What is in store for Mirpur?

If the Chittagong Test had ended in a mundane draw the Bangladesh team may have been left to wonder what benefit they could take from that result, but instead the Test provided something for the hosts to cheer, thanks largely to Mominul Haque's judicious batting display on the final day.

Bangladesh achieved the result in Chittagong that they actually desired but it was the way they batted out for a draw after digging themselves into the hole of 80 for three on a benign surface that gave them ample reason to return to Dhaka in good spirits.

Bangladesh took a giant step forward in shaping a strong mentality to win Test matches at home when they challenged formidable teams like England in 2016 and Australia in 2017 with spin-friendly conditions in Chittagong. They lost both matches but gained something precious -- a positive mindset.

It is however not fully clear what put them on the back foot this time. Was it the absence of Shakib Al Hasan or the fear factor of Sri Lanka's spin attack, particularly the presence of the prolific Rangana Hearth?

There was however no ambiguity about the hosts' plans ahead of the Chittagong Test, as the submissive character of the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium and the subsequent silence of home players regarding the dead pitch gave a strong indication of a defensive mindset.

The question remains about whether Bangladesh fully capitalised on the conditions dictated by their self-imposed defensive outlook. They crossed 500 in their first innings and fought back in the second innings, but the reality is that they could not control proceedings despite luck favouring them at the toss, after which they could have tired Sri Lanka with a prolonged leather chase. It was however Sri Lanka who did that with a 700-plus total when it was their turn to bat.

It is of course not possible for team management to chalk out a winning plan if the players do not subscribe to it and, of course, Shakib's absence is a big factor because he is not only a talisman from one end but also creates opportunities for others to succeed. So it is natural to wonder who other than Shakib will take wickets but if one player's absence upends the whole thought process, we have to take a deeper look into the matter.

Bangladesh batsman Mosaddek Hossain and skipper Mahmudullah Riyad were relieved after helping secure a draw on the fifth day of the first Test in Chittagong on Sunday, but there was not much to smile about on the day before when the Tigers seemed to be hurtling towards another second-innings debacle. Photo: Star File

It was a happy ending in Chittagong but now the question is whether the think-tank will like to repeat that kind of happiness at Mirpur when the second Test starts from February 8, or go for something different.

Nothing has changed as Shakib was ruled out for the second Test too. The inclusion of batsman  Sabbir Rahman and the exclusion of left-arm spinner Sunzamul Islam only hints at the uncertainties that plague the team management.

"Our target will be to win the second Test and we will do everything according to this target. Our boys have to have the winning mentally even in Shakib's absence," said team technical director Khaled Mahmud yesterday. It remains to be seen if those words were uttered just because they sound good or if there really will be a U-turn from their Chittagong ploy.

Regardless, the home team need to depend on their spinners to create something positive but a close associate of the team depicted the dilemma very well. "Look, changes in the team for the second Test clearly shows the restlessness in thinking. We actually have a lack of clarity about our desire. It is good if we go for a win in the second Test. But remember that our spinners will only be effective if it's a turning track and in that case, our batsmen should show courage to take up the challenge against Sri Lanka's spin attack and only then will the positive thinking be logical."

So, whether it will be another safe ploy or a challenging one will be determined not just by strength, but also by courage.