Bangladesh's faith in its pace bowlers paid off

Mustafizur Rahman was outstanding with the ball against India in the first ODI at Mirpur

Bangladesh are not well known for putting faith in pace bowlers. For a brief period, Bangladesh’s main weapon have been the left-arm spinners who would be utilized as early as possible to fetch wickets. More often, the new ball bowlers would be a formality and as the match progresses, the existence of the pace bowlers vanished gradually. The wickets are always prepared in favor of the spinners and for which, the value of pace bowlers in cricket has always been ignored.

The obsession about the spinners has always been so much that most of the times, the fans and critics used to forget that Bangladesh also have pace bowlers who can be useful as well if utilized appropriately. It took quite a while for the management to realize that quality pacers exist in this country as well and yes, they can also win matches on flat tracks.

Their team selection in the Test match against India at Fatullah was mind-boggling. Bangladesh only included a single pace bowler and more emphasis was given on the spinners. It was a very defensive approach by the Bangladeshi hierarchy and in cricket, a defensive mindset never fetches a fruitful result. They were found wanting at Fatullah and it seemed that they were playing to avoid a defeat rather than secure a victory. Had rain not interfered, they could have been easily beaten.

The brand of Cricket they play has changed

Bangladesh earned plenty of harsh criticisms after the Fatullah Test as because their approach didn’t match the brand of cricket which they have been playing since the ICC World Cup Down under. At present, they play an attacking brand of cricket and to dish out such a brand, the combination of the team must be attacking as well.

In the first one-day international at Mirpur, the team shunned the defensive mindset and came out all guns blazing to script a win against a formidable Indian unit. The catalyst behind Bangladesh’s memorable win has neither been the batters nor the left-arm spinners. But, it was possible due to some superb exhibition of pace bowling by the young pacers who were too hot to handle.

On the subcontinental tracks, it is never an easy task to challenge the might of the Indian batsmen. History suggests that, quality pace bowling has always tested the Indian batters and even on placid decks they were found wanting. Keeping in mind this fact, the Tigers included four pace bowlers in the side and it proved to be a masterstroke.

There were doubts, whether the Bangladeshi pace bowlers had the fire in their belly to test the Indian batsmen, but as they started to bowl, those doubts ebbed away in the twinkle of an eye.

From the very first ball, Taskin Ahmed and young Mustafizur Rahman conveyed the message that it won’t be an easy task for the Indian batters to chase the total. They bowled with intent and aggression, which was a treat to watch on the placid track of Mirpur.

Taskin delivered the ball with sheer pace and maintained a disciplined line and length while Mustafizur made the ball to cut back in and away, varied his pace and length to fetch five wickets. There was useful support from Mashrafe and Rubel as well who never released the pressure. For a moment, the Bangladeshi fans almost forgot the use of spinners which has been a normal scenario for such a long time.

Things are changing in Bangladesh cricket!

The clinical win at Mirpur has been the result of an attacking mindset and investing faith in pace bowlers. Quality pacers are one of the most important ingredients in creating successful teams. Bangladesh should keep the faith in their pace bowlers more and more.