test
“It’s unfortunate” says Naimur about Bangladesh’s Test debacle
The first Test captain of Bangladesh, Naimur Rahman, said that the continued failure in Test cricket is an unwanted fate for Bangladesh.
Over the last three years, Bangladesh played 19 Tests and lost 14 of them with only three wins and two draws. In most cases, batters lost the game for the teams. They failed to impress both at home and abroad.
Recently, Bangladesh played a home series against Sri Lanka and ended up losing by 1-0. The Tigers also lost the first match of the two-match Test series against West Indies in Antigua despite being more experienced than the hosts.
In the second Test against Sri Lanka and first against West Indies, six Bangladeshi batters failed to score anything. Along the process, Bangladesh became the first team in history to suffer six ducks in consecutive Tests.
“Compared to our time, players get more facilities now,” Naimur said. “In that sense, it’s unfortunate that we are not being able to earn the result we deserve. As a nation, as the board, organizers or spectators, everyone wants to do well in the shorter format of the game.”
As of the first Test in the ongoing series against the West Indies, Bangladesh played 133 Tests and won only 16 of them. Naimur believes the situation is the result of Bangladesh’s lesser attention to the longer format of cricket.
READ: BAN vs WI Series 2022: How Bangladesh’s players fared in first Test
“Test is the main cricket,” Naimur said. “It’s been years since we got the Test status. So we have to do well now. I think if we don’t concentrate on the longer version of cricket on the domestic circuit, we won’t be able to do well.”
In the first Test of the ongoing series in the West Indies, Bangladesh were tumbled for 103 in the first innings with six batters failing to score anything. Shakib Al Hasan, the newly-appointed Test captain was the only batter to have scored runs— the fifties in both innings.
After the first match, Shakib slammed the batters for their failure to take up the responsibilities. He said it would be easy for him to axe the players if the poor cricket continues from them.
The second Test of this series will take place on June 24. After the two-match Test series, both the teams will take on each other in a three-match ODI and two-match T20I series.
Antigua Test: Mehidy fights back taking four wickets
Right-arm spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz bagged four wickets for Bangladesh in the ongoing Antigua Test against the West Indies on Friday.
The West Indies ended up their first innings on 265 for all wickets ensuring a 162-run first-innings lead.
Kraigg Brathwaite, the West Indies captain, scored 94 while Nkrumah Bonner and Jermaine Blackwood came up with a fifty as well.
The hosts lost their last five wickets in just 41 runs, and four of them are taken by Mehidy who ended up taking four wickets conceding 59 runs in 22.5 overs. Khaled Ahmed and Ebadot Hossain bagged two wickets each.
Had Bangladesh not dropped at least four catches, the West Indies would have been wrapped up earlier.
Being behind by 162 runs, Bangladesh started their second innings and at the end of day two, they were batting at 50 for two. Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Najmul Hossain Shanto remained unbeaten for 18 and 8 respectively.
READ: England hits ODI world-record 498-4 against the Netherlands
Bangladesh made a cautious start as the openers batted for 9.4 overs before Tamim Iqbal (22) fell victim to Alzarri Joseph who was the first changed bowler for the hosts.
Mehidy got to bat at number three— a surprising move from Bangladesh. But the right-handed batter, who has a ton against West Indies at home, failed to impress this time. He made 2 of 6 balls.
Bangladesh lost both the wickets to Alzarri Joseph.
Earlier, Bangladesh were bundled out for only 103 in the first innings. They suffered six ducks in that innings— which was the second consecutive instance when they suffered six ducks in a Test. The previous one was at home against Sri Lanka.
Shakib Al Hasan, the Bangladesh captain, was the only batter to have scored a fifty for the Tigers. Tamim scored 29, and Liton Das was the only other batter to reach a double-digit total with 12.
Jayden Seales and Joseph bagged three wickets each in the first innings.
Antigua Test: Bangladesh 103 all out in first-innings
Bangladesh were all out for 103 in the first-innings of the Antigua Test against the hosts West Indies Thursday.
Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mominul Haque, Nurul Hasan, Mustafizur Rahman and Khaled Ahmed were out for ducks.
Put to bat first after losing the toss, the visitors lost six wickets before the lunch break in 32.5 overs.
For the hosts, Jayden Seales, Alzari Joseph took three wickets each, and Roach, Kyle Mayers bagged two wickets each.
Bangladesh lost their first wicket when Joy made a golden duck off the second ball of the innings after Tamim Iqbal managed to score a single off the first ball.
Kemar Roach picked up the first two wickets.
After that, Mominul, Nurul, Mustafizur and Khaled also made golden ducks.
This is the second consecutive Test when Bangladesh made six ducks in a single innings. Bangladesh made as many ducks in the second Test in Dhaka against Sri Lanka.
New Bangladesh Test captain Shakib Al Hasan top-scored for the Tigers (51).
Tamim scored the second-highest runs (29). The other batter who reached a double-digit figure was Liton Das (12).
The Test is not being broadcast in Bangladesh as no television channel showed interest to do so.
However, visitors from Bangladesh can watch the match on a website managed by the International Cricket Council by subscribing to it.
Also read: Tamim becomes Bangladesh's fasted 5,000 runs scorer in Test
DU holds 'Ka' unit admission test
Dhaka University (DU) on Friday held the admission test of the 'Ka' unit under the Faculty of Science for the 2021-22 academic session.
The test was held at designated exam centres across the eight divisions of the country. The test began at 11am for a duration of one-and-a-half hours.
"This year, we decided to hold the exams in all eight divisions of the country to minimise the sufferings of the candidates and their parents," said DU vice-chancellor Prof Akhtaruzzaman after visiting an exam centre at Curzon hall.
READ: DU admission tests to start from June 3
"Pharmacy faculty dean Prof Dr Sitesh Chandra Bachar coordinating the unit exam and vice-chancellors of the respective universities helped us in this regard. I was told that the exams were held smoothly," he said.
This year, 1,15,726 students had applied for 1,851 seats in the 'Ka' unit.
Besides DU, the admission test was held at the University of Chittagong, the University of Rajshahi, Khulna University, University of Barishal, Bangladesh Agricultural University of Mymensingh, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology in Sylhet and Begum Rokeya University of Rangpur.
Chattogram Test: Bangladesh in driving seat
Bangladesh are in the driving seat of Chattogram Test after taking up two quick wickets at the end of day four as Sri Lanka are still trailing by 29 runs.
Ensuring a 68-run lead in the first innings, Bangladesh declared their first innings at 465 for nine in reply to Sri Lanka’s first innings of 397. Sri Lanka ended day four at 39 for two in 17.1 overs.
Oshada Fernando was the first wicket to fall in Sri Lanka’s second innings when Taijul Islam broke his stumps in a splendid fielding effort. Taijul also came in to remove Lasith Embuldeniya, the nightwatchman, as a bowler.
These two wickets pushed the visitors into further trouble in Chattogram Test.
Earlier, After Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiur Rahim also hit a century in Bangladesh’s first innings. Along the way, Mushfiqur became the first Bangladeshi batter to have scored 5,000 runs in Test cricket.
It was Mushfiqur’s eighth century in the format and first after 18 innings. He notched up his last ton before this in 2020 against Zimbabwe in Dhaka.
READ: Ctg test: Bangladesh declare ensuring a 68-run lead
Bangladesh did not lose any wicket in the first session of day four, but off the first over of the second session, the hosts lost two wickets— Liton Das and Tamim Iqbal with the latter resumed his innings after lunch of day four. Tamim had left the field on day three with a cramped right hand.
Bangladesh batted in a slow manner which actually was an attempt to ensure that they would not lose this match from this stage.
For Sri Lanka, Kasun Rajitha bagged four wickets conceding 60 runs while Asitha Fernando took three.
Winning the toss, Sri Lanka opted to bat first in this match and ended their first innings at 397 with an outstanding 199 by Angelo Mathews.
For Bangladesh, Nayeem Hasan bagged six wickets in the first innings which is now the best bowling innings by him in the format. It was the third five-for for the right-handed spinner.
Elgar, Bavuma hit fifties as South Africa post 233/4 on day 1
South African captain Dean Elgar and Temba Bavuma hit a fifty each on day one of the Durban Test against Bangladesh on Thursday.
At stumps, the hosts cruised to 233 losing four wickets with Bavuma remaining unbeaten for 53.
Bangladesh have won the toss and opted to bowl first. They failed to impress with the ball in the first session of the day.
The hosts took advantage of the poor bowling display by the visitors.
In the second session, Bangladesh managed to take three wickets and it was the best session for the visitors so far.
In the first wicket stand, Elgar and Sarel Erwee added 113 runs. Right-arm pacer Khaled Ahmed broke the stand taking the wicket of Elgar during the 33 over.
Read: Bangladesh bowl first against South Africa in first Test
The other two wickets were taken by Ebadot Hossain and Mehidy Hasan Miraz. The hosts lost a wicket trapped in a run-out by a good effort from Mehidy.
The play of the first day was called off early due to the bad light on the ground. The match was also delayed to start due to a malfunction at the sightscreen.
Ahead of this series, Bangladesh faced South Africa in 12 matches and failed to win any of them. But in this tour of South Africa, Bangladesh already won the ODI series, and they are charged up to do something memorable in the Test series too.
But the Tigers are not getting the service of two of their mainstays— Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal. While Shakib is out for some personal reason, Tamim failed to make it to the playing XI due to stomachache.
The second Test of the series will take place at Port Elizabeth on April 8.
Bangladesh bowl first against South Africa in first Test
Bangladesh captain Mominul Haque won the toss and opted to bowl first in the first Test of the two-match series against South Africa in Durban.
Tamim Iqbal is missing this match due to stomach problem, team physio Bayezedul Islam has said.
Read:Tigers look to continue the winning streak against South Africa
Ahead of this series, Bangladesh and South Africa played 12 Tests against each other. Bangladesh failed to win any of those games.
Bangladesh are charged up with their recent ODI series win against South Africa. Taskin Ahmed did tremendously well in that series. The right-arm pacer is expected to lead the Bangladesh pace battery in the Test series as well.
Bangladesh are going to miss the service of Shakib Al Hasan. The allrounder returned home after the ODI series in South Africa to stay with the ailing members of his family.
While Bangladesh are without Shakib, South Africa are without some of their key players who preferred IPL over the Test series against Bangladesh.
Read:SA vs BAN Series 2022: Bangladesh Aim Unprecedented Feat on South African Territory
Bangladesh (Playing XI): Shadman Islam, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Mominul Haque (c), Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim, Liton Das (w), Yasir Ali, Mehidy Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Khaled Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain
South Africa (Playing XI): Dean Elgar (c), Sarel Erwee, Keegan Petersen, Temba Bavuma, Ryan Rickelton, Kyle Verreynne (w), Wiaan Mulder, Keshav Maharaj, Simon Harmer, Lizaad Williams, Duanne Olivier
Two arrested for giving proxy at ‘office assistant’ test
A student of Chattogram University and another were arrested while giving proxy for others at the office assistant recruitment test at the Chittagong City Corporation Municipal Model School and College Center on Friday.
The arrestees are- Abdul Quader Rimon,25, a student of the Anthropology Department of Chittagong University and Jalal Uddin,24.
Ashraful Alam, the executive magistrate of the district administration, said when matching the appearance of the examinee with the picture of the attendance sheet in the examination hall, there was an inconsistency.
READ: 2 arrested for raping teenager in Gazipur
After searching the information of the attendance sheet and the picture of the admission card and other information, CU student Rimon was caught for giving a proxy for another candidate named Haider Rashid.
In primary interrogation, Rimon confessed that he contracted Tk 5000 for a proxy.
Later, based on his information, an operation was carried out in New Market, Riazuddin Bazar area and detained Jalal Uddin from Chattogram City Corporation Municipal School area around 1 pm, said Ashraful Alam.
READ: Fmr minister Mosharraf’s brother arrested in Tk 2,000cr money laundering case
Efforts are underway to arrest the remaining members of this fraudulent ring, he added.
Bangladesh takes lead after Mominul, Liton heroics
In the first Test of the two-match series against New Zealand, both Mominul Haque and Liton Das hit a fifty each as Bangladesh secured a first-innings lead which was rising at the last session of day three at Mount Maunganui.
Mominul and Liton added 158 runs in the fifth wicket stand. The stand was broken when Mominul fell for 88— short of 12 runs of his second Test century abroad.
Read:NZ vs BAN 1st Test 2021: Bangladesh Sustains Hope Till the End of Day 2
Bangladesh ended day two at 175 for two with Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Mominul remaining unbeaten for 70 and eight respectively.
Joy fell for 78 after adding only eight to his overnight total while Mominul remained firm at the other end of the wicket.
It was Joy’s maiden fifty in Test cricket. Before this match, he played only one Test. The 21-year-old batter was one of the best in the world during his U-19 cricketing days. He had a century in the last U-19 World Cup that Bangladesh won beating India in the final.
Mushfiqur Rahim failed to impress as he fell for 12 off 53 balls.
In the next wicket stand, Liton joined Mominul and made New Zealand bowlers toil. Mominul registered his 15th fifty in Test, and right after that, Liton recorded his 11th fifty in the format.
Read:Shanto, Joy hit fifties as Bangladesh reply strongly
After Mominul, Trent Boult also removed Liton for 86. One ball earlier of his dismissal, Liton survived a caught-behind appeal from New Zealand, but eventually, he fell prey to the same kind of dismissal.
At the end of 145 overs, Bangladesh were batting at 370 for six in reply to New Zealand’s first innings of 328. Bangladesh already secured a lead of 42 runs with four wickets in hand.
Chattogram Test: Taijul bags three, Abid Ali hits a ton
Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam scalped three wickets in the morning session of the third day of the ongoing Chattogram Test against Pakistan on Sunday at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium.
At the lunch break of the third day, Pakistan were batting at 203 for four. The tourists are trailing by 127 runs with six wickets in hand.
On the two previous days, no team has lost any wickets in the second and third session, but that trend is guaranteed to continue on the third day as the Bangladeshi spinners are taking control.
In the very first over, Taijul removed Abdullah Shafique and Azhar Ali off successive balls. Debutant Shafique fell to Taijul scoring 52. In the next ball, Azhar Ali suffered a golden duck.
READ: Axar Patel's 5-62 gives India 63-run lead on day 3 vs NZ
The next two wickets— Babar Azam and Fawad Alam— were removed by Taijul and Mehidy Hasan Miraz.
Abid Ali completed his century as well. He remained unbeaten at 127 at the lunch break along with Mohammad Rizwan who scored 5.
Earlier, Bangladesh posted 330 in the first innings of the match riding on the maiden Test ton of Liton Das. Mushfiqur Rahim also came up with a well-composed 91. For Pakistan, Hasan Ali bagged five wickets.
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