Chattogram: In a bid to avoid an ignominious whitewash at the hand of Zimbabwe, Bangladesh turned their main focus on batting, an area in which they remained vulnerable, said middle order batter Jaker Ali Anik. The batting meltdown was key in their three-wicket loss in the first Test against Zimbabwe. The defeat, which paved the way to be swept against a side termed as minnows, is considered as the lowest ebb in Bangladesh’s cricket.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Jaker told the reporters at Bir Shrestha Matiur Rahman Stadium, “We are looking at the process to get out of this bitter situation. Since the first Test did not go as we planned, we believe we need to fix the things. We have discussed about it.” He emphasized that the focus on batting will be the main agenda as the team has been struggling for quite some time.
Getting all out below 200 in the first innings has become quite normal for Bangladesh, at least on home ground, where they haven’t won any Test match since 2023. In the first innings of the Sylhet Test, the Tigers were bowled out for just 191 and conceded an 82-run lead. In the second innings, they continued their wayward batting to be all out for 255, setting Zimbabwe a meager 174-run target for victory. Despite a hiccup, Zimbabwe reached the target to seal their first victory in Test format since 2021 and first on Bangladesh soil since 2018.
After arriving in Chattogram on Friday, the Bangladesh team started training there. Jaker repeatedly used the word ‘process’ that Bangladeshi cricketers always use in various contexts. “We can lose to anyone. But I think the process should be right for everyone,” he stated. Jaker, who made 58 in the second innings, did not hide the poor state of batting, saying, “We have suffered because of our batting,” and emphasized the need to improve shot selection.
The wicket at Chattogram is known as one of the best batting wickets in the country. Attention will be on veteran batter Mushfiqur Rahim, who has gone without any fifty in the last 12 innings. Jaker backed Mushfiqur to get back amongst runs, noting that the experienced batter, whose last fifty-plus innings was an epic 191 in Rawalpindi Test against Pakistan, has been training hard to address his issues. “Look, he’s not the only player in the side. He doesn’t have to score all the runs all the time,” Jaker said, stressing the need for collective contribution.
Jaker further commented on the need to show fight even if they are unable to make a healthy score. He highlighted the example of lower-order batter Hasan Mahmud, who contributed 12 off 58 balls in a crucial late partnership on Day 4 of the Sylhet Test. “Not everyone will score every day, but we must show intent. If we do that, I believe the big runs will come,” Jaker added.