Who makes the cut for Bangladesh's all-time Test XI?

The Bangladesh cricket team, known as the Tigers, became the 10th Test-playing nation when they made their Test debut in November 2000. That game ended in a nine-wicket loss to India but it began their journey as a fully-fledged member of the ICC after being an associate member since 1977.

Predominately a football nation, cricket steadily gained popularity and by the late 1990s cricket had supplanted football as the most popular sport in the country, at a time that an associate nation Bangladesh was performing strongly in white-ball cricket and solidified their push for full ICC membership.

Bangladesh have largely been starved of success at Test level, only achieving a best ranking of eighth in 2018 and in their 23 years of Test membership they have only managed to win 16 of their 136 Test matches. They unfortunately hold the distinction of owning the record for most consecutive losses in both Test cricket with 21 matches and ODI cricket with 23 losses.

Bangladesh’s first Test win came against Zimbabwe in 2005, then with a draw in the second Test of the series gave them their first series win. In 2009 on a tour to the West Indies they would secure a 2-0 victory, giving them their first-ever overseas series win.

Over the years the Tigers struggled for any genuine consistency at Test level and had a consistent turnover of coaches trying to find the right foot forward. Despite developing into a respectable nation in white-ball cricket, consistency in the Test arena escaped them.

Towards the middle of the 2010s they became a stronger home team, securing draws against Pakistan, India and South Africa and securing wins over England, Sri Lanka, New Zealand and Australia.

Bangladesh were a tricky team to whittle down to a best XI. Due to their indifferent history a lot of their best cricket is ahead of them and as such the team has a number of players who are still active as the nation is consistently on the improve.

As it was in real life a struggle to take wickets especially abroad contributed to their struggles and as such there are few standout bowlers to make up the XI. However, there are a number of classy batters who have records that stand right up with many of their international peers along with arguably the best Test all-rounder in the 21st century.

Tamim Iqbal (Tests: 69, average: 39.09, HS: 203)

One of Bangladesh’s most accomplished batsman, the stylish opener was a force to be reckoned with from the moment he arrived on the scene. Known for an attacking style at the top of the order on his way to 10 centuries and 31 fifties. He is the third-youngest player in history to achieve 1000 Test runs.

He is the only Bangladeshi player to score a century in each format and the second Bangladeshi player to be named to Wisden’s Test Player of the Year in 2011.

Imrul Kayes (Tests: 39, average: 24.28, HS: 150)

Despite meagre personal stats Kayes and Iqbal form the most prolific Test and ODI partnership in Bangladesh’s history. The pair hold the record for the highest opening partnership in the second innings when they went to 312.

Habibul Bashar (c) (Tests: 50, average: 30.87, HS: 113)

A dashing and dynamic captain, Bashar was one of the few consistent lights in the early days of Bangladesh Test cricket. He was known as Mr Fifty for his proficiency on reaching the milestone, 24 times in total. He courageous style often worked against him as he regularly was dismissed playing the hook shot. As a captain he led Bangladesh to their first victory and led Bangladesh in the 2007 World Cup, their most successful campaign.

Mominul Haque (Tests: 56, average: 37.68, HS: 181)

A stylish left handed batsman, Haque burst onto the scene with an appetite for runs. He had scored four Test centuries in his first 15 games and scored a half century in 11 consecutive matches. He was also the first Bangladeshi batsman to score hundreds in both innings of a Test match. He currently has the most Test hundreds by a Bangladeshi batsman.

Shakib Al Hasan (Tests: 66, average: 39.07, HS: 217)
(wickets: 233, average: 31.06)

An aggressive middle order batsman and a brilliant left arm spinner, Shakib is one of the truly world-class players to come out of Bangladesh. One of the best all-rounders of all time, the current Test captain has galvanised the team into international relevancy.

Clearly the greatest player to come from Bangladesh, his accurate skilful bowling and wide array of aggressive stroke play will ensure he is highly regarded in the annals of cricket history.

Mushfiqur Rahim (wk) (Tests: 85, average: 38.44, HS: 219*)

A prodigy from a young age, selected at the age of 16 for a tour to England a strong showing in the tour games saw him become the youngest player to ever play a game at Lords. One of the more dependable batsman, often being touted as being able to bat anywhere in the order. He is the first wicketkeeper to score two double centuries in Test cricket and only Bangladeshi batsman to score three double hundreds.

(Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

Liton Das (Tests: 38, average: 35.67, HS: 141)

Talented, aggressive and an appetite for runs. Three hundreds and 15 fifties so far in his young career and looks to be the lynchpin of the next generation of Bangladeshi stars. In January of 2022 he reached 12th in the ICC Test batting rankings – the highest spot held by a Bangladeshi player.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz (Tests: 38, wickets 148, average: 33.98)

The bowling all-rounder was identified very early on as a prestigious talent from his successes with the Under 19 team. He became the youngest Bangladeshi bowler to take a five-wicket haul on his debut and by the second Test of the series had taken three five-wicket hauls, winning the player of the series in his debut games.

His classy off-spin bowling has netted 14 hauls of four wickets or better in his career to date. Showed plenty of promise with the bat and is slowly beginning to realise that talent with a century and three half-centuries to his name. Currently just 25 years old, he is primed to be a huge part of Bangladesh’s future success.

Mashrafe Mortaza (Tests: 36, wickets: 78, average: 41.52)

It’s this part of the game where Bangladesh have struggled to gain enough traction to make headway especially overseas, their fast bowling stocks. Mortaza burst onto the scene raising the eyebrows of members of the fast bowling fraternity like Andy Roberts. His raw pace made him one of the few strike bowlers with the genuine speed to trouble batsmen.

Unfortunately, injuries cruelled a promising career. Seven surgeries on knees, ankles and legs. With his combination of raw skill and pace his career is a classic ‘what if’.

Taijul Islam (Tests: 41, wickets: 175, average: 32.38)

Another in a long line of quality left arm spinners from Bangladesh. In only his third Test, the left arm spinner took an 8-39 which are the best figures by a Bangladeshi in Test cricket. Currently only trails Shakib Al Hasan for most Test wickets for Bangladesh. He has become a vital part of Bangladesh’s line-up in Test and ODI cricket.

Mustafizur Rahman (Tests: 15, wickets: 31, average: 36.74)

His inclusion in our side perfectly highlights the shortcomings of Bangladesh cricket. So barren is their pace battery that Rahman’s meagre Test record finds its way onto this list. Needing another quick bowler Rahman’s record is the best of a bad bunch. Injuries have led to a stop-start beginning to his career but as we have seen from his white-ball proficiency, the left arm pacer is a serious talent.

His first class record is impressive – taking 92 wickets at 26.79.

12th man: Mahmudullah (Tests: 50, average: 33.49, HS: 150*)

Originally starting out as a bowler he refined his game and became a dependable middle order batsman who could bowl some handy off-spin. Most comfortable batting in the lower order, he has scored two of his five Test centuries batting at 8.

Honourable mentions: Mohammad Ashraful, Nasir Hossain, Mohammad Rafique.

Bangladesh’s best cricket is ahead of them as a nation, they are steadily catching the pack as an ODI nation and in their home conditions are good enough to win Test matches against any nation. Consistency and unearthing some better fast bowlers are crucial if Bangladesh is to become a legitimate threat outside of their borders.

Look what happened for India once they established a legitimate and deep fast bowling battery.

They have already had a number of talented batsman come through and a truly world class allrounder. They frustratingly feel like the next level is almost within grasp so many times without ever quite reaching out and grabbing it.