Bangladesh have often relied on spin to run through opponents in home Tests, where surfaces, particularly in Mirpur, have traditionally favoured slow bowling. But the Tigers have become a more balanced unit, with pace proving an effective weapon against Pakistan at home and Australia away.
Their decision to field only two pacers in the one-off Test against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi, despite their recent progress, raises questions over whether they are trusting their greatest strength enough.
Spin has traditionally done better at the Zayed Cricket Stadium, but only marginally. In Tests over the past 10 years, spinners have taken 142 wickets there, compared to 125 for pacers. Bangladesh backed their three frontline spinners for the match, who boast more than 500 Test wickets between them. However, the limitations of spin on flatter surfaces were exposed in Abu Dhabi.
The Tigers have previously seen the same trio of Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam and Nayeem Hasan taken apart by Kyle Mayers in Chattogram. They also fell into their own spin trap in 2023, when New Zealand’s spinners outperformed their Bangladesh counterparts to win the second Test in Mirpur.
Did Bangladesh once again focus too heavily on conditions at the expense of their own strengths?
Hasan Mahmud and Ebadot Hossain certainly made their presence felt in Abu Dhabi. Hasan claimed a historic hattrick and finished with six wickets in the match, while Ebadot took seven, including three in the second innings when the other bowlers struggled for breakthroughs. Of Afghanistan’s 18 wickets to fall across the match, the two pacers claimed 13.
Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto faced questions over whether Bangladesh had misread the pitch by opting for three spinners instead of an additional pacer. Shoriful Islam and Khaled Ahmed were available as alternatives.
“Regarding the pitch, I think we could take another seamer. But I think looking at the condition and the weather, I think it’s very difficult to judge,” Shanto acknowledged after the match on Tuesday.
“I don’t think the wicket and the combination is the thing. I think we didn’t take those opportunities, especially in the field,” he added.
Spin coach Mushtaq Ahmed had said after the second day that Shoriful Islam was ‘underbowled’ before the match, suggesting he might not have been fit enough to play. Khaled Ahmed, however, was available after a successful county stint but remained on the bench.
The management’s plans appear to have revolved around spin, with the extreme Abu Dhabi heat expected to place an additional burden on the pacers.
Bangladesh now face important home Tests against the West Indies later this month as they pursue their World Test Championship (WTC) ambitions. Team management sources have hinted at sporting pitches, where pacers could exploit extra bounce while spin would remain relevant.
Yet Abu Dhabi showed the risks of moving away from pace despite its recent success. With the West Indies Tests approaching, Bangladesh’s biggest lesson should be to trust their pace strength before seeking an advantage through spin.