Bangladesh begins their journey in the new ICC Test Championship cycle with many questions. After slow progress in past editions, the team faces challenges with injuries and form. Can they improve this time or stay stuck in the same place?
Bangladesh Starts Their Journey in the Fourth Test Championship Cycle
Just three days ago, South Africa lifted their first-ever ICC Test Championship trophy by beating Australia at Lord’s. Now, the fourth cycle of the ICC World Test Championship is about to begin. On June 17, Bangladesh will face Sri Lanka in the opening Test in Galle. As the new cycle begins, fans are asking: Can Bangladesh do better this time?
Past Performances: Slow Progress Over the Years
From Zero Wins to Three – A Gradual Climb
Bangladesh’s performance in the Test Championship so far hasn’t been great. In the first cycle, they didn’t win any matches. In the second, they won just one. But in the last (third) cycle, they won three matches — a small but noticeable improvement. This shows progress, but the big question remains: Can Bangladesh keep moving forward?
In the third edition, Bangladesh finished 7th out of 9 teams. Players like Nazmul Hossain Shanto, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, and Taijul Islam were part of that campaign. These same names will now try to take Bangladesh a step higher.
Missing Big Names, Searching for New Heroes
One of the biggest issues facing Bangladesh right now is a lack of strong, experienced players. Tamim Iqbal, once a world-class opener, has left a big gap at the top. Youngsters like Zakir Hasan, Sadman Islam, and Mahmudul Hasan Joy have not yet proven themselves as consistent performers.
Mominul Haque is now 33 years old, and his form has dipped. Mushfiqur Rahim still works hard, coming early to practice and staying late. But his batting isn’t as strong as it used to be, even though he once scored a double century in Sri Lanka.
Bangladesh is still depending on veterans like Mominul and Mushfiqur because no new stars have emerged to take their place. This puts pressure on the whole team.
Injuries and Uncertainty in the Squad
Captain Nazmul Hossain Shanto and batter Liton Das haven’t lived up to expectations either. Their scores often stay between 20 and 40, which doesn’t help build strong partnerships or big totals.
One major absence is Shakib Al Hasan. His all-round skills were key to balancing the team. Without him, both the batting and bowling sides feel weaker. The pace bowling department is also struggling. Taskin Ahmed’s injury and Ebadat Hossain’s long recovery have left the team relying on young, less-experienced bowlers like Hasan Mahmud, Khaled Ahmed, and Nahid Rana. They try hard but still lack the maturity needed for big Tests.
In the spin department, Mehedi Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam are the main weapons. But even Miraz is in doubt due to a fever before the first Test in Galle. The backup spinners are not at the same level.
Hope Remains Despite the Hurdles
Overall, Bangladesh’s team strength is lower than in past years. This makes their journey in the new Test Championship more challenging. The two-match series against Sri Lanka will be a tough test to see where they stand now.
Still, fans are hopeful. A few good performances, a little bit of luck, and some fresh energy could help Bangladesh make progress in this cycle. The road is hard, but the Tigers are known for their fighting spirit. Let’s see how far they can go this time.