Tigers to the slaughter

The more Bangladesh play, the more scepticism they generate about their place among Test cricket's elite. Fast-forwarded into the big league courtesy of the benovolence of Jagmohan Dalmiya (the International Cricket Council chief then) , the "Tigers" have generally been lambs to the slaughters, with 57 defeats in 66 Test matches, 33 of those losses being by an innings and a further nine by eight wickets or more. A 465-run humbling also figures among those stats.

Accepted, they have been playing in this league for less than a decade. True, New Zealand had to wait 26 years, play 44 matches and face 21 defeats before they could win their first Test. Bangladesh managed that feat in 10 games fewer, after 31 defeats, but they beat a depleted Zimbabwe and have only two more wins - against a second- string West Indies after the senior players went on strike - in Test cricket.

For their first win, New Zealand prevailed over a West Indies team that included Everton Weekes and Gary Sobers. Can we honestly back Bangladesh to beat even a reserve Australia team, or one of their state sides? And can they do it anytime in the near or extended future? Even the most ardent of Bangladesh supporters would doubt that. Over the past decade, Bangladesh cricketers have just not been able to inspire any confidence; they have been nondescript.

Even Ireland have shown more progress, reaching the Super Eights at the 2007 World Cup; Kenya reached the semis in 2003. Zimbabwe had a Dave Houghton, Andy Flower, John Traicos and Heath Streak, and they were celebrating a Test win over Pakistan after just 10 matches. Sri Lanka could boast of Duleep Mendis and Roy Dias. Who do Bangladesh have to put in that league? A Mohammed Ashraful? Supremely talented yes, but very presumptuous as well, showing little regard for oppositions and lesser value on his wicket. Ashraful's profligacy is a bit symptomatic of Bangladesh's shortcomings on the big stage.

They might not have many outstanding talents, but the few who are refuse to shoulder much responsibility. They prefer the cameos to playing lead. There is a general lack of self-belief in the side, the tail usually scores more runs than the top-order and the bowling, as Virender Sehwag bluntly said, lacks the ability to bowl good sides out twice. Yet they are capable of producing days like the one they had at Lord's yesterday, when Shahadat Hossain bowled a couple of incisive spells and Tamim Iqbal played a typically entertaining innings.

After being plundered for 362 runs on the opening day by England, the visitors took the last six wickets for 143 runs in 35 overs. Hossain took four of those wickets to finish with five for 98 in the innings and become the first Bangladesh cricketer to get on the honours board at Lord's. Jonathan Trott got on the list too with a career-best 226, which was England's first double-hundred in six years.

Bangladesh, chasing England's 505 all out made a solid start, and were 172 for 2 at the close, trailing by 333 runs Hossain aside, the inefficiency of Bangladesh's attack was best reflected in Graeme Swann's reaction after a reverse-sweep off Shakib Al Hasan. Tongue twisted and out, he turned back to wink and grin at Trott. Around that time, seeing Bangladesh's plight, David Lloyd was moved into suggesting a second-tier of Test cricket from the commentary box, which would group the Tigers with the likes of Zimbabwe, Ireland, Scotland, USA, Canada or even the UAE. The proposition does have its merits. Bangladesh have probably used up their rope. Anyway, Test cricket needs to be among equals. [e-mail]

England 362-5 overnight England, 1st innings Trott c Kayes b Shahdat 226 Morgan c Rahim b Shahadat 44 Prior run out 16 Bresnan c Siddique b Shahadat 25 Swann c Rubel b Al Hasan 22 Anderson b Shahadat 13 Finn not out 3 Extras 8w, 10lb, 13nb 31 Total (all out, 125 overs) 505 Fall of wickets: 6-400; 7-463; 8-478; 9-498; 10-505 Bowling: Shahadat 28-3-98-5; Islam 22-2-107-0; Al Hasan 27-3-109-2; Rubel 23-0-109-1; Mahmudullah 23-3-59-1; Ashraful 2-0-13-0; Bangladesh, 1st innings