If only Mominul Haque hadn’t lost his wicket on the stroke of lunch, Bangladesh would’ve scored 350-plus.
If only Soumya Sarkar didn’t drop Tom Latham on zero, our bowlers would’ve done better. But screw the if-only crap and get straight to the point – New Zealand have outplayed Bangladesh in all aspects of the first Test match in Hamilton.
Sent in to bat on a flat track, opener Tamim Iqbal scored a quality ton, yet no-one bar Shadman Islam and Liton Das showed any sort of application as Bangladesh were bowled out for an under-par 234, with Neil Wagner bouncing his way to a five-wicket haul. You know that Wagner will look to bounce you out, yet only Tamim Iqbal had a plan to counter him by moving across his stumps. The rest just took the easy option and looked to play strokes rather than bat time, as shown in their dismissals.
Things didn’t get easier watching it as a Bangladesh fan. Our quicks toiled to no avail. Mehedi Hasan was harshly exposed outside of the Subcontinent, and only Soumya Sarkar had respectable bowling figures, with 2-68 off 21 overs as the Black Caps declared their way to 6-715.
The second innings started brightly for us but the bad old habits crept in as Bangladesh slumped to 4-124 despite an 88-run opening stand. Finally, for the first time in the tour of NZ, the batsmen showed some fight. Captain Mahmudullah and Soumya Sarkar put on a 237 run stand, scoring 146 and 149 respectively while holding off a bodyline-type barrage from the Kiwi quicks and fighting fire with ice. Despite losing the match by an innings, the stand proved that Bangladesh can compete against New Zealand at least with the bat.
Mahmudullah has now got three Test centuries in his last four Test matches – two as captain in Shakib Al Hasan’s absence. Four Tests ago he had only one Test century. It’s funny what leadership can do to a player. He’s led from the front with the bat and he’s reaping the rewards. Hopefully he doesn’t have to come into a crisis again – hopefully the top order actually do their job.
Soumya Sarkar wasn’t even in the Test squad originally – he was drafted in as cover following the injury of Mushfiqur Rahim. An average of 26 before this Test with a few flashy 50s showed there was potential but not a high price on his wicket. However, in Hamilton he has shown he can restrain himself from his natural game for a period of time and bat time as well. I’m sure taking two wickets and bowling tightly gave him confidence before he walked out to bat in the second innings and I hope he’s used more often as a fifth bowling option in overseas conditions, which will do him and Bangladesh cricket some good.
I feel for our pacers. The three showed aggression and toiled but poor fielding let them down. I hope their confidence doesn’t deter from this performance and that they are hungry come the second Test on Friday. I’m worried about Mehedi Hasan. On his second tour of New Zealand he seems to not have learnt from his previous tour two years ago. He was completely wayward and leaked runs consistently, something spin bowling coach Sunil Joshi won’t be pleased with.
I’m not even thinking of a win come Friday. But let’s take heart from Soumya, Mahmudullah and Tamim’s innings and apply ourselves in Wellington. This three-Test series will give us the exposure Bangladesh cricket needs and maybe this series will make us finally change how our first-class cricket is run.
First-Test stats
My XI for the second Test
Paul
Roar Guru
Yeah, it's funny I saw and heard something completely different, which might explain the umpires decision
Targa
Guest
No, I'm applying what I saw and heard. Of course he should have been out, but well done to Mahmudullah for cashing in. Here are the comments from Cricinfo: 30.3 0 Southee to Mahmudullah, no run, huge appeal for caught, given not out and New Zealand review! There was a noise as it went past the bat. Watling didn't really appeal, but everyone else did. There is a mark on RTS, do they match up with bat on ball? The third umpire says they don't! Well, well Williamson isn't impressed by this. There was a clear spike on RTS the frame after the ball passed the bat on the replay. No idea what that sound could have been otherwise Tom: "That's an interesting decision from the 3rd ump the exact same thing was given out in the Aus-India series " Maheshreedy Gad: "Third umpires seriously need some physics classes. Sound waves require time to travel. That is clear out." James Iyer: "Now come on. That is surely out. The only reason why he isn't walking back is because they haven't got enough frames. using technology in sports is all well and good, but when when common sense takes a back seat as a result..." Henare: "I'm sorry, but the logic for RTS is being applied poorly by the umpires yet again. The spike is in the first frame as the ball passes the bat, which is out. It is impossible to expect the frame rate to capture at point of contact every time, and when it doesn't, the above logic must apply." Dale: "What if that decision was in the World Cup final. Review also lost to a clear mistake from the 3rd ump." Dave: "Are they using hotspot?" Yep, but that wasn't clear. Quite a few reflections off the bat on that appeal
Paul
Roar Guru
If the money's there, getting some of these guys into the England or Australian cricket academy wouldn't hurt either. They'd obviously get experience playing in another country but would also get so much benefit from intensive coaching with some of the games best.
Arnab Bhattacharya
Roar Guru
There are a few youngsters who have already played for Bangladesh A in four day games and have done okay. Shoriful Islam is 17 and can bowl mid 130s. 22 wickets at an average off 22.5 in 8 first class games. Yeasin Arafat is 20 years old and can low 140s and sometimes 147ish. 18 wickets at an average of 25.5 in 7 first class games. I think we need to start playing with the Dukes ball and create pitches which replicate SENA nations. This will test batsmen's technique while also keeping fast bowlers alive in the country. Spinners will also learn how to play a defensive role to ensure they're prepared come these tours.
Paul
Roar Guru
It might also spur on some fast bowlers yet to play first class cricket in Bangladesh to really try and make the Test team. The current quicks are willing but in a country with that many people, there has to be some guys with real fast bowling talent.
Arnab Bhattacharya
Roar Guru
Yeah I usually like Neil Wagner's aggression but he went over the top this time. Mahmudullah is the least aggressive player in the Bangladesh team and if he gets riled up, then obviously something has gone wrong. Last time we played in Wellington we scored 595 but still ended up losing. Just get runs on the board in the first innings and see how we go from there. Even if we do lose 3-0 (most likely will), this series gives us the exposure we need now.
Paul
Roar Guru
sorry Targa, but you're listening to the Kiwi commentators who have decided a noise that appears AFTER the ball passes the bat, should be given out because of time lag. They then used a completely different logic with the last guy out because there was a noise spike at the same time as the ball past the bat. You can't have it both ways.
Targa
Guest
Bangladesh fought hard but Mahmudullah (who is a good player) should've been out for a duck instead of 146 had the 3rd umpire had his eyes open. It is a shame that Williamson declared when he did as De Grandhomme was closing in on another hundred. Williamson is now the first NZer with 20 test 100s and he could regain his no 1 ranking from Kohli.
Paul
Roar Guru
The Kiwis seemed to resort to the sort of sledging Australia was using 12 months ago which was not pretty. It also showed how well the Bangladesh batsmen played as they clearly got under the skin of the Kiwi quicks. I too doubt anything but an NZ win but after Sri Lanka in South Africa and the Windies versus England, anything's possible.