Tigers’ nine previous firsts
Today, Bangladesh will set off on a mission to do what they have never done before – win the first match played against an opposition. The Tigers were the whipping boys in nine previous such matches, but having played 112 more matches than rookies Afghanistan, they will be the favourites over the next five days.We take a look back at the Tigers’ nine previous maiden Tests against oppositions over the first two years as a Test team:
VS INDIA (DHAKA – NOVEMBER 10, 2000)
After being granted Test status in June 2000, Bangladesh played their inaugural Test against India in November of that year. The match was believed to be an opportunity for Indian batsmen to achieve new heights and set new Test records. Surprisingly, and to the credit of the first 11 Bangladeshis who adorned the white jersey, even as late as the third day, the game could still have gone in the Tigers' favour with India struggling at 366 for seven after Bangladesh had piled up an unexpected score of 400 in the first innings with Aminul Islam scoring a century. However, Bangladesh slumped to 91 all out on the fourth day and India secured a nine-wicket victory.
VS ZIMBABWE (BULAWAYO – APRIL 19, 2001)
When Bangladesh first met Zimbabwe in the longer format of the game it was Bangladesh's second Test while Zimbabwe were playing their 49th. And experience-wise, Zimbabwe -- who were a much stronger side than the Zimbabwe we know today -- were clear favourites. Bangladesh were comprehensively beaten by an innings and 32 runs but the only highlight for the Tigers was that Javed Omar, with an unbeaten 85, became only the third cricketer to carry his bat through an innings in his debut Test.
VS PAKISTAN (MULTAN – 29 AUGUST, 2001)
When Bangladesh first met Pakistan in Tests, just the fact that Pakistan were playing their 279th Test while Bangladesh were playing just their fourth was enough to convey the gulf in experience between the sides, as well as Bangladesh's slim chances. The outcome was not shocking. Bangladesh lost by an innings and 264 runs as Pakistan achieved their 80th win in Test cricket while Bangladesh were left waiting for their first.
VS SRI LANKA (COLOMBO – SEPTEMBER 6, 2001)
Mohammad Ashraful will remember the date sixth of September, when Bangladesh met Sri Lanka for the first time in Tests, vividly. Ashraful, at the age of 17, became the youngest player to score a hundred on Test debut. But it was his 114 off 212 balls that was the only positive for the Tigers from this match as the visitors were thrashed by an innings and 137 runs.
vs New Zealand (Hamilton – Dec 18, 2001)
Even after rain washed out the first two day's play completely, it was not enough for a side like Bangladesh playing in just their eighth Test to avoid defeat against New Zealand, who were playing their 292nd Test. New Zealand won by an innings and 52 runs to celebrate their 48th victory.
VS SOUTH AFRICA (EAST LONDON – OCTOBER 18, 2002)
When Bangladesh stepped on to Buffalo Park in East London for their 14th Test and first against South Africa, they were facing an opposition that had won more than five times the Tests that the Tigers had actually played. There was also the matter of the pacy conditions and just the overall superiority of the opposition. The Mark Boucher-led Proteas did not give the rookies a sniff, piling on 592 for four and winning by an innings and 107 runs.
VS WEST INDIES (DHAKA – DECEMBER 8, 2002)
Bangladesh were totally outclassed by West Indies when the two sides first met in the longest format. An innings and 310-run hammering at the Bangabandhu National Stadium spoke of the magnitude of the defeat. The result probably looks less humiliating when the fact that West Indies were playing their 392nd Test while Bangladesh were playing just their 16th is considered, but the seventh-largest victory margin in Test history showed how far Bangladesh still had to go.
VS AUSTRALIA (DARWIN – JULY 18, 2003)
The combined score of Justin Langer (71), Darren Lehmann (110) and Steve Waugh (100) in the first innings were more than what the whole Bangladesh squad managed in two innings during the sides' first Test meeting at TIO Stadium. Australia, playing their 641st Test, went on to complete their 286th victory in the format in style as they beat Bangladesh -- still in pursuit of their first Test win in their 20th Test -- by an innings and 132 runs.
VS ENGLAND (DHAKA – OCTOBER 21, 2003)
A seven-wicket defeat by England was by far the best result for Bangladesh in their maiden Test against any opposition till today. It was the first time that Bangladesh were able to bundle out a team for below 300. England had to play the match till the final day to secure their 276th victory in Tests.
VS AFGHANISTAN (CHATTOGRAM – SEPT 5, 2019)
For the first time ever, Bangladesh are considered the favourites when facing a Test opponent for the first time. Bangladesh will be playing their 115th Test match when they take on Afghanistan -- who will be playing their third -- during their one-off Test starting today in Chattogram.