Bangladesh will have to adopt a cautious approach ahead of their men’s Asia Cup and the ICC Men’s World Cup, taking into account their performances in the recently concluded ODI and T20 series against Afghanistan.
Bangladesh played all three formats series against Afghanistan when they won one off Test match with a record margin, suffered defeat in the ODI series and struggled to win the two-match T20 series.
Tigers lost the ODI series when the men’s Asia Cup and ICC Men’s ODI World Cup are knocking at the door. So, the defeat in the ODI series ahead two biggest tournament certainly a wakeup call for the Tigers.
To win against any of the opponents deserve some credits but the evaluation obviously are not equivalent. As the honour of winning against Australia, India, South Africa, England, and even against Sri Lanka and Pakistan are certainly not equal to winning matches against Afghanistan, Ireland, Zimbabwe and against the half strength West Indies or Scotland.
Bangladesh despite winning the T20 series against England, Ireland and Afghanistan, lost the three-match ODI series against England by 2-1 (early of this year (in March) and Afghanistan.
Status and the glory of Bangladesh cricket and Afghanistan is not same, at any consideration, Tigers’ deserve better marks. So, a win against Afghanistan is obviously a credit but the way of the win should have to take into account.
However, losing to Afghanistan is a humiliation and as well as alarming for the Tigers ahead of the ICC ODI World Cup.
Afghanistan are now a very emerging power but not at all a powerhouse, they still minnows comparing with Australia, England, New Zealand and some other powerhouses.
Afghanistan played three matches against Australia and lost all, two matches against England lost both the matches, against Sri Lanka played six, won two, lost three, against South Africa lost one off one, against New Zealand played two and lost two matches, against India played four matches lost three and one was tied, six matches played against West Indies lost four two and won two. Afghanistan could fought only against Bangladesh and Zimbabwe. Afghans played 28 matches against Zimbabwe and won 18 lost 10 matches when they won six and lost eight out of 14 matches against Bangladesh.
So, in all respects, apart from Zimbabwe, Afghans always through huge challenges to Bangladesh, sometimes they won and sometimes the Tigers.
But, whatever the results during tour matches in different times but ahead of the Asia Cup and the ICC ODI World Cup, losing matches are not good sign.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh begin their both the Asia Cup and the ICC World campaign with taking Afghanistan.
Issues of the ODI captain Tamim Iqbal is also a big factor when his sudden but shocking announcement of retirement from all international cricket and making return pressured a huge negative impact in the team, that resulted of suffering defeat in the ODI series.
If the captain of the team would not feel free, if it will uncertain of his participation in the upcoming tournaments, team may suffer no doubt.
So turning them into something like a cricketing passion with standing and taking any strain for no perceptible reason. The team outside their game don’t need too much extra motivation to turn up.
Otherwise, the scraps that fall from the big table will continue further, the fighting becomes ever more frenzied, the consequences of the slightest misstep will be more dire.
