Bangladesh were soundly beaten by Pakistan in the 1st Test and the odds suggest another victory for the tourists over the coming days
Bangladesh were soundly thrashed by Pakistan in the first Test and will need to up their game considerably to have any chance of squaring the series when the second match gets under way on Saturday. They are a young side and still learning, but will have to learn fast (Bangladesh 16/1, Pakistan 1/5, draw 9/2
Betfred).
Bangladesh have always favoured the shorter versions of the game and when they were elevated to Test status more than decade ago, it always seemed likely that they would struggle to compete with the bigger teams. The worrying thing for the Asians is that it could be argued that they have made little or no progress in the five-day game over the past 10 or 11 years and may have actually taken a step or two backwards.
The introduction of Twenty20 cricket means there is now a version of the sport in which they can more or less compete with the top teams but they still remain a poor outfit over five days. They had a real chance to notch up a Test victory back in August but lost to a Zimbabwe side still trying to find its feet back in Test cricket, while rain in Chittagong at least helped them earn a draw with the West Indies back in October.
The problem for the Bangladesh side is a lack of discipline in the batting ranks and too many batsmen are out to one-day shots, and that is something that coach Stuart Law must address.
After making just 135 in their first knock against Pakistan in Chittagong, it was always going to be difficult to get back into the game and the tourists’ 594-5 declared just rubbed salt into the wounds.
The Tigers need their big stars to perform and their best batsmen, Tamim Iqbal, is not in the best of nick at present (Tamim 7/2 Top Bangladesh Batsman). The talented left-hander, who enjoyed a spell with Nottinghamshire last summer, has not scored a five-day century since his 108 against England at Manchester in June 2010 and is committing the cardinal sin of failing to push on and make a big score once he has got in. The 22-year-old will have to fire in Dhaka if the minnows are to at least secure a draw and save some face after their woeful display last week.
Mohammed Nazimuddin made a well-paced 78 last time out on his debut and looks one for the future but there are too many single-figure scores being made among the top five and they cannot keep relying on former skipper Shakib-al-Hasan to bail them out down the order.
Bangladesh have always relied on their spinners for wickets and when they do not fire it spells trouble as the seam attack is friendly, to say the least.
Pakistan’s batsmen filled their boots in the first match with Younis Khan making an unbeaten double century, while Mohammad Hafeez and Asad Shafiq helped themselves to hundreds (Younis 3/1 Top Pakistan Batsman). On a flat pitch, and with no real threat from spin, it was easy pickings for the talented trio and there seems no reason to suggest that they will not score heavily when battle is recommenced on Saturday.
Pakistan are definitely a side on the up after their recent turmoil both on and off the pitch, but it is difficult to gauge just how much progress they have actually made against such a weak Bangladesh side. The seam attack looks good with the ever-dependable Umar Gul now the undisputed leader, while Saeed Ajmal is at least the equal of Graeme Swann in the pecking order of off-spinners around the world.
Pakistan should take the second Test with ease but then the real challenge will begin when England arrive in the United Arab Emirates for a three-Test series in the New Year. Victory over the number one-ranked team will confirm that Pakistan are on the way back but unfortunately for Bangladesh, it appears that they are going in the opposite direction.
