way ahead ? , we try to explore these answers

Seniors are in twilight of their careers 

148 Tests, 21 wins, 109 losses and 18 Draws that is how Bangladesh’s Test score sheet looks like, more than two decades after a much-awaited Test baptism. It would be fair to say that the team has not lived up to the expectations of its supporters. While it is common place for newcomers to grapple with the rigors of Test cricket—a format widely regarded as the most arduous—Bangladesh's struggles have transcended mere teething problems. An atmosphere of despondency envelops the team whenever they take the field, particularly in recent times. Even a recent victory in Pakistan cannot obscure their inability to compete as a formidable cricketing nation.

If we analyze the record of every Test playing nation after first 148 Tests, we can easily evaluate where Bangladesh Cricket stands: -

 

Sl no	Team	Span	Tests	Wins	Losses	Draw/Tie	% Win	% Loss
1	Australia	1878-1932	148	68	49	31	45.94	33.10
2	England	1878-1925	148	65	55	28	43.91	37.16
3	South Africa	1889-1960	148	29	74	43	19.59	50.00
4	West Indies	1928-1972	148	46	45	56	31.08	30.40
5	India	1932-1976	148	25	60	63	16.89	40.54
6	Pakistan	1952-1984	148	33	36	79	22.29	24.32
7	New Zealand	1930-1982	148	13	67	68	8.78	45.27
8	Sri Lanka	1982-2004	148	37	57	54	25.00	38.51
9	Zimbabwe	1992-2023	118	13	76	29	11.01	64.40
10	Bangladesh	2000-2023	148	21	109	18	14.18	73.64
11	Afghanistan	2018-2023	09	03	06	00	33.33	66.67
12	Ireland	2018-2023	09	02	07	00	22.22	100.00

 

Among the teams that have played substantial cricket a comparative study after 148 Tests tells the complete story. (Zimbabwe has played 118 Tests).  While Australia, England, West Indies, Pakistan and Sri Lanka have superior record in first 148 Tests, Afghanistan and Ireland is new entrants and hasn’t played much. Among remaining teams South Africa had won 27 Tests and have drawn 41 Tests, Zimbabwe with limited resources and mass exodus of players have less percentage of losses.

 

Bangladesh has always mentioned how poor India and New Zealand were in early years. But a look at their performance shows that both of them did better. India won 25 Tests and lost 60 Tests and was superior to Bangladesh’s 21 wins and 109 losses. New Zealand on the other hand won 13 Tests and lost 67. Bangladesh might have won more Tests than New Zealand (21), but they have lost staggering 109 Tests, 42 more what New Zealand had lost after 148 Tests.

 

Graph1 – Most losses after 148 Tests

 

 

Bangladesh’s entry to Test cricket was widely celebrated but they have miserably failed to live up to the expectations. The sorry state of their Test cricket is reflected in their inconsistent performance.

 

What accounts for their lackluster performance? The foremost reason for their underachievement lies in their abysmal pace bowling. Throughout their brief history in Test cricket, Bangladesh has failed to cultivate a competent Test bowler. A comparison with their Asian counterparts and Zimbabwe reveals that every team, with the exception of India, has boasted at least one world-class pace bowler in their formative years. While India did grapple with its pace attack, they offset this deficiency with a cadre of high-quality spinners and a robust batting lineup.

 

Bangladesh had the glimpse of the pace sensations in form of Mashrafe Mortaza, Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rehman but they have been short lived. A look at their top pacers in Test matches will tell the true story:

Highest wickets in Test matches by Bangladesh pacer

No	Name	Tests	Wickets	Average	Career Span
1	Mashrafe Mortaza	36	78	41.52	2001-2009
2	Shahadat Hossain	38	72	51.81	2005-2015
3	Ebadot Hossain	20	42	47.14	2019-2022
4	Tapash Baisya	21	36	59.36	2002-2005
5	Rubel Hossain	27	36	76.77	2009-2020

 

Worst Averages by Bangladeshi bowlers (with 35 Test wickets)

The dearth of good pace bowlers has resulted in a facile team record overseas. Induction of pace icons like Courtney Walsh and Allan Donald as bowling coaches have paid dividends but it has been widely acknowledged that this would require persistent effort for a long period of time.

 

Bangladesh’ brittle batting order has been another area for concern. With Tamim Iqbal, Shakib al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim, the three seniors being in twilight of their respective careers, it has been disheartening to witness the dearth of young batters who can take the Test team into new era.

 

Let’s look at the table underneath; it shows runs by Bangladeshi batters in last 6 years

Time Span (1.1.2018 to 1.11.2024) Minimum 10 Tests as batsmen/allrounder

 

No	Name	Tests	runs	Average	100
1	Mominul Haque	42	2511	34.39	7
2	Mushfiquar Rahim	36	2491	42.22	6
3	Litton Das	40	2446	35.44	4
4	Najmul Shanto	32	1736	28.93	4
5	Mehindy Hasan Miraz	39	1525	24.59	1
6	Tamim Iqbal	18	1248	37.81	2
7	Shakib Al Hasan	20	1015	30.75	0
8	Mahmudullah	15	983	42.73	4
9	Shadman Islam	19	813	23.22	1
10	Madhmud Joy	15	714	25.50	1
11	Zakir Hasan	12	578	25.13	1
12	Nurul Hasan	10	393	21.83	0
13	Mohammad Mithun	10	333	18.50	0

 

 

Youngsters like Shadman Islam have failed to live upto expectations 

The above record show what is on offer from Bangladesh’s young brigade.The point of concern is these players have been performing well at the First Class level but have not been able to face the quality on offer at the International level. Bangladesh is no new to the International Cricket; in fact today they have the fourth biggest cricket market and huge potential for the future. In spite of these facts, the new generation has not lived up to the expectations

One of the major causes why Bangladesh has dawdled in Test cricket is the sorry state of their First class cricket. The Test player’s seldomly participate in the Domestic competition and there is little to encourage them. Few years ago Mohammad Isam, a renowned cricket journalist from Bangladesh touched on some of these frailties. Lack of good pitches which are either slow or lifeless or raging turners have not provided good contest between bat and ball. It is a prime reason why Bangladesh has been unable to produce quality pacers and have a miserable record outside Bangladesh, in Test cricket.

 

Lack of match awareness is another problem which has plagued Bangladeshi batsmen for long period of time. The youngsters have been unable to read the game situation and thrown the wicket when the team needed them desperately. While the talent of these players cannot be questioned but there are doubts on their temperament. These players lack hunger and desire to grind out for five days, the collapse of both the innings in single day against South Africa at home was not one of those days, and it was earlier repeated against India at Kanpur.

Numerous recommendations have been proffered by experts over the years, yet certain crucial steps must be implemented by the board to ensure the advancement of the Test team.

1. Enhancement of Pitches: While spin bowling remains Bangladesh's primary strength, and it is entirely justifiable to prepare spin-friendly surfaces at the Test level, it is imperative that domestic competition pitches facilitate the full spectrum of cricketing skills. This will nurture the development of batsmen while allowing both pacers and spinners to effectively showcase their talents.
2. Identification of 6-8 Test Specialist Batsmen: Although T20 cricket generates substantial revenue, if Bangladesh aspires to emerge as a serious Test nation, it must identify and cultivate a cadre of Test specialist batsmen distinct from those in shorter formats.
3. Development of a Pace Attack: Courtney Walsh and Allan Donald have made commendable strides in this area, yielding promising results before the initiative was prematurely curtailed. It is essential to identify potential fast bowlers at the grassroots level and meticulously nurture them into proficient pacers.

While there are myriad other areas for enhancement, these three priorities must be at the forefront of the board's strategic planning, ensuring that Bangladesh evolves into a competitive Test team in the future.