What is Bangladesh missing in their quest to become an elite cricketing nation?

     With all that potential, why CAN'T Bangladesh succeed  ? 

After just over a decade under Test status, Bangladesh hasn't quite been able to escape the minnow tag. However, there have been great strides made in Bangladeshi cricket, and the team has made itself known as a team which, on its day, could give the best sides in the world a run for their money. The world was shocked when Habibul Bashar's Bangladesh eliminated their much-fancied, more successful neighbours, India, from the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup in the Caribbean, while themselves advancing to the Super Eights and humbling another top-ranked side in South Africa. Since then, Bangladesh has blown hot-and-cold.

Shakib al Hasan

We have also seen the rise of Shakib al Hasan as the world's top allrounder in all forms of cricket. There has been many a victory which Shakib has single-handedly pulled off for his country. There has also been a stark improvement in batting, with the emergence of Tamim Iqbal, one of the most talented young batsmen in world cricket, as well as other dogged, fighting batsmen in Nasir Hossain, Naeem Islam and Mahmudullah, all of whom are also handy spin bowlers as well.

Mushfiqur Rahim

The captaincy has also made significant improvements, to the point now where the Tigers, entering 2013, possess a young, wicket-keeper batsman with the determined heart of a fighter: Mushfiqur Rahim. Under his leadership, we have seen Bangladesh's potential as an elite side, finishing as runners-up at home in the 2012 Asia Cup (which they were a whisker away from winning), eliminating 2011 World Cup finalists India and Sri Lanka in the process, and most recently, pulling off an impressive and unexpected 3-2 series win over a full-strength West Indian lineup.


Bangladesh's spin bowling has been revolutionized, with many talented, wily spinners emerging from the country's set-up. Shakib and Razzak, experienced campaigners, have spearheaded the spin attack with aplomb, and with the likes of Sohag Gazi, Elias Sunny, Enamul Haque Jr., Arafat Sunny and Saqlain Sajib in the mix, their spin resources are nothing short of bounteous.


However, there's a key and obvious element missing here: that of FAST BOWLING. Even with a spin-oriented bowling attack, teams need to have quality fast bowlers to be truly successful. When playing in the likes of England, Australia, South Africa or New Zealand, a team needs quicks who are strike bowlers and can bowl a side out. Bangladesh has always struggled to produce any world-class fast bowlers. In fact, their fast bowling reserves leave a lot to be desired, and the quicks on the current Bangladesh roster don't appear to strike fear into the minds of any top-class international batsmen. Let us analyze the current crop of fast bowlers that Bangladesh has under its disposal:

Mashrafe Mortaza

1. Mashrafe Mortaza- Mortaza, to his credit, has been an admirable servant to Bangladeshi cricket, and is, without doubt, the closest thing the Tigers have to a top-quality pace bowler. To date, he has taken 162 ODI wickets in 128 matches, and is currently on 78 Test wickets. Just touching the 130kph mark, his record is not spectacular, and while he certainly wouldn't make the XI of an Pakistan or a South Africa, he has the attributes of accuracy, variations in pace, and is a capable batsman down the order. However, he cannot (and should not have to) bear the responsibilities of fast bowling alone.

Shafiul Islam

2. Shafiul Islam- There is some potential in Shafiul, as he has shown glimpses of what he can do. England is all too familiar, as it was his probing spell of bowling which ensured Bangladesh's first ever win in the UK. Later on, in the 2011 World Cup, he was a thorn in England's side again, starring with the ball and bat to ensure a shocking 2-wicket victory for the Tigers. He's also had some creditable performances against the West Indies. There is pace and movement in his bowling, but he blows too hot and cold. Like his fast-bowling cohorts, he lacks control and concedes too many runs. With an unimpressive first-class career of 58 wickets in 24 matches, Shafiul's bowling has not panned out as it could or probably should have.

Shahadat Hossain

3. Shahadat Hossain- A true figher, Shahadat can boast being the only Bangladeshi to be on the honours board at Lord's with a five-for (5/98), as well as to take a hat-trick (albeit against a weak Zimbabwe side). Once toted as the fastest bowler in the country, he has a satisfactory record of 167 wickets in 66 first-class games. However, he has lost much of his pace, and struggles for control. He's the kind of bowler who cannot pitch three consecutive balls in the same area. As a result, he is quite expensive,and for this, he has not been able to cement a permanent spot in the side. Nevertheless, for Bangladesh to emerge as a strong bowling unit, Shahadat, with his experience, needs to step up and develop more control.

Rubel Hossain

4. Rubel Hossain- It is without doubt that Rubel is the fastest bowler in the country today. He can generate pace in the mid-to-high 80s, but has the same problems plaguing Bangladeshi quicks: Rubel lacks control. He has had a fairly successful ODI career, approaching 50 wickets. However, a large chunk of these wickets has come against Zimbabwe, and with a first class career of 48 wickets in 28 first class games at over 60, he is still clearly an unfinished product. He bowls too many loose deliveries which have not gone unpunished. For me, Rubel, even with his pace, is not Bangladesh's answer to their pace concerns.

Abul Hasan

5. Abul Hasan- While being able to boast a stunning debut century batting at number 10 against the West Indies, Abul Hasan has shown very little, and almost nothing, in the way of skillful fast bowling. He does not appear to be a wicket-taker, and bowls many loose deliveries. His figures don't make impressive reading either. With only 8 wickets in 7 first class games at a strike rate over 100, and having never taken more than 3 wickets in any form of professional cricket, his only salvation is that he is only 20 years of age and is still maturing and learning the game. For his and Bangladesh's sakes, there needs to be the addition of more to his bowling, which at international level, has appeared to be nothing short of toothless.

Nazmul Hossain

6. Nazmul Hossain- Still only 25, it seems like an eternity since Nazmul made his debut as a teenager in 2004. He is not the most fortunate bowler in Bangladesh cricket, and a mediocre record of 80 wickets in 37 first class games is no testament to the fact that Nazmul has had numerous injury problems in his career so far. There is definite talent though, as he can get exaggerated swing at times. However, he lacks much in the form of pace and bounce, and is still the kind of bowler who world-class batsmen will look to get on top of.  

Syed Rasel

7. Syed Rasel- Seven years since making his debut for the
Tigers, Rasel has drifted in and out of the side. Looking at his domestic
record, his numbers make for rather impressive reading (when compared to
his fast bowling colleagues). 182 first class wickets in just over 60 matches seems remarkable when compared to bowlers who average JUST over a wicket a game. While he lacks much in the form of pace, he compensates with a good, accurate line, and some movement away from the right hander. Remembered for his 7 wicket blitz of Kent in a Bangladesh A tour, Syed Rasel could provide some experience to an attack which needs it. However, he hasn't featured in an international since 2010, and for me, his reintegration is vital.

Mahbubul Alam 

8. Mahbubul Alam- With 133 wickets in 47 first class games,
Mahbubul has made a few sporadic appearances against
a weak Zimbabwe team. Since then, he has faded from the Tigers' radar.
A skiddy bowler who can move the ball around a bit with bounce, he
personifies the Bangladeshi quick: one which cannot bowl a good ball
consistently, one with too many loose deliveries, and therefore one with
a mediocre record and expensive figures.

Dolar Mahmud

9. Dolar Mahmud- With around 150 first class wickets at an average of 25,
Dolar Mahmud can boast a decent bowling record. He can obtain swing at
a decent pace. Due to Bangladesh's reliance on their spinners, Dolar
Mahmud has not been able to vie for a spot in the team. However, he does look as if he can offer another dimension to Bangladesh's bowling. Still in his early-20s, Dolar can also hit a cricket ball a long way, and he looks like a suitable successor for Mortaza when he eventually retires. However, he still lacks significant experience, and if offered the chance to represent the Tigers, will still been seen as a bowler to be dispatched by top international batsmen.  

Abu Jayed

10. Abu Jayed-Still very much a youngster, Abu Jayed has shown some
talent, particularly in the 2012 U-19 World Cup in Australia. Having taken
just over 50 wickets at first class level, he is still very much an inexperienced package. He can swing the ball both ways, and has decent control. However, it is vital that he is not mis-managed, and can be nurtured to create something even close to a fast-bowler who can win matches for his country.

Robiul Islam

11. Robiul Islam- He is a rare find: a Bangladeshi fast bowler with a
good domestic record. With 170 first-class wickets, he has been unable
to match this form in the few Tests he has played. With 4 wickets in 3 Tests at an average of almost 90, he hasn't represented his country since. Robiul grazes the 80mph mark, and in the right conditions, can obtain discernable seam and swing movement. However, this needs to be matched with bowling the right line and length, which Robiul struggles to do with consistency.    






There is a discernable pattern here: inconsistency and sporadic bowling. Bowlers who are not blessed with significant pace must compensate with control, which Bangladeshi quicks seem to lack. As a result, their many poor deliveries have been punished by international batsmen. This is a problem plaguing Bangladesh's other subcontinent compatriots (bar Pakistan, of course).


However, what makes this even more concerning is that the bulk of Bangladesh's pacemen have failed to deliver even at the domestic stage. In fact, most of these quicks possess records which all-rounders and part-timers from top international teams in much more demanding domestic circuits can match, if not surpass. If a batsmen was to chose between facing four of the above 11 Bangladeshis, or to face an attack with Shane Watson, Jacques Kallis, Dwayne Bravo and Abdul Razzaq, there is no doubt that they would choose the former.  

It is duly noted that Bangladeshi conditions greatly favour spin, which explains the emergence of so many quality spinners from the country. It is not a fast-bowler's paradise by any stretch of the imagination. Therefore, the desire to become a fast bowler is not quite there. For quality fast-bowlers to develop, they need to play in conditions more conducive to their specialty. For me, the BCB needs to organize tours for A teams to the likes of Australia, South Africa and England, pacer-friendly conditions where these quicks can also obtain first-hand experience against top-quality teams from early. I also feel that more fast-bowling camps should also be set up. Bangladesh should entice former fast-bowling greats to establish these camps to scout future pace prospects and to impart their knowledge and expertise into these prospects. 

One thing is for certain: if Bangladesh is to make the rise from their established number 9 ranking in all forms of the game, they need to address the issue of their fast-bowling, which has failed to make any significant impact.