Can Tigers end the year as they started?

For Bangladesh, the year had begun with a historic Test win over hosts New Zealand at Mount Maunganui. That win gave a lot of hope as it was thought to be setting Bangladesh cricket into a new direction in the longest format of the game with a renewed approach.

But since then, Bangladesh went on to lose seven out of eight Tests this year that once again reflected the Tigers' vulnerability in the longest format.

Following a 188-run thrashing in the first Test against India in Chattogram, Shakib Al Hasan and his troops will be looking to wrap up the year on a positive note when they take on India in the second and final Test in Mirpur tomorrow.

For that, however, the Tigers will have to come up with a much better approach.

Bangladesh's batting in the longest format, especially in the first innings, has been the prime reason behind many of their defeats in the format over the years. In reply to India's mammoth 404-run total, the hosts were bundled out for a mere 150 in their first innings. And that eventually proved to be the turning point of the game as the visitors capitalised on that to post a huge target of 513 runs.

One of the main reasons behind the Tigers' recurring top-order meltdown could be narrowed down to the team management's inability to find a settled number three in the batting order. Bangladesh opted for new comer Yasir Ali in the crucial position in the first Test but the right-hander failed to make any impact.

The 26-year-old, who batted at number six and seven positions in his first five Tests, failed to adjust to the new role, scoring just 4 and 5 in the two innings, respectively, against a quality Indian bowling attack.

Even though Yasir showed good skills since making his Test debut last year, it seems as if the Tigers' think tank failed to realise the extra pressure that would be thrusted upon the inexperienced batter when he is made to bat at such a crucial position all of a sudden.

With Yasir failing to shine in his new role, it is certain that the Tigers' team management might need to come up with an alternative plan for the second Test if they are to end the year just the way they had started.