The Bangladesh cricket team has long epitomised an on-again, off-again pattern -- considering their enduring struggle with inconsistency across all formats.
Currently ranked 10th in the ICC ODI rankings -- their lowest position in two decades -- Bangladesh are in need of a turnaround, and Miraz hopes the team can rise from this slump and see the Tigers transform into a settled ODI side within a year.
In Bangladesh’s last Test tour of Sri Lanka in 2021, Praveen Jayawickrama picked up 11 wickets in the Kandy Test to see the hosts win by 209 runs and clinch the series 1-0.
Evolving and growing through every phase of life is a natural phenomenon. For most, this brings about positive changes. But for the Bangladesh cricket team, the exact opposite is the case, as in every new series and tour, the Tigers unlock new problem areas in their game.
In his address, the former Bangladesh captain stressed the urgent need to launch four new development programmes. However, there were no discussions about elections or constitutional reforms.
A key aspect of the preparations will be adapting to the slightly spin-friendly pitch at Galle, where the first Test is scheduled to begin on June 17.
It was 2005 when an 18-year-old Mushfiqur, a surprise inclusion in Bangladesh’s squad for their maiden tour of England, debuted at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground.
Former captains Habibul Bashar, Minhajul Abedin Nannu, and Khaled Mashud Pilot didn't mince words: this isn't just a passing stumble. It's a full-blown crisis in Bangladesh cricket.
Despite posting an imposing 205 for five in the second and penultimate T20I on Monday, the Tigers fell apart in the field, suffering their first-ever loss to the hosts in any format.
Sure, Saifuddin has dished out glimpses of his talents with bat and ball in domestic competitions but can those sparks of promise in lower-quality contests be used to solidify faith in the 27-year-old heading into the T20 World Cup in June?
The scepticism and queries over the team’s preparation were not at all surprising, considering how poorly the Tigers have fared in the last two T20 World Cups -- only winning over low-ranked Netherlands and Zimbabwe in 2022 while suffering a humiliating loss to Scotland the year before in the previous edition.
Shakib is currently sitting on 47 wickets in 36 matches in T20 World Cups and is the only active cricketer among the top five wicket-taker’s list in the competition.
The series will begin with the first Test in Antigua, starting on November 22 and followed by the second Test in Jamaica, commencing on November 30.
Zimbabwe need 166 runs to win.
Bangladesh need 139 runs to win.
While the Bangladesh team spent the gap day between the first and second Twenty20 Internationals against Zimbabwe at the team hotel, fast bowling coach Andre Adams and batting coach David Hemp spent a busy day yesterday, gearing up Soumya Sarkar for his return to action post-injury.
Batting depth would be of importance heading to the World Cup and Tigers were furnishing options to that end.
Bangladesh’s newly-appointed spin-bowling coach Mushtaq Ahmed arrived at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium along with the rest of the coaching panel, including head coach Chandika Hathurusingha, who joined the Tigers camp following the Eid holidays.
For Jaker, this year was a special Eid. The hardworking middle-order batter talked about his time away from cricket during past Eids and his inspirations in an exclusive interview with The Daily Star’s Abdullah Al Mehdi.
