The trajectory of Bangladesh cricket's white-ball performance has transitioned from a worrying trend to an outright alarming freefall, particularly in One-Day Internationals – a format where the Tigers once reigned supreme. Tuesday's 99-run capitulation in the series-deciding third ODI against hosts Sri Lanka in Kandy marked Bangladesh's third consecutive bilateral ODI series defeat and their sixth such series loss out of seven since July 2023. As statistics continue to plummet and performances falter, Bangladesh finds itself in unfamiliar and deeply uncomfortable territory, being outclassed not merely by top-tier cricketing nations but, more chasteningly, by emerging sides on the global stage.
The numbers paint a stark and unflattering picture. In ODIs, the Tigers have managed a paltry 10 wins from 37 matches since July 2023, equating to a dismal win percentage of just 27%. This abysmal record becomes even more concerning when juxtaposed with teams traditionally considered lower-ranked. In the same period, nations like the USA (14 wins in 21 matches) and Scotland (13 wins in 23 matches) have demonstrably outperformed Bangladesh, despite playing fewer fixtures. Even Oman, not a full ICC member, has matched Bangladesh's meagre tally with 10 victories from a mere 21 outings.
The T20 International arena offers little comfort. Over the last two years, Bangladesh has lost 19 out of 38 matches, a sobering 50% loss rate. Comparatively, several associate nations have fared considerably better: Uganda boasts 35 wins from 43 matches, Bahrain 29 from 48, Kuwait 27 from 44, Japan 26 from 38, and Saudi Arabia 26 from 42. Adding insult to injury, Bangladesh has suffered T20I series defeats to both the USA and the UAE within the past year – results that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago.
A common thread running through this alarming nosedive has been a pervasive failure in batting. Former captain and current Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) director Akram Khan offered a frank and scathing assessment to reporters in Mirpur on Wednesday, pulling no punches.
"For the past two years, I've observed serious issues with our batting. We absolutely must overcome this," Khan asserted. "Otherwise, you won't be able to perform, you'll be under immense pressure, and everything will inevitably turn negative."
Khan's observations from a distance resonate deeply with the on-field struggles. "Watching the game from a distance, I sense the players are under an extraordinary amount of pressure. I can't pinpoint why they're under such pressure. But if you're under too much pressure, you simply cannot play normal cricket. Looking at their batting style, observing some of the mistakes they're making, and critically, their attitude, it genuinely doesn't appear as though they are playing normal cricket."
Akram Khan's words serve as a potent indictment, highlighting a crisis of confidence and perhaps, even fundamental technique. The once-feared "Tigers" now appear a shadow of their former selves in white-ball cricket, and without a profound introspection and radical shift in approach, their alarming slide seems set to continue.
