A question to Bangladesh fans : Do you deserve Test status?

[sensible-indian]

So in short, unless Bangladesh find decent bowlers, the strategy will revolve around drawing games? How about taking a cue from India of 90s or even today? We don't have a bowling attack, but still we prepare pitches which make even Jadeja look like Warne. Playing to draw is no solution. Sorry to say, but Test Cricket cannot afford this attitude.

In 90s, we had a lethal attack at home. Kumble and some sidekick spinners were more than enough to destroy anyone. I think Bangladesh just wants to build some momentum and points with some draws and move forward.

[swatpulla]

In 90s, we had a lethal attack at home. Kumble and some sidekick spinners were more than enough to destroy anyone. I think Bangladesh just wants to build some momentum and points with some draws and move forward.

Momentum takes one forward or pushes them back. But Bangladeshi approach will only make them stand still. They don't want to provide wickets to support the bowlers. They don't want to try new bowlers. How in the world are they going to improve like this? Seriously, this is the most pointless existence in Test arena. They are wasting everyone's time.

[sensible-indian]

Momentum takes one forward or pushes them back. But Bangladeshi approach will only make them stand still. They don't want to provide wickets to support the bowlers. They don't want to try new bowlers. How in the world are they going to improve like this? Seriously, this is the most pointless existence in Test arena. They are wasting everyone's time.

That is true. Its a waste of time. I saw a few balls of this match and it looked low quality cricket to me bcos of the pitch and their choice of bowlers. I think they are simply biding their time till their domestic produces enough decent players for tests.

[Pagalpanti]

Credit to BCCI to limit this travesty of a series to just 1 game.

[adi B]

That's not the reason I singled them out. They play to draw matches. If even a single Test match win at home seems to them like an unrealistic expectation, then what's the point of this Test match status? Worst thing is, that there is absolutely ZERO intent to improve.

I agree with this point,their main motto is to somehow get a draw by preparing a flat pitch.they were celebrating a draw against Pakistan recently lol and we know what happened in the next test. Their bowling is flat and zilch,they can't win a match if that area vastly improves

[Kriterion]

So in short, unless Bangladesh find decent bowlers, the strategy will revolve around drawing games? How about taking a cue from India of 90s or even today? We don't have a bowling attack, but still we prepare pitches which make even Jadeja look like Warne. Playing to draw is no solution. Sorry to say, but Test Cricket cannot afford this attitude.

I agree with that. But BCB/Mushfiqur mindset is far more defensive. Not much anyone can do except keep chugging onwards. That being said, on these same pitches Bangladesh used to concede 500+ declared and lose by an innings up till 2010 or so. Nowadays still conceding 500+ declared, but scrapping out a draw 50% of the time even without rain. Thats a solid improvement. Its not right to say that a draw is not a valid result in Test cricket. If so, the rules should be amended where draws are eliminated as a result. Make it like ODIs, whoever has more runs after 5 days wins or whoever has the better runs/wickets ratio wins after 5 days. NZ and I think India too played for draws for a long while after getting Test status. Yes, they played far fewer matches, but Bangladesh also plays far fewer matches than other Test sides of the era. So that is a null argument. Asides from the fact that if the same generation of limited players could play 100 Tests and the results will be the same (see Ashraful).

[Kriterion]

I agree with this point,their main motto is to somehow get a draw by preparing a flat pitch.they were celebrating a draw against Pakistan recently lol and we know what happened in the next test. Their bowling is flat and zilch,they can't win a match if that area vastly improves

A draw is a good result for Bangladesh. Not great, but good. BD fans aren't ecstatic with a draw, but they are satisfied. The draw against Pakistan wasn't just any draw. We were trailing by 300 with 5+ sessions to bat out. Sure the pitch was flat, but there was scoreboard pressure.

[Pagalpanti]

I agree with that. But BCB/Mushfiqur mindset is far more defensive. Not much anyone can do except keep chugging onwards. That being said, on these same pitches Bangladesh used to concede 500+ declared and lose by an innings up till 2010 or so. Nowadays still conceding 500+ declared, but scrapping out a draw 50% of the time even without rain. Thats a solid improvement. Its not right to say that a draw is not a valid result in Test cricket. If so, the rules should be amended where draws are eliminated as a result. Make it like ODIs, whoever has more runs after 5 days wins or whoever has the better runs/wickets ratio wins after 5 days. NZ and I think India too played for draws for a long while after getting Test status. Yes, they played far fewer matches, but Bangladesh also plays far fewer matches than other Test sides of the era. So that is a null argument. Asides from the fact that if the same generation of limited players could play 100 Tests and the results will be the same (see Ashraful).

It is when your trying to save a test match after getting into a situation beyond the teams reach. Teams dont set out with the intention of drawing even before the match has begun.

[tigers2k15]

Why not ?? They have rights to make pitch whatever suits them. Now stop whining. Winners don't give any excuses. If Indian bowler's are good enough, they will be able to take wickets.

[swatpulla]

Why not ?? They have rights to make pitch whatever suits them. Now stop whining. Winners don't give any excuses. If Indian bowler's are good enough' date=' they will be able to take wickets.[/quote'] It's not about whether Indian bowlers are good enough or not. It's about whether or not Bangladesh deserve their Test status. Even at home, the best you can do is prepare pitches and squad to draw matches (even that you fail to achieve). This isn't worthy of Test status.

[Kriterion]

It is when your trying to save a test match after getting into a situation beyond the teams reach.

Thats happened quite often with BD in recent times: 2013 in Galle, SL scored 570+ and BD batted out a draw. 2013 in Chittagong, NZ scored 470 and had BD 8-2 and we batted out a draw. 2013 in Dhaka, BD was trailing by 150 at the start of the 3rd innings and again batted out a draw 2014 in Chitttagong, SL piled up 580+...same as above 2015 in Khulna, PAK had a lead of 296 at the start of the 3rd innings

Teams dont set out with the intention of drawing even before the match has begun.

Thats not true. Kohli himself said its time for India to start playing to win and that Dhoni's "learning" MO for the past few years is now over. Even on ICF, almost everyone predicted 0-4 loss in AUS last winter and a 0-2 loss was actually a pleasant surprise for most, if not all fans. I'm sure Dhoni, Kohli weren't going into AUS, SA, ENG with wins in mind after the 0-8 of 2011-12. The other point is that the draw is a relative win/loss. A team's fans and players would rather draw a match than lose. For Bangladesh that feeling is of course far more relevant. But consider that Indian fans/players would feel dissatisfied with a draw and the fact that rankings points are gained/lost as well indicate that the draw is in fact a legitimate third outcome that is unique to Tests. That has been the case since 1877, timeless tests notwithstanding. The fact that Pakistani fans complained only during the Khulna test last month and Indian fans here once it was evident it would rain proves the point that you view the draw as a "relative loss" vis a vis a outright win. And if so, its relative win for a weak team like BD.

[HippoSucks]

Thats happened quite often with BD in recent times: 2013 in Galle, SL scored 570+ and BD batted out a draw. 2013 in Chittagong, NZ scored 470 and had BD 8-2 and we batted out a draw. 2013 in Dhaka, BD was trailing by 150 at the start of the 3rd innings and again batted out a draw 2014 in Chitttagong, SL piled up 580+...same as above 2015 in Khulna, PAK had a lead of 296 at the start of the 3rd innings Thats not true. Kohli himself said its time for India to start playing to win and that Dhoni's "learning" MO for the past few years is now over. Even on ICF, almost everyone predicted 0-4 loss in AUS last winter and a 0-2 loss was actually a pleasant surprise for most, if not all fans. I'm sure Dhoni, Kohli weren't going into AUS, SA, ENG with wins in mind after the 0-8 of 2011-12. The other point is that the draw is a relative win/loss. A team's fans and players would rather draw a match than lose. For Bangladesh that feeling is of course far more relevant. But consider that Indian fans/players would feel dissatisfied with a draw and the fact that rankings points are gained/lost as well indicate that the draw is in fact a legitimate third outcome that is unique to Tests. That has been the case since 1877, timeless tests notwithstanding. The fact that Pakistani fans complained only during the Khulna test last month and Indian fans here once it was evident it would rain proves the point that you view the draw as a "relative loss" vis a vis a outright win. And if so, its relative win for a weak team like BD.

Drawing a test match against Australia on flat pitches means very little for most Indian fans. Despite our terrible record in Australia, I'm sure the mindset of the players was not to only draw the match.

[sandeep]

This kriterion fella might be the first bangles fan that doesn't overhype his team every 2nd sentence. Just for that, he deserves a bit of slack!

[Kriterion]

Despite our terrible record in Australia' date=' I'm sure the mindset of the players was not to only draw the match.[/quote'] Well by the same token Mushfiq complained last year of India sending a second string side, and Mashrafee claimed beating India is not an upset. In light of those kinds of comments, I'm sure our boys entered this Test genuinely believing BD would beat IND by an innings.

[Vilander]

Well by the same token Mushfiq complained last year of India sending a second string side' date=' and Mashrafee claimed beating India is not an upset. In light of those kinds of comments, I'm sure our boys entered this Test genuinely believing BD would beat IND by an innings.[/quote'] yeah but when you dont backup your words, its just a fart.

[Kriterion]

yeah but when you dont backup your words' date=' its just a fart.[/quote'] To our credit, we do have an aproximately 50% fart rate...non-farts include: Shakib "we can still beat ZIM 4-1" in 2009 Mushfiq "we're targetting Indian bowlers" 2012 Asia Cup Mushfiq "they'll be thinking of 4-0" vs NZ in 2013 Shakib "banana peel in trash" re: Afghanistan 2014 WT20 Bottom line is pitches have always been this flat in Bangladesh...its just BD batsman have progressed to the point of figuring out how to bat enough time to draw even without rain. Pakistanis didn't start complaining till last month as if their grounds aren't flat either. No one complained about the world cup wickets either.

[Muloghonto]

So in short, unless Bangladesh find decent bowlers, the strategy will revolve around drawing games? How about taking a cue from India of 90s or even today? We don't have a bowling attack, but still we prepare pitches which make even Jadeja look like Warne. Playing to draw is no solution. Sorry to say, but Test Cricket cannot afford this attitude.

i have nothing against bangladesh being a test side, so long as they are not losing test series by a landslide (i.e., if they lose 4-0, 3-0 as was normal a few years back, then yes, they don't deserve test status). And you are correct, there is nothing wrong in preparing pitches to draw the game if you know you don;t have the bowlers to take 20 wickets. India did this, mostly in the late 80s and early 90s after Kapil declined a lot ( he became a Bhuvi kumar with better control). But from 92/93 till late 2000s,India did not produce draw-oriented pitches a lot. We mostly produced dry, dusty tracks which would crack by the 2nd day. And on those pitches, make no mistake, Anil Kumble was a monster. It would've mattered little if you put forth an ATG batting lineup, Kumble would still take 5 wickets in the 1st innings at a very economical rate. Kumble was the best bowler i've ever seen on pitches that are designed to maximize a particular bowler's talents. On pitches that would crack and be dry, Kumble's flippers would come on like a spitting cobra and trap batsmen plumb more often than not.

[HippoSucks]

Well by the same token Mushfiq complained last year of India sending a second string side' date=' and Mashrafee claimed beating India is not an upset. In light of those kinds of comments, I'm sure our boys entered this Test genuinely believing BD would beat IND by an innings.[/quote'] Saying that they can beat India's second side in an ODI is a reasonable expectation. But anyway their players are known to make arrogant statements backed up by little substance. Just because they say something doesn't mean they actually mean it. Anyway their line up, pitch selection etc doesn't show at all that they though they were capable of winning the match.

[Vilander]

i have nothing against bangladesh being a test side, so long as they are not losing test series by a landslide (i.e., if they lose 4-0, 3-0 as was normal a few years back, then yes, they don't deserve test status). And you are correct, there is nothing wrong in preparing pitches to draw the game if you know you don;t have the bowlers to take 20 wickets. India did this, mostly in the late 80s and early 90s after Kapil declined a lot ( he became a Bhuvi kumar with better control). But from 92/93 till late 2000s,India did not produce draw-oriented pitches a lot. We mostly produced dry, dusty tracks which would crack by the 2nd day. And on those pitches, make no mistake, Anil Kumble was a monster. It would've mattered little if you put forth an ATG batting lineup, Kumble would still take 5 wickets in the 1st innings at a very economical rate. Kumble was the best bowler i've ever seen on pitches that are designed to maximize a particular bowler's talents. On pitches that would crack and be dry, Kumble's flippers would come on like a spitting cobra and trap batsmen plumb more often than not.

Yup i agree.:agree: you are spot on there.

[swatpulla]

Thats happened quite often with BD in recent times: 2013 in Galle, SL scored 570+ and BD batted out a draw. 2013 in Chittagong, NZ scored 470 and had BD 8-2 and we batted out a draw. 2013 in Dhaka, BD was trailing by 150 at the start of the 3rd innings and again batted out a draw 2014 in Chitttagong, SL piled up 580+...same as above 2015 in Khulna, PAK had a lead of 296 at the start of the 3rd innings Thats not true. Kohli himself said its time for India to start playing to win and that Dhoni's "learning" MO for the past few years is now over. Even on ICF, almost everyone predicted 0-4 loss in AUS last winter and a 0-2 loss was actually a pleasant surprise for most, if not all fans. I'm sure Dhoni, Kohli weren't going into AUS, SA, ENG with wins in mind after the 0-8 of 2011-12.

What you easily forget is that Indian tactics were to win. In South Africa, India was in winning position on Day 4 both Tests. They won a Test in England. Went for a very probable win in the first Test against Australia, and played extremely well in the last two. Can't you see the difference in the way Bangladesh is approaching Test Cricket? Even on the flattest track, you are going with 3 mediocre bowlers ! You start a test planning a draw. It may be a moral victory for Bangladesh, but the tactics to achieve that draw are disgraceful. We all bicker about ICC/BCCI killing Test Cricket, but what they do is nothing compared to the way BCB is handling Test Cricket. I am very clear about my thoughts on this, Bangladesh's test status needs be revoked.