Bangladesh's encouraging start to the Asia Cup, marked by a victory against Hong Kong and a respectable run rate, belies a deeper concern. A decade-long analysis reveals a troubling trend: Bangladesh consistently ranks last among the top ten T20I teams in terms of run rate, a predicament shared by Sri Lanka. This article delves into the reasons behind this underperformance, examining various contributing factors and challenging common assumptions.
The statistics paint a stark picture. Over the past decade (2015-present), Bangladesh has averaged 7.57 runs per over in 157 T20I matches, while Sri Lanka managed 7.66 runs per over in 142 matches. This pales in comparison to the top performers. Seven of the top ten teams averaged over 8 runs per over, with India nearing 9 (8.91). This low run rate is not an isolated issue; both nations also suffer from low batting averages.
A common explanation points to the nature of the pitches. The Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka and the Premadasa Stadium in Colombo are often described as spin-friendly, hindering aggressive batting. Bangladesh's T20I captain, Liton Das, has openly acknowledged this, suggesting his batting average and strike rate would be significantly higher if not for the home ground. Similar sentiments have been expressed by former Sri Lankan captain Wanindu Hasaranga and current coach Chandika Hathurusingha concerning the Premadasa wicket.
Statistical evidence lends some credence to this pitch argument. From 2020 onwards, both Bangladesh (7.05 runs per over in 39 matches) and Sri Lanka (7.76 runs per over in 28 matches) recorded the lowest run rates among all grounds. Their batting averages during this period also placed them among the bottom two. However, solely blaming the pitches is an oversimplification.
The argument that pitch conditions are solely responsible for the low run rates is challenged by the fact that neither team experiences a significant improvement in run rate when playing abroad. From 2020, while playing against top-ten teams overseas, Sri Lanka's run rate increased by only 0.28 runs per over, and Bangladesh's by 0.70. In contrast, other teams averaged an increase of 1.53 runs per over when playing outside Bangladesh or Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka scored an average of 5.6 more runs per innings overseas, while Bangladesh managed 14 more runs. This suggests that while playing abroad, Bangladesh increases its run rate by 14 runs per match compared to its domestic performance, which translates to an increase of 114 runs overall in a hypothetical 100-run match at home. Other teams show a far more substantial increase (30.6 runs on average) when playing outside Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
Therefore, the question remains: if the home pitches are not the sole culprit, what accounts for the persistently low T20I run rates of Bangladesh and Sri Lanka? This question hangs heavy as the two teams face off in the Asia Cup, their match representing more than just a sporting contest—it's a reflection of deeper systemic issues within their cricketing structures, potentially encompassing domestic cricket standards, infrastructure, coaching methodologies, and player development. The Asia Cup clash serves as a stage to confront these challenges and potentially uncover solutions for these two cricketing nations struggling to elevate their T20I performance. The answer may lie not just on the pitch but in a deeper analysis of their cricketing ecosystem.