Clawless tigers: Bangladesh and their struggle in Test cricket
Let us begin with a fact first. Out of their last 11 Test matches, the Bangladesh cricket team has won just a single Test match. In their last 11 Test matches, the Bangladeshi Tigers have lost 5 of them by an innings, and even the only victory that they managed to record was against a lowly-ranked Zimbabwe side.
Bangladesh lost by 209 runs.#BANvSL pic.twitter.com/OPATz0XzKF
— Bangladesh Cricket (@BCBtigers) May 3, 2021
Struggling to conquer the longest format
So, what has happened to Bangladesh cricket? Why have Bangladesh struggled in the purest format of the game? Let us start with their batting performance. In their last 4 Test match defeats (8 innings in total), the Bangladesh side has managed to cross the 300-run mark only once. That shows that the Bangladesh willow wielders have not been consistent enough to rake up the big scores for their side with the bat.
Another thing to note here is, only once in their last 4 Test match defeats (8 innings in total) have Bangladesh batted more than 100 overs. Test match cricket is a battle of endurance, and only when a team has a solid batting line up that is willing to bide its time out in the middle can emerge victorious. And, the fact that Bangladesh have struggled to bat even 100 overs in a Test match is a serious cause of concern.
Bowling issues
Now let us come to the bowling department. In their last 4 Test match defeats, the Bangladesh side has conceded a total in excess of 350 four times. And, this shows that their bowling attack lacks bite. The West Indies even chased down a target of 395 against Bangladesh, which is the 5th highest successful run chase in Test cricket history.
Also, in their last four Test match defeats, there have been just two batsmen who have scored a century for the Bangladesh side. Their batsmen have struggled to get going, and their top order has appeared fragile.
Yes, there is no doubt that Bangladesh have a lot of talented players in their arsenal. But then, these players have to step to the task and apply themselves with both bat and ball. For, if they fail to do so, then Bangladesh’s fortunes in Test cricket will continue to plummet further in the years to come.
