There are games that thrill, and then there are Test matches that sear themselves into memory.
Players have spoken publicly about the need for proper nutrition, functioning gyms, better training grounds, and a stable domestic league.
Yet, despite the individual brilliance, murmurs of doubt persisted over Bangladesh’s approach, particularly their intent, or the lack thereof, in pursuing a win.
If there were still doubters of Test cricket's enduring magic in the age of T20 fireworks, South Africa’s thrilling five-wicket victory over defending champions Australia offered the most poetic rebuttal.
Faruque Ahmed ascended to the presidency of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) after the July uprising, with the onus of reforming the board from the inside. But his tenure ended in a little over nine months before the reform initiative could even begin.
“If we can’t stick to our planning even against lower-ranked sides, how can we expect growth in Test cricket? I’m not against offering spin-friendly conditions, but why against Zimbabwe? Why did we lose confidence after one loss?”
Facing a must-win Test in Chattogram, Bangladesh and Mushfiqur battle to revive their struggling campaign.
The situation, both on and off the field, is disheartening. The national team’s struggles, coupled with ongoing match-fixing allegations and administrative chaos in the domestic arena, mirror the dysfunction of the previous regime Faruque promised to reform.
There are games that thrill, and then there are Test matches that sear themselves into memory.
Players have spoken publicly about the need for proper nutrition, functioning gyms, better training grounds, and a stable domestic league.
Yet, despite the individual brilliance, murmurs of doubt persisted over Bangladesh’s approach, particularly their intent, or the lack thereof, in pursuing a win.
If there were still doubters of Test cricket's enduring magic in the age of T20 fireworks, South Africa’s thrilling five-wicket victory over defending champions Australia offered the most poetic rebuttal.
Faruque Ahmed ascended to the presidency of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) after the July uprising, with the onus of reforming the board from the inside. But his tenure ended in a little over nine months before the reform initiative could even begin.
“If we can’t stick to our planning even against lower-ranked sides, how can we expect growth in Test cricket? I’m not against offering spin-friendly conditions, but why against Zimbabwe? Why did we lose confidence after one loss?”
Facing a must-win Test in Chattogram, Bangladesh and Mushfiqur battle to revive their struggling campaign.
The situation, both on and off the field, is disheartening. The national team’s struggles, coupled with ongoing match-fixing allegations and administrative chaos in the domestic arena, mirror the dysfunction of the previous regime Faruque promised to reform.
He is five Tests away from becoming the first Bangladeshi cricketer to reach the 100-Test milestone — a landmark achievement. But milestones alone cannot justify selection if current form continues to deteriorate.
The latest slip-up came courtesy of Zimbabwe, who secured a gripping three-wicket win in fading light -- an outcome that, in truth, should never have been on the cards.
