Despite a mediocre ODI performance in 2023, Bangladesh performed well in the Test arena. This year, Bangladesh Men’s Test squad won 3 out of 4 test matches. With a combination of new and experienced players, Bangladesh managed to achieve these successes. Here is an analysis of the Bangladesh Men’s Test cricket in the year 2023.   

2023 Tests by Bangladesh Men’s National Cricket Team 

Bangladesh played 4 tests in 2023. All of these tournaments took place within the country. They won 3 matches comfortably and lost one match.

Performance Of Bangladesh Men’s Test Squad in 2023

Bangladesh Vs Ireland (at home)

Bangladesh vs Ireland Test match was held from the 4th to the 8th of April at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur.  

In the 1st Test match, Ireland won the toss and chose to bat. 

Ireland were all out for just 214 runs in 77. 2 overs on the first day. Harry Tector scored a well-fought fifty before getting out. Taijul Islam picked up 5 wickets, while Miraz and Ebadot got 2 wickets each. 

Bangladesh batted till they were all out for 369 in their first innings, Mushfiq scored 126  and Shakib scored 87.

In their second innings, Ireland lost 4 quick wickets for just 13 runs. However, they fought back and thanks to Lorcan Tucker's memorable 108 runs led the Irish, putting up a score of 292 before getting bowled out. Taijul picked up 4 wickets in the second innings, and 9 wickets in the match overall.

In the fourth innings, Bangladesh only needed 138 runs to secure a victory against Ireland. 

The Tigers won the match, losing only 3 wickets and finishing the match on the fourth day. Mushfiq scored a half-century and got the Man of the Match award for his overall contribution to the team.

Read more: Was 2023 a Good or Bad Year for Bangladesh Cricket? Here’s What Stats Say

Bangladesh Vs Afghanistan (at home)

Bangladesh vs Afghanistan Test match took place at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium from 14 to 18th of June. 

Winning the toss, Afghanistan decided to bowl first. Bangladesh were all out for 382 runs in 86 overs. Shanto was the top scorer with 146 runs.

Afghanistan scored 146 runs in their first innings before they were bowled out. Ebadot Hossain took 4 wickets, whereas Shoriful, Taijul, and Miraz took 2 wickets each.  

Instead of pushing Afghanistan to follow on, Bangladesh decided to bat for the 2nd innings. Tigers made a massive score of 425 runs losing only 4 wickets. 

Shanto made the match more memorable, scoring two centuries. Mominul also scored a century. 

Afghanistan got a target of 662 runs. Batting in their second innings they didn't stand a chance as they were only able to get 115 runs, facing the heaviest defeat of 546 runs. 

Taskin Ahmed took 4 wickets in the last innings, Shoriful took 3 wickets, while Miraz and Ebadot took 1 wicket each. Throughout the Test match, Bangladesh fast bowlers took 14 wickets, so far the highest record for them. 

Nazmul Hossain Shanto, was awarded the man of the match for scoring two centuries in one Test match.

Bangladesh Vs New Zealand Two Match Series (at home)

Bangladesh hosted New Zealand for a two-match Test series from November 28th to December 9th. The first match was played at Sylhet International Stadium and the second match was played at Dhaka’s Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. 

Overview of the First Test

In the 1st Test, Bangladesh won the toss and elected to bat. Bangladesh scored 310 runs. With 86 runs Mahmudul Hasan Joy was the top scorer in Bangladesh's first innings. Glenn Phillips took 4 wickets, while Kyle Jamieson and Ajaz Patel got 2 each.

In reply, New Zealand scored 317 runs with a 7-run lead. Kane Williamson got a century. To end the innings, Taijul and Mominul took 4 wickets, and 3 wickets respectively. 

In their second innings, Bangladesh scored a strong total of 338, with a lead of 331. Shanto scored a brilliant century, putting Bangladesh upfront.

New Zealand failed to chase the target of 332 runs. They were all out for just 181 runs, falling for a massive 150-run defeat on the fifth day. This was the first time Team Tiger beat the Kiwis in a Test match, in Bangladesh’s home ground. 

Taijul picked 6 wickets in the fourth innings and 10 wickets in the match. He won the Man of the Match award.

Read more: Shoriful, Litton Lead Bangladesh to Historic T20I Win in New Zealand

Overview of the Second Test

In the 2nd Test, Bangladesh won the toss and chose to bat first. Tigers scored 172 runs only in the first innings. Mushfiqur Rahim scored 35 runs. Glen Phillips and Mitchell Santner both took 3 wickets each. 

In reply, New Zealand got 180, taking an 8-run lead. Glenn Phillips was the top scorer with 87 runs. Taijul and Miraz Both got 3 wickets. On the Bangladesh side, Shoriful and Nayem took 2 wickets to close the innings.

Tigers needed to score a good total, but they were all out for just 144 runs, leaving an easy target of 137 runs for Kiwis to chase down. Zakir Hasan looked promising, scoring 59 runs. Ajaz Patel took 6 wickets, while Santner took 3 wickets. 

During their batting innings, the Kiwis were struggling throughout the match, as they lost wickets in regular intervals. Bangladeshi spin bowlers took wickets in quick succession. At one point in the match, New Zealand’s scoreboard was 69 for 6.

However, scoring 35, Mitchell Santner turned the match in favour of the Kiwis. Furthermore, Glenn Phillips made 40 runs. These Kiwi players put together a match-winning partnership, levelling the series to 1-1. 

Glenn Phillips acquired the Man of the Match award with his all-round performance. On the whole, the 2023 BAN vs NZ Test series was a well-balanced tournament, where both teams played well and ended the series with a draw.

Successful Bangladeshi Cricketers in the 2023 Men’s Test matches

Table: Top three most successful batsman for Bangladesh in 2023 (Test Format) 

Table: Top three most successful bowlers for Bangladesh in 2023 (Test  Format)

Final Words

So far, we have reviewed Bangladesh men’s cricket team performance in Test format in 2023. The Bangladesh Test squad included a bunch of young players along with experienced players. It can be said that the Tigers played better cricket, and brought positive results in the Test format. It is expected that Bangladesh will continue their success in the coming year and improve their shortcomings in the upcoming matches in 2024.

Read more: Bangladesh Cricket in 2023: Men’s ODI Series- Performance Analysis