Warning signs in Bangladesh’s favourite ODI format

Bangladesh reached the final of the 2018 Asia Cup in the United Arab Emirates. By defeating Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Afghanistan, the team showed its potential that day. Yet, Bangladesh’s recent One Day International performances in the United Arab Emirates have brought nothing but disappointment.

A year ago, Bangladesh suffered a 3-0 whitewash against Afghanistan in a three-match ODI series. This time, they have endured heavy defeats against Zimbabwe and Afghanistan in the tri-nation series. After losing to Zimbabwe by 99 runs in their opening match, Bangladesh suffered a nine-wicket defeat to Afghanistan on Wednesday.

Chasing Zimbabwe’s total of 271 for eight, Bangladesh were bowled out for 172. Their performance against Afghanistan was even worse, as they managed just 160 runs. Bangladesh failed to bat out the full 50 overs in either match. Zimbabwe’s Brad Evans took four wickets for 45 runs, dismissing Bangladesh with 98 balls remaining. Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan claimed four for 33 as Bangladesh were bowled out with 52 balls still left.

Following the consecutive failures, former Bangladesh opener Imrul Kayes expressed his frustration on Facebook.

“Watching the team’s performance, I felt as though we had returned to where Bangladesh cricket stood in 2006-2008. If we are still standing in the same place after all these years, where exactly is our path to improvement?” he wrote.

Imrul’s question is not without merit. There was a time when simply surviving the full 50 overs against major teams was a challenge for Bangladesh. Now, the team is struggling to meet that challenge even against sides like Zimbabwe. Bangladesh were ranked ninth in ODIs in 2008 before climbing two places to seventh, where they remained for a considerable period. They have now slipped back to ninth.

Bangladesh’s position among the top eight teams once helped them qualify directly for the 2019 and 2023 World Cups. They have also secured direct qualification for the 2027 edition. However, their recent ODI performances ahead of the tournament have raised fresh questions about the team’s preparation and ability.

The UAE tri-nation series was an important preparation opportunity for all three teams ahead of the 2027 World Cup, which will be held in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. Yet Bangladesh have gained virtually nothing from the campaign. Former captain and chief selector Habibul Bashar Sumon is also concerned about the team’s alarming batting struggles.

“We won four consecutive ODI series. After beating the West Indies, Pakistan, New Zealand and Australia, why are we performing like this? I cannot understand it,” Habibul said.

All four series victories came on home soil. Does Bangladesh lose its way when playing overseas? Habibul, however, does not see it quite that way.

“Winning those four series was a major challenge for our team. Had we failed to win them, we would not have qualified directly for the World Cup. Besides, although we played those series at home, the pitches were prepared to resemble away conditions,” he explained.

So, where does the problem lie? According to Habibul, batting is the biggest concern, with stability at the top of the order particularly important. However, the problem extends beyond the opening partnership. He believes batters begin to panic once wickets start falling and, unable to cope with the pressure, lose wickets in quick succession.

The statistics reflect that pattern. Against Zimbabwe in the tri-nation series, Bangladesh lost their last six wickets for just 39 runs. Against Afghanistan, their final seven wickets fell for 63 runs.

The failure of the lower-order batters is another concern for the chief selector. In the past, players such as Mohammad Rafique, Abdur Razzak and Mashrafe Bin Mortaza could contribute valuable runs down the order. Now, neither the fast bowlers nor the spinners are making meaningful contributions with the bat.

“Just look at how quickly the wickets are falling towards the end. Saifuddin and Tanzim Hasan Sakib can also bat down the order. But we did not have either of them available because of injuries,” Habibul said.

Less than a year remains before the World Cup, and the ICC has already announced the schedule. Bangladesh’s opponents in the second round will be England, South Africa, Sri Lanka and a team advancing through the qualifiers. Failure to perform well in this stage could make the path to the Super Seven considerably more difficult.

Bangladesh have painful memories of the 2003 World Cup in South Africa, where they endured a disastrous campaign. Habibul, who was part of that squad, does not want to become overly concerned about the 2027 tournament just yet.

His reasoning is simple: “We lost a series to the United Arab Emirates on their home soil in 2024. But we bounced back after that.”

Bangladesh’s 2-1 ODI series victory over South Africa on their own turf in 2022 could also serve as inspiration. The question, however, is how quickly the team can overcome the fragile batting form evident from the Zimbabwe tour through to the UAE tri-nation series.

Parvez Hossain Emon provided a glimpse of his potential with a fighting 70 on his return to the ODI side against Afghanistan. Saif Hassan has scored 67 runs in two matches at an average of 33.50, while opener Tanzid Hasan Tamim has an average of 23.

The performances of the remaining batters have been even more disappointing. Towhid Hridoy, Bangladesh’s most successful batter during the Zimbabwe tour, scored 13 and zero in his last two innings. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto has managed an average of just 9.50.

It is not merely the lack of runs that is causing concern. The manner in which the batters are getting out is equally worrying. Some are playing poor shots, while others are failing to handle pressure. The same weaknesses are evident among both experienced players and younger members of the squad.

ODI cricket was once Bangladesh’s most dependable format. Now, it is in this very format that the team looks so vulnerable.

There is still time to turn things around before the World Cup. But Bangladesh must identify the underlying problems and address them quickly. Otherwise, their favourite format could become the source of even greater trouble.