Test series
Tigers enter seven-day quarantine in New Zealand
Bangladesh national cricket team reached New Zealand on Friday and started a seven-day in-room quarantine ahead of the two-match Test series against the hosts.
They left Dhaka on Wednesday night after ending the second Test of the two-match series against Pakistan at home.
Read:Anamul wishes a national comeback relying on performance
“We have reached New Zealand safely, and we started quarantine,” Taskin Ahmed, the right-arm pacer told in a video message. “It’s always tough to stay stuck in the hotel room. But we can do anything for the team and the country.”
With the home series against Pakistan, Bangladesh started the second cycle of the ICC World Test Championship. They, however, failed to register a good start as they heavily lost both the matches.
But the Tigers hope that they can do well in New Zealand, though, the real expectation is low because of their history in New Zealand where they never won against the hosts.
The first Test of the series will kick off on January 1, and the second will start on January 9.
In the touring party, Bangladesh have 18 players. Shakib Al Hasan was named in the team initially, but he withdrew due to a family reason. To replace him, Bangladesh included Fazle Mahmud Rabbi.
Read:Tigers set to leave for New Zealand tonight
He scored the most runs in the recently concluded National Cricket League— the biggest First-class domestic cricket event in the country.
Bangladesh also included Yasir Ali and Mahmudul Hasan Joy who got their maiden Test cap in the last series at home against Pakistan. While Yasir got his cap in his hometown Chattogram, Mahmudul got his Test cap in Dhaka.
In the previous cycle of the ICC World Test Championship, Bangladesh played seven Tests but failed to win any of them.
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.
Dhaka Test: Persistent rain forces cricketless day 3
The third day of the Dhaka Test between Bangladesh and Pakistan has been called out without a ball bowled due to relentless rain on Monday.
At around 2pm on Monday, the match referee called the day off. There were only 6.2 overs of cricket on Sunday— the second day of the Test, and the first day was also affected by inclement weather.
Read:Dhaka Test: Relentless rains make 3rd day play uncertain
The broadcast crew and journalists who came to cover the match at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium were seen to play indoor cricket with the tennis ball this afternoon.
There was an early tea break on day one as well. Due to the bad light on the ground, the match referee had to stop the match at that point in time. The match referee said the match would start half an hour earlier than the regular time in the remaining days.
Had the rain stopped, it would have taken at least an hour to make the field prepared to resume the game. Sher-e-Bangla has a modern drainage system in the country, still, it would not be possible to prepare the field in less than an hour if the rain stopped fully.
When the play paused for the last time, Pakistan were batting at 188 for two in 63.2 overs with both Azhar Ali (52), and Babar Azam (71) hitting a fifty each. For Bangladesh, left-arm spinner Taijul Islam bagged two wickets in the first session of the match on day one.
Earlier, Pakistan won the first match of the series in Chattogram by eight wickets despite some good displays from Liton Das, Mushfiqur Rahim and Taijul Islam. While Liton hit his maiden Test ton, Mushfiqur hit 91, and Taijul bagged seven wickets in an innings.
In contrast, Abid Ali, Shaheen Afridi and Hassan Ali have done well for the tourists to seal the match.
With this series, both Bangladesh and Pakistan have started the new cycle of the ICC World Test Championship. In the previous cycle, Bangladesh played seven matches and lost six of them with only a draw.
Read:Shakib’s inner child comes out on rain-soaked day
After this series, Bangladesh will fly to New Zealand to play a two-match Test series against the hosts starting from January 1 in Tauranga. The second Test of the series will be played from January 9 in Christchurch.
Bangladesh have already announced an 18-member squad for this series. The team will take the flight to New Zealand on December 9.
Pakistan players for Test series arrive in Dhaka
Players making up the Pakistan Test squad arrived in Dhaka today for the two-match series against hosts Bangladesh.
A total of 14 players of the Pakistan Test team landed in Dhaka today, while others will join from the T20I squad, including captain Babar Azam. Players who are playing in T20Is, but are not part of the Test team, will return home after the third T20 on Monday.
The first Test of the series will be played in Chattogram from November 26 while the second Test will take place in Dhaka from December 4.
Read: Kamrul, Emon added to Bangladesh T20 squad
Pakistan and Bangladesh have played each other on eleven previous occasions in Tests, with Pakistan winning 10 of them, and the other one a draw.
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is yet to announce the squad for this series. According to the latest information, the squad might be revealed by Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Pakistan have already wrapped up the T20I series winning the first two matches. Tigers are now looking forward to avoiding the whitewash on Monday at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
Read: Pakistan wrap up series beating Bangladesh by eight wickets
Pakistan players who flew in on Sunday: Abdullah Shafique, Abid Ali, Azhar Ali, Bilal Asif, Faheem Ashraf, Fawad Alam, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Abbas, Naseem Shah, Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan, Saud Shakeel, Zahid Mahmood.
WI vs. PAK 2021: West Indies-Pakistan Test Series Ends in 1-1 Draw
Pakistan defeated the West Indies by 109 runs on the fifth day of the second Test in Jamaica. The Windies won the first Test of the series by one wicket. As a result, the two-match series finished in a stalemate. Pakistan won the second match of the series thanks to a collective effort. Pakistan have also opened their account in the ICC Test Championship (2021-2023 cycle) with this victory. They are currently in second place with 12 points, only one point behind table-topper India. The second match report of the WI vs. PAK 2021 Test series is discussed in this article.
WI vs. PAK 2021: Second Test Match Report
Pakistan's campaign was in shambles after failing to win the series opener despite being in a better situation. The Pakistani team was desperate to level the series in the second Test, and they dominated the game from the start. They hurriedly declared their second innings in the final session of day four after giving the Windies a 329-run target.
Read ICC Test Championship 2021-2023: Bangladesh Likely to Start Campaign against Pakistan
The Windies batsmen battled hard to play out the fifth day in pursuit of the winning target, but they were bowled out for 219 runs soon after the third session's drinks break. Pakistan won by 109 runs and leveled the series at 1-1.
The West Indies top order had a cautious start, but their resistance was short-lived due to the
Pakistan bowler's; pinpoint accuracy. Openers Kraigg Brathwaite (39) and Kieron Powell (23) combined for a total of 34 runs. Following their departures, wickets began to fall.
West Indies were bowled out for 113 runs after losing six wickets. With the bat, Jermaine Blackwood (25), Kyle Mayers (32), Jason Holder (47), and Joshua Da Silva (15) all contributed.
Read New Zealand player tests positive for Covid-19 in Dhaka
On the other hand, Pakistan's bowlers constantly found a way to get them out and finally wrapped them up comfortably.
Earlier, Pakistan declared their first innings 302/9d after batting first. Captain Babar Azam scored 75 runs, while middle-order batsman Fawad Alam smashed a 124-run knock.
Mohammad Rizwan (31) and Faheem Ashraf (26) both contributed with the bat to move then innings ahead.
The Windies were bowled out for only 150 runs in their first innings after trailing by a big margin. For the Caribbean team, Nkrumah Bonner (37) had the highest score.
Read Blackcaps arrive in Dhaka for T20 series
Pakistan began their second innings with a lot of aggression after taking a big 152-run lead in the first innings. Imran Butt (37), Abid Ali (29), Azhar Ali (22), and Babar Azam (33) were among
Pakistan's top and middle-order batsmen who helped the team to a comfortable lead in the second innings. Pakistan bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi took ten wickets in this 2-match Test contest. He won both player of the match and player of the series awards. Shaheen Afridi also took the most 18 wickets in the series, with Jayden Seales coming in second with 11 wickets. Babar Azam tops the batting chart with 193 runs, followed by Fawad Alam (180) and West Indies all-rounder Jason Holder (147).
Read New Zealand T20Is: Tigers to enter bio-secure bubble Tuesday
Bottom Line
Pakistan made a strong comeback in the second Test of the WI vs. PAK 2021 series after failing to win the first despite being in a strong position. Pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi and all-rounder Fawad Alam produced great performances in the match. Captain Babar Azam, Mohamad Abbas, and Hasan Ali all played important roles in the game. The victory secured a 1-1 series draw, as well as Pakistan's first ICC Test Championship points in the tournament's second season. Pakistan will play Bangladesh in their second Test Championship series in November. On the other side, this will be Bangladesh's maiden Test series of the second edition of the tournament.
Read T20 Ranking : How Bangladesh Can Become No. 5 T20I Team at the End of the New Zealand series?
PM greets Tigers for Test series win against Zimbabwe
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Sunday congratulated the Bangladesh cricket team for their big victory against Zimbabwe in the Harare Test.
In a congratulatory message, the prime minister greeted the players, coaches and officials of the national cricket team.
Also read: Bangladesh beat Zimbabwe by 220 runs in one-off Test
Bangladesh beat Zimbabwe by 220 runs on the final day of the one-match Test series.
Karunaratne brings up a ton after being dropped by Bangladesh
Sri Lankan Test captain Dimuth Karunaratne brings up his second consecutive Test ton in the second and final Test of the two-match series against Bangladesh in Kandy on Thursday.
He was dropped by Najmul Hossain Shanto at the slip region when he was 28. Karunaratne exploited the chance of hitting a ton.
Also Read: Sri Lanka off to cautious start as Bangladesh miss early chances
At the Tea break of the first day, Sri Lanka were batting at 188 for none in 58 overs with Karunaratne and his opening partner Lahiru Thirimanne were batting at 108 and 80 respectively.
It was the 12th Test hundred for Karunaratne, the highest by any active Sri Lankan player.
The wicket looked fairly dead in this Test as well. In the first Test, the wicket was flat and bowlers had nothing to get from the track.
The International Cricket Council has rated the wicket as below average due to its failure to provide a balanced opportunity to the batsmen and bowlers. The ground has awarded one demerit point as well.
Also Read: Sri Lanka bat first, Shoriful makes Test debut
In the first session of the day, Bangladeshi bowlers were more disciplined, but in the second, they seemed to be a bit random and aimless.
The first Test of the series ended in a draw, where Karunaratne had smashed a double-ton. Bangladesh’s Najmul and Mominul Haque had also hit a ton each.
Bangladesh made one change in this game including debutant Shorfiul Islam to replace Ebadot Hossain while Sri Lanka made two changes adding Lakshan Sandakan and Chamika Karunaratne to their squad to replace Lahiru Kumara and Dilshan Madushanka. Chamika Karunaratne made his debut with this game.
Taijul bemoans docile track
Bangladesh left-arm spinner Taijul Islam believes the wicket at Kandy is not helping the bowlers much, making a push for victory in the first Test against Sri Lanka unlikely for the Tigers.
At the end of day three, the hosts in their first innings were comfortably placed to avoid the follow on at 229/3 in reply to Bangladesh's mammoth 541/7 declared. Captain Dimuth Karunaratne and Dhananjaya de Silva will resume on day 4 unbeaten with 85 and 26 respectively.
Also Read: Sri Lanka make steady progress against Bangladesh's 541
Earlier, riding on a maiden century for Najmul Hossain Shanto and maiden away century for captain Mominul Haque, Bangladesh posted an impressive first innings total. Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim and Liton Das also did well hitting a fifty each. But clearly the lifeless pitch also played its part.
“To be honest, there is no help from the wicket to create a situation to win this game. It’s the same for the pace-bowler and the spinners,” Taijul said in a virtual press conference after play wrapped up on day 3.
Also Read: Kandy Test: Bangladesh declare posting a mammoth score
“We have to work hard maintaining discipline. If we can ensure that, we may be able to create a situation to win this game,” Taijul added. The left-arm spinner did bag a wicket with a peach of a delivery to remove the dangerous Angelo Mathews. Other than that, it was pretty tough going under the hot Sri Lankan sun.
While describing the plan for the next day, Taijul said that they will take the field eyeing a victory but will make sure that they don’t lose this game from this stage.
Possibly the best chance of a result in this game lies in Bangladesh being able to bowl their hosts out for 341 or less in the first innings - the follow on target. Sri Lanka are currently 112 runs short of that with 7 wickets in hand.
Bangladesh are missing the service of the spin bowling consultant Daniel Vettori. Due to Covid-19 restriction in his country, Vettori was unable to travel to Sri Lanka. In his absence, the Bangladesh Cricket Board appointed Sohel Islam as the spin bowling coach for the Sri Lanka tour.
“We never get the service of a spin bowling consultant for a longer period of time. I have previously worked with Sohel personally. He understands the problem I’m facing. He just needs to see me once. I really feel comfortable working with him. I think we can do something good together,” Taijul added.
Bangladesh’s Sri Lanka tour for two Tests finalised
The Sri Lanka tour of Bangladesh for a two-match Test series has been finalised.
Tigers end practice camp at Queenstown
Bangladesh national team ended their practice camp in Queenstown with an intra-squad practice game on Tuesday. The Tigers are now set to travel to Dunedin for the first match of the three-match ODI series starting from March 20.