Test Cricket Against South Africa: Play according to talent and ability

Winning a two-match Test series against Pakistan on their home ground has been marked as a 'milestone' in the history of the country's cricket. The Bangladesh team went to play two Test matches as part of the World Test Championship. Before the matches, no cricket expert in the country believed that the Bangladesh team would outplay the host team completely and win the series for the first time in the long format of the game. Victory always boosts confidence and invigorates the team.

Now, Bangladesh faces a series of two Tests and three T20 matches in India. The two Tests against India are also part of the World Test Championship. Compared to Pakistan, India's Test team has significantly greater collective strength. Although Bangladesh achieved an impressive series win against Pakistan, facing India presents an incredibly tough challenge.

In World Test Cricket, India now competes with elite teams. India now competes eye-to-eye with elite teams in world Test cricket. Those who understand cricket in the country expect the Bangladesh team to showcase all their talent. They will try to compete against a courageous Indian team, which, despite being relatively new in T20, has already established itself as a formidable side. During their tour of India, Bangladesh struggled to stand firm in both formats, with the last Test ending in a humiliating defeat for them in just two days.

This time, Bangladesh will be vying for points at home against South Africa as part of the World Test Championship. The two-Test series will take place in Dhaka and Chittagong from November 21 to 25 and November 29 to December 2, respectively. However, Bangladesh has yet to taste victory in 14 Tests played against South Africa, having lost 12 and drawn 2. The pressing question now is how positively Bangladesh can compete against South Africa on home ground, especially on spin-friendly pitches like Mirpur in Dhaka.

Earlier this year, Bangladesh faced a whitewash against Sri Lanka on their own turf. The last time Bangladesh toured South Africa was in 2022, where the hosts not only easily won the Test series but also broke several run records in Test cricket, setting new benchmarks.

South Africa knows Bangladesh plays well at home. South Africa is aware that Bangladesh performs well on home ground. They understand the characteristics and conditions of the pitches. South Africa’s pace attack has always been effective and strong. Considering Bangladesh’s wickets, they have bolstered their spin attack by including left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj, along with left-arm spinner Senuran Muthusamy and off-spinner Dan Pite. Only one player in the South African squad is waiting for his Test debut. The visiting team’s batting lineup is tested and formidable, aiming for another series victory.

However, regular captain Temba Bavuma will miss the Test starting on August 21 in Mirpur due to injury. Aiden Markram will lead the team in his place, and young batter Dewald Brevis has been newly added to the squad.

The selectors have provided a squad for Bangladesh, but there are no players available who can adapt to the temperament of Test cricket. The pool of Test players in the country is severely limited, and this situation has persisted for years. There is no long-term strategic plan for Test cricket. Additionally, there are no regular tournaments outside of the national team in domestic cricket. The cricket board and relevant stakeholders are preoccupied with various issues. Despite understanding that mere talk won’t advance the sport, the reality remains that there is a lack of substantial action.

After the political changes, the elected president of the cricket board has moved abroad and eventually submitted his resignation. Everyone has noticed the efforts of the new president and the directors of the board. Faruk Ahmed, nominated by the National Sports Council, is now the president of the board. Nazmul Abedin Fahim, who is in charge of cricket operations and other responsibilities, is also a nominee from the sports council. Both of them are frequently seen in the media regarding the board's various failure.

The cricket board has dismissed the national team’s head coach, Hathurusingha on October 15, just before the upcoming series against South Africa. There has been speculation that Hathurusingha would have to leave anytime after the new president took over, mainly due to personal conflicts and disagreements with Faruk Ahmed. However, personal matters were not mentioned at the time of his dismissal. As a reason for the change, the board has appointed former West Indies all-rounder Phil Simmons as the new coach. He will take charge of the Bangladesh team, which is set to compete in the Test Championship next year. The new coach has already joined the Bangladesh team.

The culture of Bangladesh repeatedly dismissing coaches despite their tenure always sparks discussions within the cricketing world. This is undoubtedly a negative aspect for the country’s cricket. There should not be contradictory behavior towards a professional individual after initially selecting them as a coach. Coaches must be chosen with careful consideration.

Shakib Al Hasan wished to play his last Test match against South Africa to retire from Test cricket; however, that hope has not been fulfilled. Although Shakib has generated discussions through various activities over time, he has both supporters and critics among cricket fans. Youth and Sports Advisor Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan stated that there should be no obstacles for Shakib to come back to the country or go abroad; yet, in the end, Shakib Al Hasan could not play his final Test match upon returning home. Such an event has divided the country into supporters and opponents, but I would say this incident is unprecedented.

Shakib has already issued a statement from abroad explaining his political stance. He expressed regret for not being able to play any role in the student movements. How he will take part given that he is a member of parliament for the Awami League. Moreover, his personal relationship with the head of the party and the government is well known. Shakib’s family resides in the United States, and he himself holds an immigrant card. It is unrealistic to expect someone with political affiliations to remain in sports without complications. The real issue lies in bringing party politics into sports and the sycophancy and subservience shown towards party leaders.

Ekramuzzaman: Columnist and analyst. Former Senior Vice President of AIPS Asia. Lifetime member of the Bangladesh Sports Press Association and panel writer for Football Asia.