The question about the quality of domestic cricket has been around for a long time. National Cricket League is the important domestic cricket tournament of Bangladesh. There is not much opportunity to use the experience of this four-day tournament in the national team. Because the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has not been able to establish any structure for this domestic cricket even after 24 years of receiving Tests. There is nothing to learn from either the National League or the BCL, in which the cricketers have to face tough tests after playing Tests for a long time. In this situation, how can the improvement of the cricketers is possible, the question arises. At the end of the fourth day of the Chittagong Test, Muminul brought forward the structure of domestic cricket as one of the reasons for the failure.
Bangladesh failed in both innings in the first Test in Sylhet. Same result in Chittagong Test. After 178 runs in the first innings against Sri Lanka, the situation is cornered in the second innings as well. At the end of the fourth day, 7 wickets were lost to score 268 runs. Wednesday will enter the fight on the fifth day with 3 wickets in hand. The hosts are 243 runs away from victory. If you want to win in this situation, you have to do the impossible. At the end of the fourth day’s play, Muminul Haque came to the press conference and apologized for the batting failure.
Due to the busy international schedule, the national team cricketers do not get a chance to play many matches in the longer version of domestic cricket. Although played, these two tournaments are the longer version of Bangladesh and are far behind in terms of quality. As a result, the cricketers have to face a difficult situation when they come to play Tests. Not only this, the batsmen also fall into the bat patch while moving from one format to another format as test matches are held for a long time.
In domestic cricket, no tough bowler has to deal with in that sense. As a result, the difficult test has to be given in full by coming to the national team. While the task is easy for regular national team cricketers, it is very difficult for young cricketers to adapt. In the press conference, Muminul told that, ‘What is the quality of our first class and international games? Are they of the same level? I stay in practice, for me there is a lot of difference between a junior player. I have played 61 Test matches including today. After playing test matches I understand how to handle situations. Sometimes I can, sometimes I can’t. But it will be bad to hear, it is very difficult for us to play domestic cricket and international test matches.
This is not only the main reason for the batting failure of the batters. Several cricketers in the Test team, including Muminul, have to play only Test matches. Due to this reason, the batsmen returned to the field after a long time in red ball cricket and lost. Some have reverted from the white ball to the red ball. Due to this, it is becoming very difficult for the Bangladeshi batsmen to fight against a tough opponent or a tough bowler. Muminul said, ‘Not coming down to play Tests after a long time, maybe it is an excuse for you. But at the end of the day it may count. Again if I say after a long time then you can ask questions, you don’t have problem. I have no problem but those who are playing are playing with maximum white ball. I mean it’s real. True if the thing is in negative way. I think these have had an effect.’
Bangladesh did not win in the previous two editions of the Test Championship. Started with a win in the third round. But after losing the last two matches, Bangladesh is now at number seven. Tests against Sri Lanka were part of the championship, however the lack of preparation was evident. Preparation matches are usually played during the switch from one format to another. But the Bangladesh team did not even play a warm-up match after finishing the limited overs series. Asked if there was a lack of preparation, Muminul said, ‘No, I don’t think there was any lack of preparation. Well, everyone is playing as white. Everyone played their way.’
However, this experienced batter does not want to give any excuse for their failure, ‘We are collapsing batting wise. There is no excuse for that. In fact, we batted very badly.’
However, after the failure of the first innings, Bangladesh turned around in the second innings. Was playing well till the over before the tea break. He also scored 132 runs with the loss of 3 wickets. Liton and Shakib made a partnership of 61 runs after Muminul got out with a half century. But like Muminul, Shakib-Litton also got out on wrong shots. At the end of the day, Muminul said, “If I could have scored this run for four wickets, maybe things would have been a little different tomorrow.” Or, if it was 238 for two wickets now, 230, then they would have been under pressure. Because if it was all day tomorrow, if that run was played comfortably in three sessions, the game would have been over.’
One over left for tea break. But Muminul got out on the first ball while playing the sweep. The effect of giving away wickets in the whole innings by batting well has been felt later. About his out, Muminul said, ‘I got out over drinks, definitely my fault. I shouldn’t have played that shot at that time.’
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