The year Bangladesh reinforced their Test pedigree

It's that time of the year when you're just about recovering from the Christmas celebrations and although the head's heavy from that night, we have already indulged ourselves into planning our New Year's eve. However, it's also time for some soul searching, reflect on the year that's gone by and a few resolutions are to be made too. How well those resolutions stick around determine the fate through the next 12 months.

So, what are Bangladesh doing this New Year's eve? Looking back? Looking forward? Stuck in between?

They played nine Tests this year (seven more than in 2016), made their first-ever semifinal appearance in a Champions Trophy and lost left-right-center in the shortest format of the game. Off the field, there were some events too (Shakib Al Hasan's six-month Test sabbatical and coach Chandika Hathurusingha's resignation) that had a large scale impact on their cricket, and if you believe the rumour mills, both were inter-connected too.

Known for their one-off wins in the limited-overs format, Bangladesh's conscious attempt to rework that image by putting better shows in Test cricket started to come through only last year when they managed to stop England from winning a series. In 2017, they took their Test pedigree to a new pedestal altogether. Their first Test victory against Sri Lanka came in Sri Lanka, but alas there were no deciders to announce a clear winner in that two-Test series.

When Australia came next, the big boys were made to trail 0-1 before they bounced back to draw level. In the ODIs though, they were lucky to get to the semifinal, thanks largely to the wash-outs in Australia's fixtures in their group. While just one win took them to the final four, a thumping at the hands of India showed them the way out. Their solo wins against Sri Lanka in both ODI and T20I series ensured they came back without losing a series in Sri Lanka.

Timeline

Apathy in New Zealand

Having lost all three ODIs on the other side of the year, Bangladesh would have only hoped to start 2017 on a good note. But that wasn't to be, as they were denied any chance of doing that, with drubbings in all three T20Is and two Tests. The only highlight that stood out from the the Test series were the memorable batting shows from two seniors - Shakib Al Hasan, who scored a fine double hundred, and Mushfiqur Rahim who came up with a solid 159, in the first Test.

Big occasion against the Big Brother, India

It had been 17 years since Bangladesh received its Test status by debuting against India at the Bangabandhu stadium in Dhaka. Yet, they had never come to India for a Test, and when they did, they were clearly consumed by the occasion. Shakib and Mushfiqur fought for a while but they were no match to the double ton smashed by Kohli, or the combined effectiveness of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. Eventually, India handed out a massive 208-run defeat to their neighbours in the one-off Test, extending their Test agony in the year.

Historic Test triumph on Lankan soil

Sri Lanka might have been in the middle of nowhere, in terms of transition, form and consistency but come Test matches at home, they seem to find their feet. Bangladesh were humbled in the first Tests, and surprises weren't expected in the second. However, a rejuvenated Bangladesh unit put in a collective show, led by Shakib and Tamim Iqbal. The win would go on to be one of Bangladesh's most special, even more since it came on a land where not many visitors had the opportunity of returning from with good memories.

The limited-overs leg too saw the honours being shared, with Bangladesh and Sri Lanka ending with one win apiece in both ODIs and T20Is. It was a pity that the Test and T20I series didn't have a deciding third game, and one of the ODIs was washed out due to incessant rain.

Heading into the Champions Trophy

Bangladesh had a tri-nation ODI series lined up in Ireland against the hosts and New Zealand, in a bid to acclimatize with the conditions that would be on offer in England during the 50-over mega event. While defeating Ireland wasn't a big surprise, Bangladesh did manage to make amends from their loss against New Zealand in one of the games. After losing in their first encounter, Bangladesh came up with a strong batting show led by fifties from Tamim and Sabbir Rahman to win their second meeting against the Black Caps.

Luck aides first Champions Trophy semifinal appearance

After being swept away disdainfully in the opening encounter by hosts England, they ran into a red-hot Australia who were on the verge of sending them out of England soon. However, rain showed its persistence to save Bangladesh the blushes. While Australia had to contend with another wash-out, Bangladesh were inspired by twin tons from Shakib and Mahmudullah who helped them chase a challenging 266 to progress into the penultimate round.

Defending champions India though, were brutal as their top three batsmen toyed with Bangladesh to show them the way out. Although it would be remembered as their best finish till date in a Champions Trophy, they would know that without luck, it wasn't meant to be.

Building a fortress at home, this time versus Australia

Bangladesh had sent strong signals of their growing stature at home and Australia would have had only themselves to blame if they discounted their opponents' ability. The hosts didn't put too many runs on the board but Shakib's five-fer ensured that even 260 was enough to bag a lead. When Australia came out to chase a tricky 264, Shakib turned the screws once again, despite a superb ton from David Warner at the top. In the end, Shakib's second fifer in the game was too good to be undone as the hosts managed to bag yet another first - a Test win against Australia.

The tourists though would come back hard in the second Test to draw level in the series.

Beaten to pulp in South Africa

Despite all the bravado at home, there was little chance that Bangladesh could upset the Proteas in their own den and the results were no surprise. With Shakib away on a Test sabbatical, things only got tougher as Bangladesh were rolled over in both the Tests, before being trampled over in three ODIs and two T20Is.

Shakib's Test sabbatical

One of the raging debates in Bangladesh in 2017 was Shakib Al Hasan's proposal to be not considered for Test cricket for a period of six months. While the board was left with no choice but oblige to their star cricketer's request, it left a lot of unrest within the cricket circles, especially with the South Africa tour scheduled next. The ace all-rounder then claimed that he needed to ease his workload going forward, in a bit to prolong his career. However, having been at the forefront in the win against Australia, his decision to not take part in the South Africa Tests didn't go down well with most.

Hathurusingha's unfortunate exit midway through his tenure

Chandika Hathurusingha is credited for bringing in a sea of changes in Bangladesh's cricketing culture, and it was during his tenure that the team went on to achieve feats that were previously unheard of. While the Sri Lankan was contracted with the team until the 2019 World Cup, his decision to resign left BCB with no option but accept it. The veteran coach was believed to have been put off by Shakib's decision to take a break from Tests, and the overall mental health and attitude of the players during the South Africa tour fuelled his decision further. SLC seized the opportunity and jumped at the first available chance to secure his services, in a bid to restore their cricketing pride that had been on the downhill for some time. Interestingly, Hathurusingha's first assignment as Sri Lanka's coach will be against Bangladesh in a tri-nation series that also has Zimbabwe.

Top Performer:Shakib Al Hasan

Although the Test sabbatical didn't go down well with most of Bangladesh's cricket fraternity and fans, the star all-rounder didn't disappoint in his showings throughout the year. From his stellar double hundred in New Zealand to inspiring performances against Sri Lanka and Australia in Tests, he remained Bangladesh's gun player even this year. While his bowling went down in the ODIs, his 114 against New Zealand that helped Bangladesh pip others in the group to advance into the semis of the Champions Trophy was one of the major highlights of the year.

Worst Performer:Imrul Kayes

The left-hander was asked to occupy the No. 3 spot in Bangladesh's Test side, a role he thought to be more difficult than that of an opener. Difficult it proved to be as Kayes's numbers in six Tests were not noteworthy. Returning an average of just 17, Kayes's best was an unbeaten 36. In ODIs too, he struggled, and barring a 68 against South Africa, he did nothing to push his case further. The shortest format was no different.

However, it was not just Kayes who failed to punch above his weight during the year. Although Mustafizur Rahman featured only in a few outings owing to an injury, his limited performances were quite ordinary. Same was the case with Soumya Sarkar, who despite being tipped to do great things in Bangladesh cricket, failed to achieve much.

Looking forward to 2018

Bangladesh have quite a lot of cricket lined up in the year to come. They start with a tri-nation ODI series that will involve Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka. Following that, they play a two-Test series against Sri Lanka before wrapping up the series with two T20Is. In March, they tour Sri Lanka for the Independence Cup that will also see India taking part.