Bangladesh review: Another year, another poor show

Tests: Played 7, Won 3, Lost 3, Drew 1

ODIs: Played 18, Won 5, Lost 12, No Result 1

T20I: Played 10, Won 2, Lost 7, No Result 1

In what was supposed to be their biggest home season, Bangladesh endured their toughest year in 2014. They have been worse in the past, but 'toughest' considering their periodic cricketing growth in the last few years. The team dished out an abysmal performance for the first nine months and even though the year ended on a bit of a high, it wasn't sufficient to cover another disastrous year for Mushfiqur Rahim and his men.

Their beginning of the year was surrounded by uncertainties. Bangladesh's chances of hosting major tournaments including the ICC World Twenty20 and the Asia Cup were in severe jeopardy due to political unrest. But once it subsided, the tournaments stayed in Bangladesh, both in which the home side experienced a rather forgettable outing.

Their inaugural series was a two-Test series against Sri Lanka, which they lost 1-0, and followed it with a 3-0 loss in the ODIs. In the Asia Cup, Bangladesh suffered losses at the hands of India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan and a 'shock' defeat from Afghanistan, while they remained winless in the World T20. Furthermore, whatever chances they had were marred by controversies - Shakib Al Hasan's behavior, his CPL saga and Tamim Iqbal's negative captaincy against Sri Lanka in the absence of Mushfiqur. All this dented their confidence big time.

It didn't just end there. Shane Jurgensen put in his papers after Bangladesh Cricket Board's 'exaggerated' reaction in the media. Fielding coach Corey Richards and trainer David Dwyer too couldn't hang on. Heath Streak became the bowling coach and Chandika Hathurusingha took over as their head coach but the move couldn't help them avoid another series loss against India. After taking the upperhand against in the second ODI, they fell to Stuart Binny like a pack of cards and never recovered.

West Indies then picked the bones and lost another ODI and Test series. Mushfiqur was relieved of his duties as ODI captain and was replaced by Mashrafe Mortaza, who finally gave Bangladesh fans a reason to smile. They inflicted a 5-0 whitewash over Zimbabwe in ODIs and a 3-0 sweep in Tests to bring an end to a year which had nothing but lows for the side. A stiffer year lies ahead in 2015, where they host India, South Africa and Australia and Bangladesh will have to perform out of their skins in order to not make it a one-sided contest.

In a year of lows, the Test and ODI wins against Zimbabwe was the only saving grace. From players' point-of-view, the emergence of Taijul Islam and Shakib's overall consistency saved Bangladesh the blushes. Taijul picked up eight wickets in an innings against Zimbabwe and Shakib became the third player in Test match history to pick up ten wickets and score a century in the same match.

The fact that Bangladesh were hosting two major tournaments was a big deal. But the inability to win even a single game was a huge blow to the team and its fans. Shock losses to Afghanistan (Asia Cup) and Hong Kong (World T20) will be hard to forget and so will the controversy surrounding Shakib's obscene gesture. The suspension for beating up a spectator, and the controversy surrounding the CPL was received with a lot of criticism.

As many as 10 Bangladesh cricketers made their debuts this year, but just three of them brought some stability to a 'rocked' Bangladesh boat. While Taijul became the first bowler to take a hat-trick in his debut match, legspinner Jubair Hossain's performance (15 wickets in five matches) was a sign of promise. Taskin Ahmed too had a wonder start with a five-wicket haul against India in the second ODI at Dhaka.

Mominul Haque was Bangladesh's leading run-getter in Tests with 614 runs at 51, while skipper Mushfiqur topped the charts in ODIs - 704 runs at 44. Although Bangladesh had a forgettable Asia Cup, Mushfiqur's 117 against India and an unbeaten half-century against Pakistan allowed them to put up a fight before eventually going down. He even scored a fifty each in the bilateral series against India, West Indies and Zimbabwe - the only sizable contribution from any Bangladesh batsman.

Mominul's gritty century in the second Test in February was what stood between a Sri Lanka win a draw. It was unfortunate that his innings was overshadowed by Kumar Sangakkara's maiden triple-century.

To highlight a single entity for Bangladesh's turmoil will be unfair, but Tamim Iqbal was their biggest disappointment, considering his experience. Tamim's form was nothing but sloppy, with 269 runs from 11 ODIs. His Test outings were slightly better - 522 runs in seven games, but the fact that 303 of those came in the final two Tests against Zimbabwe, speaks volumes about the horrid run he's had. Even in terms of fitness, he has been way off mark.

February 09: World Cup warm-up vs Pakistan, Sydney

February 12: World Cup warm-up vs Ireland, Sydney

February 18: World Cup Pool A vs Afghanistan, Canberra

February 21: World Cup Pool A vs Australia, Brisbane

February 26: World Cup Pool A vs Sri Lanka, MCG

March 05: World Cup Pool A vs Scotland, Nelson

March 09: World Cup Pool A vs England, Adelaide

March 13: World Cup Pool A vs New Zealand, Hamilton

April-May: Host Pakistan for two Tests, three ODIs and a T20I

June: Host India for one Test and three ODIs

July: Host South Africa for two Tests, three ODIs and three T20Is

October: Host Australia for two Tests