Cricket
Batter Fazle Rabbi added to Bangladesh squad to replace Shakib on NZ tour
Bangladesh selectors added Fazle Rabbi Mahmud to the Test squad for the New Zealand tour to replace Shakib Al Hasan, BCB confirmed on Wednesday.
The 34-year old batter scored the most runs in the recently concluded 23rd National Cricket League where he made 630 runs at an average of 60.30.
Rabbi’s late inclusion came after ace all-rounder Shakib took leave from the NZ tour citing family reasons.
READ: Dhaka Test: Bangladesh lose by an inning and 8 runs
Shakib was included in the squad when BCB announced the first list. But within a few hours after the announcement, Shakib sent a letter to BCB requesting a leave.
Bangladesh will face the hosts in a two-match Test series in January 2022 which will be a part of the 2021-2023 cycle of the ICC World Test Championship.
The Bangladesh team will leave for New Zealand on Wednesday night for the series with the Tests scheduled in Tauranga and Christchurch
Meanwhile, former Sri Lanka spin legend Rangana Herath has agreed to a two-year term as spin bowling coach of the Tigers.
Herath will join the Bangladesh coaching team in New Zealand.
His contract is until the end of November 2023. Herath had earlier been the team’s spin consultant for the away series against Zimbabwe this year followed by the home series against Australia and New Zealand and the ICC Twenty20 World Cup.
READ: Top Performers in the BAN vs PAK Test Series 2021
Bangladesh squad for New Zealand tour: Mominul Haque (Captain), Shadman Islam, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim, Liton Das, Nurul Hasan Sohan, Yasir Ali, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Abu Jayed Rahi, Ebadot Hossain, Shoriful Islam, Khaled Ahmed, Shohidul Islam, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Mohammad Naim, Fazle Rabbi Mahmud.
Dhaka Test: Bangladesh lose by an inning and 8 runs
Despite a great fight from Shakib Al Hasan with the bat, Bangladesh lost the Dhaka Test to touring Pakistan by an innings and eight runs on Wednesday evening at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
Bangladesh needed to bat the whole of the fifth and last day to save the match. But they could not do that as Pakistan bowlers were disciplined enough to take 13 wickets of Bangladesh in a day to seal the game.
About two and half days of this were washed out due to persistent rain caused by Bay depression. It created a hope that Bangladesh would draw this Test, but they failed to do that and lost the match.
There was no play in the final session of day one, only 6.2 overs on day two, and no play on day 3, a delayed start on day four; yet a result was unexpected. But Pakistan kept the match alive after declaring their first innings at 300 for four.
In reply, Bangladesh tumbled for 87/10 in their first innings with Sajid Khan bagging eight wickets— his best in his Test career. Bangladesh were at 76 for seven at the end of day four, and they only added 11 runs on the fifth day morning with their overnight total and lost the last three wickets in 28 minutes.
Bangladesh fell short of 14 runs from avoiding a follow-on. Pakistan have enforced the follow-on, the hosts lost four wickets in 25 runs which threw Bangladesh’s last hope away.
Top Performers in the BAN vs PAK Test Series 2021
Bangladesh lost the bilateral Test series to Pakistan 2-0 after losing the second match by an innings and 8 runs at the SBNCS in Mirpur on Wednesday (December 8). Bangladesh's batting performance was disappointing, particularly in the first innings. They made a big effort in the second innings to save the contest, putting in some promising performances. However, Pakistan completed the whitewash by taking all of Bangladesh's wickets in the third session of the fifth day. Let's take a look at the best performers in the BAN vs PAK Test Series 2021.
BAN vs PAK Test Series 2021: Top Performers
Bangladesh's top-order batting performance was the most disappointing in the series, but the middle order looked solid. On the other hand, Pakistan's openers were the most successful among the batters in the series. Additionally, Pakistan's bowling unit was the most disciplined of the two teams.
Batting
Pakistan's opener Abid Ali was the most effective batter in the series. He struck two crucial knocks in the first Test, giving Pakistan a 1-0 series lead. Abid's opening partner, Abdullah Shafique also contributed well with the bat in the series opener. The most successful batters from Bangladesh were Mushfiqur Rahim and Liton Das. These two formed two crucial partnerships in the first innings of the first Test and the second innings of the second Test. However, Bangladesh lost both matches despite their efforts.
Top 3 Most Runs
Abid Ali: Inn: 3 | Runs: 263 | Ave: 87.66 | 100s: 1
Liton Das: Inn: 4 | Runs: 224 | Ave: 56.00 | 100s: 1
Mushfiqur Rahim: Inn: 4 | Runs: 160 | Ave: 40.00 | 100s: 0
Top 3 High Scores
Abid Ali: Runs: 133 (282 balls)
Liton Das: Runs: 114 (233 balls)
Mushfiqur Rahim: Runs: 91 (225 balls)
Bowling
Pakistan spinner Sajid Khan and Bangladesh left-arm spinner Taijul Islam had two impressive performances among the bowlers. Sajid took 8 wickets in the second Test's first innings, while Taijul Islam took 7 wickets in the first Test's first innings. In comparison to Bangladesh bowlers, Pakistan bowlers were more accurate and outstanding throughout the series. Particularly, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Hasan Ali bowled with pinpoint accuracy and exhibited how to set up a batter to pick his wicket. On the other hand, Bangladesh's pacers lacked variation and didn't appear to be looking for wickets.
Top 3 Most Wickets
Sajid Khan: Inn: 4 | Wickets: 16 | Ave: 15.00 | 5W: 1
Shaheen Shah Afridi: Inn: 4 | Wickets: 10 | Ave: 13.60 | 5W: 1
Taijul Islam: Inn: 3 | Wickets: 10 | Ave: 27.80 | 5W: 1
Top 3 Best Bowling Figures
Sajid Khan: 15-4-42-8 (BBI)
Taijul Islam: 44.4-9-116-7 (BBI)
Shaheen Shah Afridi: 15-8-32-5 (BBI)
Way Forward
Bangladesh's overall performance in the BAN vs PAK Test Series 2021 was utterly disappointing, With the exception of a few standout individual performances. Bangladesh's top-order batters must improve their technique to play better in the forthcoming New Zealand series. Because New Zealand pitches will offer extra bounce and pace. Therefore, batting will be more difficult on those surfaces. Besides, Bangladesh's fast bowlers must develop their ability to take wickets on barren pitches, otherwise desired outcomes in the Test format will be impossible. On the other hand, Pakistani players did everything right throughout the contest. They excelled at both batting and bowling. Pakistan gained a total of 24 Test Championship points from the series.
Ashes Series 2021: Who Would Play in an Australia-England Combined Test XI?
The much-anticipated Ashes Test series for the 2021-2022 season started off in Brisbane on Wednesday (December 8). The Australia-England Test series includes all of the expected names. Both sides have several outstanding cricketers who can turn the course of a game and lead their teams to victory on any given day. This article features a combined Test XI comprised of players from both sides. Let's have a look at the combined Test XI for the Ashes series 2021 between Australia and England.
Combined Test XI from Australia and England for Ashes Series 2021
Australia have the advantage in the bowling department, while England's middle order has the upper hand. Though, in the top order, both sides are equally strong. Here is the combined Australia-England Test XI.
1) David Warner (Australia)
M: 86 | Runs: 7311 | HS: 335* | Ave: 48.09 | 100s: 24
Left-arm opener David Warner will play the anchor role in Australia's batting. He will be one of the most important players in the series since he will be the backbone of the Australian batting line-up.
Also Read: Australia and England gear up for the Ashes 2021
2) Rory Burns (England)
M: 29 | Runs: 1712 | HS: 133 | Ave: 32.30 | 100s: 3
Rory has been in some good form for England in the recent series. He is their main opener in the series.
3) Marnus Labuschagne (Australia)
M: 18 | Runs: 1885 | HS: 215 | Ave: 60.80 | 100s: 5
Labuschagne, one of the most talented cricketers of his generation, will be crucial for Australia in this year's Ashes series.
4) Joe Root (England, Captain)
M: 109 | Runs: 9278 | HS: 254 | Ave: 50.15 | 100s: 23
England's captain Joe Root is the team's main batter. Root's performance will determine England's fate in the Ashes series 2021.
5) Steven Smith (Australia)
M: 77 | Runs: 7540 | HS: 239 | Ave: 61.80 | 100s: 27
Arguably the best Test batter in the world Steven Smith will be Australia's most important player in this series.
6) Ben Stokes (England)
M: 71 | Runs: 4631 | HS: 258 | Ave: 37.04 | 100s: 10 | Wkts: 163 | BBI: 6/22 | Ave: 31.38 | 5W: 4
Charismatic all-rounder Ben Stokes has returned to international cricket with the Ashes series. Stokes may be England's best weapon in this Test series.
7) Jos Buttler (England, WK)
M: 53 | Runs: 2800 | HS: 152 | Ave: 33.33 | 100s: 2
Jos Buttler of England could make a difference in the middle order. He is also one of the top wicket-keepers in the world.
Also Read: Dhaka Test: Tigers fail to avoid follow-on
8) Pat Cummins (Australia)
M: 34 | Wkts: 164 | BBI: 6/23 | Ave: 21.59 | 5W: 5
Australia's new Test captain Pat Cummins is one of the best fast bowlers in the world. He will surely be the spearhead of Australia's bowling attack.
9) Mitchell Starc (Australia)
M: 61 | Wkts: 255 | BBI: 6/50 | Ave: 27.57 | 5W: 13
Starc is a world-class fast bowler with a wealth of experience. The English batters could struggle with his speed and accuracy.
10) James Anderson (England)
M: 166 | Wkts: 632 | BBI: 7/42 | Ave: 26.62 | 5W: 31
James Anderson is the world's most experienced pacer. Among fast bowlers, he holds the record for most Test wickets. Therefore, Anderson will be England's main bowling weapon.
11) Nathan Lyon (Australia)
M: 100 | Wkts: 399 | BBI: 8/50 | Ave: 32.12 | 5W: 18
Nathan Lyon is a talented off-spinner who knows how to take wickets in Test matches. Lyon's variation of spin has the potential to cause problems for England's batters.
Bottom Line
Picking the perfect XI from two of the best international cricket teams is never a straightforward task. Because both Australia and England have some exceptional cricketers in their respective squads. The Australia-England Combined Test XI 2021 has been determined based on recent form and experience.
The majority of the players in the XI are Australians, given that Australia is hosting the Ashes series 2021 and their players are more equipped for the conditions than its rivals England. On the other hand, England have some outstanding players and is perhaps the best side in the world to win a Test series on Australian soil. Overall, both teams will face a tough challenge in this Ashes series.
Dhaka Test: Tigers fail to avoid follow-on
Bangladesh failed to avoid a follow-on in the Dhaka Test against Pakistan on Wednesday.
With the tourists having enforced the follow-on, the Tigers will now bat again with at least 82 overs left on Day 5.
Pakistan spinner Sajid Khan bagged eight wickets conceding 42 runs, his best in Tests so far.
Read: Youth ODI Series: Bangladesh emerge champions crushing Indian B by 181 runs in final
Bangladesh tumbled for 87/10 -- their joint-lowest total in Tests at home, and fell short of 14 runs from avoiding the follow-on.
At the end of the rain-hit fourth day, Bangladesh were at 76 for 7 in 26 overs. On the fifth-day morning, Bangladesh were able to bat only 28 minutes and lost the last three wickets only for 11 runs.
Youth ODI Series: Bangladesh emerge champions crushing Indian B by 181 runs in final
Touring Bangladesh U-19 Cricket team smartly clinched the three-team Youth ODI Series crushing Indian B U-19 team by a massive 181 runs in the final at the Indian premier cricket venue, the Eden Gardens, in Kolkata on Tuesday.
Replying to Bangladesh’s modest total 234 runs for all in 41.4 overs, hosts Indian team were bundled out cheaply for just 53 runs in 21.3 overs to suffer a humiliating defeat.
Read: Youth ODI Series: Hosts Sri Lanka whitewash Bangladesh 5-0
Earlier, Bangladesh U-19 side batted first after losing the toss and scored a moderate 234 runs for all in 41. 4 overs in a reduced 41 overs-a -side match, despite of losing seven wickets for 115 runs.
But, number five Aich Mollah paring with lower order Ashiqur Zaman contributed 94 runs in the eighth wicket stand to carry the team total in a respectable position.
Aich Mollah hammered a polished 93 runs off 91 balls, featuring 10 fours and two sixes while lower order Ashiqur Zaman scored 58-ball 50 runs, including five fours and two sixes.
Besides, one down Prantik Nowrose Nabil scored 28 runs off 25 balls hitting three fours and two sixes, opener Iftekhar Hossain added 17 and wicket keeper Mohammad Fahim made 14 runs for the visitors.
Dhanush Gowda of India claimed three wickets for 62 runs. Shashwat Dangwal, Ravi Kumar and AUM Kanabar grabbed two wickets each conceding 27, 44 and 50 runs respectively.
Chasing a target of 235 runs in curtailed 41 overs, hosts Indian boys were dismissed cheaply for 53 runs in 21.3 overs, losing top four batters for 15 runs in 9.3 overs.
Read:Youth ODI series: Afghanistan win last match vs Bangladesh
Among the Indian, only two batters—Uday Saharan (26) and Kaushal Tambe (11) –were able to reach the double figures.
Naimur Rahman was the most successful among the Bangladesh bowler taking four wickets for 16 runs in 6.3 overs, Ashiqur Zaman and SM Meherob claimed two wickets each giving away 8 and 7 runs respectively.
Three teams-Indian U-19A U-19 B and Bangladesh team took part in the series.
Clueless about Bangladesh’s batting collapse: Khaled Mahmud
Former Bangladesh captain and the current team director of the national team, Khaled Mahmud, said he is clueless about the batting collapse of the Tigers against Pakistan.
More than two days of the ongoing Test were washed away due to rain. Despite that, the Tigers look so fragile— as if they are unable to save the match even from this stage.
Read:Dhaka Test: Bangladesh down to 76/7 as Sajid bags six
In reply to Pakistan’s first innings total of 300, Bangladesh lost seven wickets for 76 in 26 overs at the end of day four. They still need to score 25 runs to avoid a follow on in the Dhaka Test.
“I’m not sure why they batted like this,” Mahmud told during an interaction with reporters on Tuesday at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. “We did not see the batting that is ideal in Test cricket. It’s a matter of concern for us.”
Pakistan spinner Sajid Khan bagged six out of the seven wickets that Bangladesh lost on day four. It was the first five-wicket haul for Sajid in Test cricket.
“There was help for the spinners in the wicket, and their spinners were doing well too. But we have the ability to play against quality spinners. I’m not sure why we failed to play him, or why we were in a rush. We should have learned from Azhar Ali who batted really well,” Mahmud added.
On the fifth day, Bangladesh need to score 25 runs first to avoid the follow on, and then they have to look forward to saving the Test. In the first Test of the series in Chattoagrm, Bangladesh lost by eight wickets despite the maiden Test ton by Liton Das and a seven-wicket haul by Taijul Islam.
Read:Dhaka Test: Pakistan declare first innings at 300/4
After this series, the Tigers will fly to New Zealand to play a two-match Test series against the hosts starting from January 1. The second Test of the series will take place from January 9.
When the Tigers are unable to pose any challenge for the tourists and the home, they will now have to face New Zealand— the champions of the last World Test Championship.
“I don’t want to say anything negative,” Mahmud said. “If we look back to the history, we were unable to do well in New Zealand. Not just us, but also the other Asian teams failed in New Zealand to do well. But it should not be an excuse. We should do well in New Zealand, and play our best cricket.”
Dhaka Test: Bangladesh down to 76/7 as Sajid bags six
Bangladesh lost quick wickets in reply to Pakistan’s first innings total of 300 in the Dhaka Test on Tuesday at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
With only three wickets in hand, Bangladesh are trailing by 224 runs. The play of the last day is scheduled to start half an hour early than the regular time.
Read:Dhaka Test: Pakistan declare first innings at 300/4
Pakistan declared their first innings on 300 for four in 98.3 overs with Azhar Ali, Babar Azam, Fawad Alam and Mohammad Rizwan hitting a fifty each.
For Bangladesh, Taijul Islam took two wickets and Khaled Ahmed and Ebadot Hossain scalped one wicket each.
After day 3 was washed away by persistent rain, the game was resumed at 10:50am on Tuesday— the fourth day of the Test.
Khaled and Ebadot removed Babar and Azhar in the first session. They were unbeaten due to the rain for more than a day.
Pakistan’s first innings ended after the lunch break of day four after Fawad and Rizwan added more than a hundred runs on the board in the fifth wicket stand.
Bangladesh failed to make a good start as debutant Mahmudul Hasan Joy fell for a duck as the first batter of the hosts. The other opener, Shadman Islam, posted only three on the board.
Bangladesh lost five wickets before posting 50 runs with the spinner Sajid Khan taking six wickets out of seven— the other one was trapped run-out.
Read:Dhaka Test: Tigers take two wickets as match resumes on Day 4
It was a pathetic cricket show by the hosts to end day four at seven for 76 in 26 overs.
After the quick fall of the openers, the onus was on the batters like Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim and Liton Das to keep the scoreboard moving, but they failed in a shocking way, to say the least.
Bangladesh were going down like a lead balloon when Mominul was trapped run-out for one, and Mushfiqur played a needless shot to only get caught to Fawad at the mid-wicket area. This shot from Mushfiqur can only be described as an example of brainfade. Trapping Mehidy Hasan lbw, Sajid completed his first five-for in Tests.
The day was called off early due to the bad light— a never-ending problem of this Test as the first day was also called off early due to the bad light, the second day had only 6.2 overs of cricket due to the rain, and the third was completely washed away for the same.
BAN vs PAK Test Series 2021: Bangladesh to open account in ICC Test Championship if the 2nd match ends in a draw
The SBNCS, Mirpur is hosting the second match of the Bangladesh vs Pakistan Test Series 2021. The second and third days of play were canceled due to persistent rain. Thankfully, the weather on day four improved, and play resumed in the first session. Bangladesh will open its account in the ongoing Test Championship if the match ends in a draw. Let's have a look at the second Test match scenario and the latest ICC Test Championship points standings for the 2021-2023 cycle.
Match scenario: BAN vs PAK 2nd Test 2021
In the second session of day 4, Pakistan batted first and declared their first innings on 300/4. Babar Azam, Pakistan's captain, scored the highest 76 runs and had the best 123-run partnership with Azhar Ali in the third wicket. Azhar Ali batted patiently for 56 runs, while Fawad Alam (50*) and Mohammad Rizwan (53*) contributed with the bat as well. Bangladesh's left-arm spinner Taijul Islam took the most wickets with two.
Bangladesh lost three quick wickets before the end of the second session and were 22/3 at tea. Bangladesh lost four more wickets in the third session, finishing day four with a score of 76/7. Bangladesh must score 101 runs to avoid a follow-on. If Bangladesh avoid a follow-on, Pakistan will have to bat again. Even though there is a strong chance that this match will finish in a stalemate, there could be some nervous moments on the final day.
Current ICC Test Championship standings (2021-2023 cycle)
With the exception of Australia and South Africa, all Test-playing nations have begun their journey in the ICC Test Championship's second edition. Sri Lanka (24 points) currently lead the points table with a 100% winning record, followed by Pakistan (24 points) and India (42 points). Even if Pakistan win the ongoing second match against Bangladesh, they will not climb up to first place in the point standings. On the other hand, Bangladesh would get four points if the second match of the Bangladesh vs Pakistan Test Series 2021 ended in a draw.
England (14 points) are in fourth place, followed by the West Indies (12) and New Zealand (4). Australia's Test Championship campaign will begin on December 8 with the Ashes series. On the other hand, South Africa will begin their first series in the second edition of the Test Championship against India at the end of this year.
Bangladesh's remaining Test Championship fixtures
Bangladesh's Test Championship campaign has started with a series against Pakistan, and they will play five more Test series in 2022. Bangladesh will play New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka, the West Indies, and India in a bilateral series.
Here are Bangladesh's remaining Test Championship fixtures
Bangladesh tour of New Zealand 2022
1st Test (1-5 January): NZ vs BAN
2nd Test (9-13 January): NZ vs BAN
Bangladesh tour of South Africa 2022
1st Test (30 March – 3 April): SA vs BAN
2nd Test (7-11 April): SA vs BAN
Sri Lanka tour of Bangladesh 2022
1st Test (May): BAN vs SL
2nd Test (May): BAN vs SL
Bangladesh tour of West Indies 2022
1st Test (June): WI vs BAN
2nd Test (June): WI vs BAN
India tour of Bangladesh 2022
1st Test (Nov): BAN vs IND
2nd Test (Nov): BAN vs IND
Way Forward
The second Test match of the Bangladesh vs Pakistan Test Series 2021 is most likely to end in a draw due to inclement weather conditions. Bangladesh only received 20 points after drawing a Test match in the inaugural ICC Test Championship. They were the bottom team in the first edition of the Test Championship. Therefore, Bangladesh's main goal for the 2021-2023 cycle Test Championship would be to improve further in the point standings.
Dhaka Test: Pakistan declare first innings at 300/4
In the ongoing Dhaka Test, Pakistan ended their first innings at 300 for four on Tuesday afternoon with at least 50 overs to play in the day at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
After Fawad Alam completed his second Test fifty, Pakistan declared the innings at 300. He accompanied Mohammad Rizwan in a century stand in the fifth wicket partnership.
For Bangladesh, Taijul Islam bagged two wickets while Khaled Ahmed and Ebadot Hossain took one wicket each.
Also read: Dhaka Test: Tigers take two wickets as match resumes on Day 4
There was no rain on Tuesday morning, and the match resumed at 10:50am.
When the match was stopped on day two, on Sunday, Pakistan were batting at 188 for two in 63.2 overs with both Azhar Ali and Babar Azam hitting a fifty each.
There were only 6.2 overs of cricket on day two of this Test, and day one was also hit by bad weather when the match referee called an early end of the day due to poor light.
The persistent rain did not allow any cricket on day three. According to the weather officials, the rain is an effect of the cyclone “Jawad”. As per the latest forecast, there will be no rain on Wednesday, which is the last day of this Test.
Also read: Dhaka Test set to resume on Day 4
Earlier, in the first Test of the series in Chattogram, Pakistan beat the hosts by eight wickets.