Bangladesh fail to read wickets properly
Mushfiq makes blunder to bowl first after winning toss
Sports Reporter
There is a mythif you cant differentiate the pitch from the outfield never opt to bowl in South African wicket. There is no guarantee that the myth will be true always, in cricket every team at least tries to follow the tradition to keep them in safe zone at least psychologically. Its certainly not that Mushfiqur Rahim didnt know that myth. He must know that when any South African pitch hasnt had a hint of grass, it should be a batting paradise.
South Africa unarguably is the hardest place to visit for any team in the world and for a team from sub-continent, it is hardest than anyone could anticipate. No sub-continent team as of now thrives in South African condition, let alone a series victory after the Proteas readmission into the Test cricket in 1992.
Bangladesh also have a slim chance given the condition but the mistake that Mushfiqur Rahim had done was a tougher pill to swallow. Even the South African captain Faf Du Plessis was astounded over the Bangladesh captains decision to field first. On an average the Senwes Park, Potchefstroom used to provide 600 runs in the first innings and then it starts breaking to give the spinners favour on day three. With some quality spinners in the rank, Bangladesh had the chance to exploit the wicket through tweakers if they batted first.
Bangladesh never avoided an innings defeat in South African soil, this time the record is believed to be broken given the visitors excellent record in Test cricket of late. The anticipation could have been brightened should Mushfiqur Rahim didnt make the mistake. He must have a reason to bowl first but the scenario of the match so far couldnt provide any idea as to why he sent South Africa in batting.
Bangladesh played three fast bowlers in Mustafizur Rahman, Shafiul Islam and Taskin Ahmed. The first two opened the bowling and both of them used the early moisture to swing the ball. Shafiul looked more dangerous than Mustafizur and seemed to have got a breakthrough. But Mushfiqur Rahim brought in Taskin Ahmed in place of Shafiul after he delivered just two overs. In doing so, he actually didnt allow Shafiul to get his full rhythm. Bowlers rhythm was imperative given there was no movement in the air or off the pitch. Bangladeshs seamers showed discipline upfront with the new ball but they have lacked wicket-taking threat. However after six overs spinner Mehedi Hasan Miraj was introduced and Bangladesh itself proved the decision to bowl first was wrong one.
South Africa openers who were unable to give the side a century stand in the last 18 innings this year finally approached to three figure mark by ending the first session on 99 for no loss. With Dean Elgar, they have a debutant in Aiden Markram who hardly got any dangerous spell from either fast bowler or spinners to be nervous on his debut match.
At home soil, on a designed wicket, Bangladesh actually didnt need of Plan B as the spinners took the job on their head. However Bangladeshs discomfort for a Plan B was widely exposed during the second Test when Australia stunned them with a strategic cricket. With Shakib Al Hasan in the side, Bangladesh couldnt restrict Australia and thus gave up the hopes of inflicting a whitewash on the Aussie.
On a foreign wicket and without Shakib, Bangladesh needed a Plan B. However as usually there was a lack in that arena. Mushfiqur Rahim and the team management probably didnt think about what to do if they dont get any breakthrough. Mushfiqurs impatience over the bowlers told the tale of the lack of Plan B actually.
Bangladesh had to take an extra bowler and batsman in absence of Shakib and the squad looked perfect apart from in one department. Rubel Hossain though didnt possess a great Test average in bowling, he had the ability to generate bounce and wicket-taking delivery in this sort of wicket.
The first days play however indicated either Bangladeshs team management failed to read the wicket or they didnt have the belief that they would win or draw the match. They probably are trying to avoid an innings defeat just. But the way the match is progressing, an innings defeat looks inevitable if batsmen dont prop up their game tremendously.
