Towhid Hridoy has raised a crucial point for the future of Bangladesh cricket following their crushing loss in Hyderabad, emphasizing the need for improved pitches back home. His comments came in the aftermath of Bangladesh’s struggle on batting-friendly tracks, especially during their recent series against India, where the team found it challenging to compete on flat wickets. This defeat exposed a significant gap in Bangladesh’s ability to perform on such surfaces, a concern Hridoy feels needs urgent attention for the team to improve.
In Bangladesh, most of the domestic matches are played on spin-friendly pitches, particularly in venues like Mirpur and Chittagong. While this has historically suited their spin attack, it has also limited the team’s ability to adapt when playing on flatter, more balanced tracks abroad. Hridoy pointed out that the lack of exposure to these kinds of pitches has left them vulnerable when competing on surfaces that require better technique and adaptability in both batting and bowling.
Hridoy expressed that Bangladesh can’t expect to see overnight changes but stressed that continuous exposure to better wickets will help the team evolve. He acknowledged that Bangladesh’s cricket standard is not “too low,” but the team lacks the skills necessary to excel on surfaces that differ from the spin-friendly wickets they are accustomed to back home. The crushing defeat against India highlighted these weaknesses, and Hridoy believes it has underscored the need for better training conditions at home to ensure the team can perform in all types of conditions.
Reflecting on the Hyderabad match, where Bangladesh was comprehensively beaten, Hridoy stood out as the lone bright spot in the batting lineup. His unbeaten 63 off 42 balls was a testament to his adaptability, but it wasn’t enough to salvage the game for his team. The lack of substantial contributions from the top-order batsmen was particularly concerning. Hridoy stressed that for Bangladesh to become more competitive in international cricket, the top four batsmen need to contribute consistently on such pitches.
Furthermore, the Bangladesh squad’s difficulties were not just limited to batting. The bowlers also found it tough to make an impact on the flat wickets that favored batsmen. Hridoy mentioned that the team’s struggles in bowling were reflective of their unfamiliarity with these kinds of surfaces. In T20 cricket, where big scores have become the norm, it’s crucial to have bowlers who can adapt to the challenges of playing on flat wickets, something Bangladesh needs to work on.
Another crucial point Hridoy raised was the importance of creating a well-rounded batting unit, particularly in high-stakes T20 matches. A recurring issue in Bangladesh’s lineup is the inconsistency of their batting group, especially at the top of the order. Hridoy emphasized that runs from the top order are vital for setting or chasing big scores, and this has been an area where Bangladesh has lagged behind other teams. He believes that with better pitches at home, the team can gradually develop into a more formidable batting unit capable of taking on stronger teams, especially in international tournaments.
In his closing remarks, Hridoy also threw his support behind leg-spinner Rishad Hossain, who had a brilliant World Cup campaign but struggled in the series against India. Hridoy was optimistic that Rishad would learn from these challenges, stating that Indian wickets can be tough even for the best bowlers. He reiterated that Bangladesh needs to back players like Rishad, as their development will be crucial for the team’s success in future tournaments.
Looking ahead, Hridoy is hopeful that the lessons learned from this defeat will push Bangladesh to make the necessary changes. The cricketer remains confident that Bangladesh has the potential to become a better T20 side but believes the road to improvement starts with better pitches at home. With consistent exposure to batting-friendly wickets, Hridoy hopes that Bangladesh will no longer struggle as they did in Hyderabad and will become a more adaptable and formidable team on the international stage.