A loss that completely exposes Bangladesh cricket
With almost 20 years of international Test experience, Bangladesh were not good enough to beat a team playing their third Test.
Bangladesh were not good enough. They were not good enough to beat Afghanistan in their own turf. The batsmen were not good enough to handle the Afghanistan spinners. The bowlers were not good enough to dismiss the Afghan batsmen cheaply. With almost 20 years of international Test experience, Bangladesh were not good enough to beat a team playing their third Test.
But why? What led to such a result for Bangladesh that is being considered as one of the worst in their cricketing history? Was the preparation not good enough? Is the domestic structure that bad? Are there problems within the team? Are there problems with the management and the board?
Then, there are the reasons that were given. Reasons like the pitch being one that helped the Afghan spinners more than it helped the Bangladesh bowlers. Reasons like picking the wrong team by not having a fast bowler. Reasons like not winning the toss and batting first being a big factor. And also, reasons like Shakib Al Hasan being a reluctant leader
At the same time, let's give credit to the Afghanistan team. Let's give them credit for the way they played the longest format of the game. Let's give their batsmen credit for the way they applied themselves and built partnerships. Let's give their bowlers credit for the way they bowled and outfoxed the Bangladesh batsmen. Let's give them credit for the way they've managed to develop their domestic circuit despite all the hurdles and hardships they have faced.
But enough is enough and it's time for a change! Enough is enough and it's time to improve the domestic structure. Enough is enough and it's time for some long term planning. Enough is enough and it's time to treat the Test status with some respect and sincerity. Enough is enough and it's time to work with long term development in mind and not short term gains. Enough is enough and it's time to own up to the issues with honesty and make the necessary changes.