Pakistan in Bangladesh (2011)

Well done Shakib and Nafees but it was just a case of two guys (one of whom is their best player) having a really good day. They will collapse tomorrow and PAK will pile on the runs. I don't want to be mean but BAN just shouldn't have Test status. Today's performance was an anomaly, it will not happen consistently enough in order to justify Test status. 

So are you saying that BAN should have Test status sam? Don't get me wrong, I think they will continue to have Test status, especially considering what you just said. That doesn't mean they should.

2nd time in the space of a couple of weeks that an umpire has given a batsman out when the bowler didn't even appeal. Outrageously bad. What makes it worse is no DRS so we have to live with this incompetency.  

ZIM have worked hard to build a team and have done most of the above listed things and they have defeated BAN and given NZ a really tough game. That's a damn good return to Test cricket and so I can agree with you on ZIM for the time being. I reserve the right to change my mind once some thrashings occur lol

Your suggestion is a problem because it is just pointless. It is wasting time on an already busy international schedule, it is promoting one-sided Test matches under the guise of development. If BAN want to improve, set up a proper FC system. Infrastructure, planning, grassroots cricket clubs. Start from scratch and try and build a proper team; obviously keeping the key players like Tamim and Shakib. Success is earned, Test status is earned and diligence and effort should be rewarded. BAN atm are just turning up and getting  beaten and showing no signs of improvement. They aren't going forward. I feel sorry for the crowds and the support is awesome given such an awful team but support doesn't automatically enable a side to play Test cricket. If Afghanistan could rally supporters to stadiums, do we suddenly give these blokes Test status too? BAN fans have always been supportive but this has not yielded results yet, at some point sentiment must go out of the window and bold decisions must be taken. Strip BAN of Test status, invest in the country's cricketing infrastructure, more FC games, more experience, better players coming through and then think of re-allowing them. Just having them floating about, playing the odd couple of games a year and getting thrashed is not facilitating improvement.

There is a case either way BP, but now that the test status is already given then I think they'll have to stick with it, I agree that it's high time BAN win some test matches, at least at home, well we'll see how it goes.

Its been a bitter sweet year really Sam, not entirely marvelous.

Sweet on the field, bitter off it. But satisfactory nonetheless. the boys are ready for January and its going to be a cracker I am sure.

The only thing positive I can say about BD is that they actually impressed me by forming a couple of decent partnerships. It's really just the basics and unfortunately their top order and tail always seem to collapse. It's only those couple of guys in the middle like Shakib and Mushfiqr who can hold it together. Getting a bit distressing for BD when the guy who makes the big ton also has to be the guy to get all the wickets....

Yes, not one but two Butt's mystery!!!

Edited by sam_ahmed - 24 December 2011 at 8:26am