Sports Desk:

Bangladesh’s three-wicket defeat against Zimbabwe in the first Test at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium not only defied expectations but also exposed lingering weaknesses in the team’s batting setup.

Chief among these was the underwhelming performance of the batting unit — a recurring problem that once again proved costly. While several players underperformed, it is the prolonged dip in form of veteran Mushfiqur Rahim [who has 6015 runs in 95 Tests at average of 37.36] that has become the most pressing concern.

Despite Zimbabwe chasing down a modest target, Bangladesh failed to capitalise on key moments, largely due to a brittle middle order and lack of partnerships. Mushfiqur’s scores — 4 and 4 — were emblematic of a broader trend.

Over his last seven international appearances across formats, he has managed only 13 runs, a statistic that speaks volumes about his current struggle to adapt to the demands of top-level cricket.

Mushfiqur, who retired from T20Is and ODIs earlier, was expected to anchor the Test batting lineup and offer stability. However, since his 191 against Pakistan in Rawalpindi last August, he has failed to cross 40 in 12 Test innings — a stretch that puts significant pressure on both his individual place and the team’s overall batting strategy.

Despite the numbers, Mushfiqur found a supporter in captain Najmul Hossain Shanto. “He is an experienced cricketer,” Shanto said during post-match briefing.

“He helps the batters. He talks a lot during training. Of course, his batting is important. I am not thinking about his milestone or achievements from the past, I don’t think he is either. I hope, with one match remaining, he will make a comeback. I am not giving up hope. He has been in poor form in the past and made comebacks.”

While captain Shanto acknowledged Mushfiqur’s value in leadership and preparation — citing his role in planning and mentoring — the reality remains that contributions off the field cannot compensate for consistent failure with the bat, particularly in a format that demands both resilience and productivity from senior players.

The timing could not be more critical.

With the second and final Test set to begin on April 28 in Chattogram, Bangladesh face a must-win scenario not just to salvage the series but also to stabilise their Test campaign going forward.

For Mushfiqur, the match carries added weight. He is five Tests away from becoming the first Bangladeshi cricketer to reach the 100-Test milestone — a landmark achievement. But milestones alone cannot justify selection if current form continues to deteriorate.