The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has for long been mulling over a proposal to split the squads of the Bangladesh team across the formats, especially in Test cricket. There has been no tangible sign of change, however, for so many days.
But in the wake of the shocking losses in three successive Tests in India and Pakistan, the question that has resurfaced in the country’s cricketing arena is this: is a change in the formation of the Bangladesh Test team on the cards? This time, the results of the Test matches bear significance, especially for those who were part of the World Test Championship (WTC) launched by the International Cricket Council (ICC). After consulting the member countries and on the basis of an agreement with them, the ICC has adopted a new concept after drawn-out discussions, under which they attempted to bring back the golden days of Test cricket. The world’s apex cricket body introduced the World Test Championship with the nine top-ranked teams, which will play on a home-and-away basis. The two teams earning the highest points will meet in a final clash to determine the champion. The implementation of the WTC started with the England-Australia Ashes series last year. The part involving Bangladesh has also started with their last India tour.
Bangladesh went to tour India last November to play a two-Test series but they lost this series in an utterly shocking manner. Of these, they would have lost their second and last Test but first Day-Night (pink ball) Test at the historical Eden Gardens in Kolkata by two days. However, it finally ended on the very third day. There were huge festivities surrounding the Test as the newly-elected BCCI President Sourav Ganguly arranged it on the eve of both (India and Bangladesh) teams' stepping into their maiden Day-Night Test. It had been organised to strengthen the bilateral relations of the two neighbouring countries. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee were invited along with players of the Bangladesh inaugural Test and other dignitaries belonging to different disciplines of the host country. But the performance of the Bangladesh side spoiled the festive mood as the visitors conceded defeat by two-and-a-half days, actuating the BCB to rethink their future in Test cricket.
The recent results in the Tests, which were part of the WTC, have impelled the board to take measures so that it can bring about a significant development in the players and their results in Test Cricket. In that respect, it is planning to reshuffle the Test squad by injecting talented players and attempting to develop the standard of the Test players apart from the other formats of the games. BCB President Nazmul Hassan Papon gave an indication of the imminent changes in the planning for the Test squad, which might begin with the upcoming home series against Zimbabwe, though the result of the one-off Test—such as the Test against Afghanistan—would not affect the points table or rankings.
“The Test result in Pakistan is very much disappointing. Winning the Under-19 World Cup is different, so I don’t mix this with it. In the series we played since the last World Cup, I couldn’t match it with the previous Bangladesh team. We’ve had series wins against India, Pakistan and South Africa. We beat Australia and England in Tests. I personally said that in their mindset, attitude and games, I couldn’t find any similarity with the Bangladesh team. It’s different and very much shocking. Obviously, we’ve got to be tough,” said Hassan.
“We’ve got to work on it but I’m saying we’ve to be consistent. You see our game against Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, tri-series, Pakistan, or even against India. There is no trend of development with the progress of time. Obviously, it’s a matter of concern for us,” Hassan told media-persons.
“The delight generated by the World Cup victory will end within a couple of days. Therefore, talk about the national team will come to the fore. It’s time to talk with all, regardless of whether they are players, the coaching staff or the management. It’s necessary to know in detail where the problem lies. Tough decisions are likely,” he added.