BANGLADESH TOUR OF SOUTH AFRICA-2022: Bangladesh has paid the price for departing from a tried-and-true batting strategy.
Bangladesh’s defeat to South Africa in the recently finished two-match Test series has once again raised; the inevitable issue of whether the squad, despite gaining Test status in 2000; is still learning the ropes of the lengthier format.
Despite losing first-team regulars to the IPL, Mominul Haque’s team was riding high on confidence; after their maiden Test win over New Zealand in Mount Maunganui and their maiden; ODI series triumph over South Africa, the hosts pulled them back down to earth in the Test series.
Yes, given their achievements in New Zealand, there were great expectations; but did the tourists live up to their end of the bargain?
Bangladesh batted admirably for over four days in the first Test until the hosts came back; with their spin combo of Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer to halt the visitors’ momentum. Maharaj and Harmer appeared to have left an indelible impression on the visitors’ batting unit; as indicated by another rout in the second innings at Port Elizabeth.
As Bangladesh’s batting squad disintegrated like a pack of cards in the second innings at Durban; the arduous century of Mahmudul Hasan and the 20 wickets taken by their bowlers were swiftly forgotten.
Mominul will undoubtedly be frustrated that he did not follow coach Russell Domingo’s recommendation; to bat first in Durban, but it is understood that the team wanted to watch how the wicket behaved; before putting their hands up to bat.
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The question of whether they batted with purpose in the second innings of the opening Test; or even in the second Test, needs to be answered.
There was a lot of uproar when Bangladesh, a team that has grown up playing spin; lost all of their wickets to Maharaj and Harmer in the second innings; but history suggests that sub-continent teams struggle against spinners who impart overspin, which is not prevalent back home.
With his over spin, England’s Moeen Ali took India on a trip in 2018.
Surprisingly, their batting strategy in the second Test hinted that they had strayed; from the strategies that had helped them win in Mount Maunganui.
After their historic win in New Zealand, Bangladesh team director Khaled Mahmud said; “We always intended to take the game deep and that is why; we were successful.” However, it did not appear that tourists; in Port Elizabeth were following in South Africa’s footsteps and paying the price as a result.
Despite scoring fifty in the first innings of the second Test, Mushfiqur Rahim was chastised for his ill-timed reverse sweep. After the game, he had Mominul Haque’s support to back up his shot-making instincts; and he is unlikely to abandon his antics just yet.
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After the South Africa series, Mominul may be made the scapegoat; although it is unclear whether this will address the situation. Bangladesh will remain a work in progress on the Test field unless the batsmen, particularly the seniors, take greater responsibility; and incidents like those at Mount Maunganui will be the exception rather than the rule.