Despite a fighting 97 from Mehidy Hasan Miraz in the second innings, Bangladesh鈥檚 struggles with the bat continued, leading to a seven-wicket defeat against South Africa in the first Test of the series.
Bangladesh looked to Mehidy as a potential successor to all-rounder Shakib al Hasan, who was denied the chance to play his last Test at home for security reasons.
During a recent press conference, captain Najmul Hossain Shanto was asked about who could fill the shoes of Shakib鈥檚 role in the Tests.
He expressed confidence in Mehidy鈥檚 ability to deliver in both batting and bowling. And he undoubtedly fulfilled his expectations.
His knock of 97 off 191 balls was not just about runs but a display of courage in the face of adversity after South Africa took a massive lead of 202 runs by scoring 308 in their first innings.
Mehidy showed that the team management could rely on him as the crisis man for the side.
Coming into bat when Bangladesh were reeling at 112-6, Mehidy lifted the team to post 307 and prevented an innings defeat after a disastrous first-innings score of 106.
Mehidy also became the first Bangladeshi player to score above 500 runs and take 30 wickets in the ongoing ICC World Test Championship cycle.
He has now joined the prestigious club alongside Ben Stokes and Ravindra Jadeja. In nine Tests and 16 innings, he has scored 554 runs and taken 34 wickets.
But how about the others? While Mehidy provided some optimism in the second innings, the support from the other end was sadly inadequate.聽
If the top-order batters fail to score, Mehidy鈥檚 efforts will be eventually, ineffective.
The top four batters managed only 105 runs across both innings, marking their poorest performance of the year.
The top-order collapse in the first innings, with key players like Mominul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto, and opener Shadman Islam falling cheaply, left Bangladesh in a precarious situation.聽
Mahmudul Hasan Joy was the only member from the top four to contribute (30 and 40). While the others failed in both innings.
Bangladesh played with an extra-batter in the Mirpur Test to make up the place for Shakib.
Jaker Ali, the number eight batter for Bangladesh, played a key role in the second innings to hit his maiden fifty on his Test debut.
However, Bangladesh鈥檚 dismal opening day collapse continued to trouble them throughout the match.
The inconsistent Bangladesh also failed to read their home wicket and opted to play only one pacer when the pitch was 鈥榮urprisingly鈥� offering something to the pacers.聽
Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam, however, stood out for the Tigers, taking nine wickets in the match.
Bangladesh will face South Africa in the second Test in Chattogram, starting on October 29.聽
The team has already reached the venue and will begin practice today.
