Sunday’s press conference held by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) was the perfect example of a board deflecting the issues instead of acknowledging them.

“If we can’t stick to our planning even against lower-ranked sides, how can we expect growth in Test cricket? I’m not against offering spin-friendly conditions, but why against Zimbabwe? Why did we lose confidence after one loss?”

Bangladesh turned things around in the Test series against Zimbabwe, winning the second and final Test by a resounding margin of an innings and 106 runs in Chattogram yesterday.

Bangladesh all-rounder Mehedi Hasan Miraz had a point to prove in the second Test against Zimbabwe, and he did just that on Day 3 of the Chattogram Test yesterday.

Only by losing the first Test in Sylhet could Bangladesh have fans, and everyone else, turn their focus towards themselves for a series that nearly experienced a media blackout, forcing the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to get state-run BTV as the broadcast partner.

Bangladesh’s dismal start on Day 1 of their first Test against Zimbabwe in Sylhet was perhaps best encapsulated by a fan sitting on the green banks of the picturesque Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

Who are the seniors in Bangladesh cricket?

Speaking on his YouTube channel, de Villiers said, “I honestly don't think Bangladesh (are) going to make the knockouts. Bangladeshi fans might not like me saying this, but I have to be honest."

“Whenever we play against India, we have big expectations. Having come close on many occasions, we couldn’t finish the job. I hope that we’ll be able to finish this time. And it’s possible to beat Pakistan,” Talha told reporters in Mirpur on Saturday.

Najmul Hossain Shanto-led Bangladesh team will play a warm-up match against the Mohammad Haris-led Pakistan Shaheens at the ICC Cricket Academy ground in Dubai on February 17.

Mohammad Haris will lead the Pakistan Shaheens against Bangladesh in Dubai on February 17.

Left-arm spinner Taijul took 5 for 50 in the fourth innings to help bowl out West Indies for 185. Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud and Rana took the other five wickets.

In Test cricket, Bangladesh have always blazed their own trail, usually down the wrong path, and followed processes that would beget blank stares and stunned looks in most other teams.

In the format, the Tigers last faced India during the T20 World Cup in June, losing by 50 runs, and have not played a match since the tournament. The two sides have faced off in 14 contests, with India winning 13 times.

Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain, adviser to the ministry of youth and sports, hailed the players for bringing success at a difficult time

Bangladesh’s performances in the Super Eights of the T20 World Cup showed that team is lacking in many crucial aspects. But lack of courage was again evident, especially in how Bangladesh threw in the towel thinking they would not be able to chase down Afghanistan’s total in 12.1 overs in the th

Bangladesh were the inferior side on display throughout the match and unsurprisingly suffered a 50-run drubbing.

South Africa virtually clinched a place in the Super Eight stage as spinner Keshav Maharaj defended 11 runs off the final over to help secure a nail-biting four-run victory over Bangladesh in a low-scoring Group D clash on Monday.

For Bangladesh head coach Chandika Hathurusingha, the lack of runs at the venue meant that both Bangladesh and South Africa have equal chances, going into the game on Monday.

The match between Bangladesh and South Africa will start from 8.30pm Bangladesh Time on Monday. PHOTO: BCB