Bangladesh chief selector Habibul Bashar has firmly dismissed growing criticism following the national team’s disappointing eight-wicket defeat against the West Indies in the first Test at Mirpur. Refusing to let panic dictate the narrative, Bashar stressed that a single setback should not overshadow the squad’s broader progress as they prepare for a mandatory win in the second Test starting this Thursday in Sylhet.
The loss at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium left fans and pundits questioning the side’s tactical discipline, particularly after a promising start. Bangladesh logged 272 runs in their first innings to secure a slim 27-run lead, powered by a fine century from opener Shadman Islam, who scored 105. However, the host nation imploded in their second turn at the crease, collapsing for just 142 runs. Lower-order all-rounder Nayeem Hasan offered the only substantial resistance with a fighting 52.
The Caribbean side seized total control through impressive bowling spells from off-spinner Roston Chase, who took five wickets, and slow left-arm orthodox bowler Jomel Warrican, who claimed four. Chasing a modest target of 170, the West Indies comfortably reached the mark in 35.1 overs while losing only two wickets. The result caused Bangladesh to slip to fifth position in the ICC World Test Championship standings, tightening the stakes for the upcoming fixture.
Despite the setback, Bashar insists the team remains on a strong trajectory. “We definitely want to win the second Test and level the series,” he declared. “One of our biggest problems is that we tend to highlight the negatives far too much while glossing over the positive achievements. The team has actually been playing good cricket. Losing one Test match does not suddenly render us a terrible side.”
Addressing critics who have raised doubts about Bangladesh’s consistency in the longest format, the chief selector pointed to recent historical wins as evidence of the team’s true capability. “It is not as if we play the West Indies and expect an easy victory; they are a solid team,” Bashar said. “However, we are not a weak side either. In our last home series, we beat a quality side like Pakistan 2-0. We have won away in the Caribbean before and defeated Australia as well. A single poor performance does not mean we are incapable of winning.”
A significant factor behind Bangladesh’s batting struggles in Mirpur was a depleted middle order. Senior campaigner Mushfiqur Rahim missed the series opener due to injury, leaving a major void in the lineup. Additional fitness concerns plagued top-order stalwarts, including Mominul Haque, who suffered a head blow and entered concussion protocols, as well as minor injuries to Litton Das and Towhid Hridoy. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto candidly admitted after the match that the batting unit lacked the application required to build long innings on a challenging pitch.
The medical update heading into the Sylhet Test provides much-needed optimism for the hosts. Mushfiqur Rahim has fully recovered and is expected to anchor the batting lineup once more. Mominul Haque has completed all necessary concussion testing protocols and received full medical clearance. Meanwhile, the minor ailments troubling both Litton Das and Towhid Hridoy have cleared up, removing major fitness anxieties ahead of selection.
In response to squad needs, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has called up uncapped batter Amit Hasan into the 16-man squad as coverage for Mominul. Amit earned his call-up after a prolific run in the ongoing National Cricket League (NCL), which featured a double century of 201 runs. Because he is currently featuring in domestic fixtures, the BCB has not set a rigid arrival deadline, reserving the option to bring him into the camp mid-match if required.
However, team management suggests Amit is unlikely to feature in the final playing XI. The final spot in the middle order will probably be decided between Towhid Hridoy, who filled in for Mushfiqur in the first match, and Jaker Ali Anik, who stepped in for Mominul.
With tactical lessons learnt from the pitch conditions in Mirpur and key personnel returning to fitness, Bangladesh head to Sylhet with absolute clarity. The upcoming Test match presents more than just a chance to level the series—it serves as a crucial platform to re-establish their credentials in the World Test Championship cycle.
