Tigers' year of contradictions: Triumphing against odds, failing as favourites

Bangladesh's cricketing year in 2024 has been one of contrasts, defined by moments of brilliance overshadowed by recurring lapses.

A clear pattern has emerged: the team often thrives when expectations are low, yet struggles under the weight of being favourites.

This trend, while offering glimpses of potential, also raises serious concerns ahead of major tournaments like the Champions Trophy in 2025.

The year began with a disheartening start, as Bangladesh suffered defeats to Sri Lanka in both the Test and T20 formats at home. These results were disappointing, particularly given that the Tigers were expected to fare better against an inexperienced Sri Lankan side.

Despite batting-friendly pitches, Bangladesh crossed 200 only once across four Test innings, a stark reminder of their inability to capitalise on familiar conditions. 

These performances stood in stark contrast to their resilience in December 2023, when they held New Zealand to a 1-1 Test series draw. In that series, Bangladesh were not under pressure to perform, facing a strong New Zealand side that had just won the World Test Championship.

The underdog label seemed to liberate the Tigers, allowing them to secure a commanding 150-run victory in Sylhet and almost snatch the second Test if not for Glenn Phillips' brilliance.

The same pattern persisted in the T20 series against the USA, where Bangladesh were expected to dominate but suffered a humiliating 2-1 defeat. This marked the USA's first-ever series win against a Test-playing nation, exposing the Tigers' vulnerability when playing as favourites.

However, when the T20 World Cup came around, the narrative shifted again. Entering with minimal expectations after the USA debacle, Bangladesh displayed admirable fight. 

They secured wins against Sri Lanka, Nepal, and the Netherlands, and even pushed eventual runners-up South Africa in a spirited display.

Yet, when stakes were highest in the Super 8 clash against Afghanistan, the team faltered. Despite a strong start by Litton Das, the chase unravelled with a streak of dot balls and a lack of intent from senior players like Mahmudullah Riyad, culminating in an eight-run loss and the end of their campaign.

A brief period of redemption came in the Test series against Pakistan, where Bangladesh shocked the cricketing world with a 2-0 series win in Pakistan's backyard. This triumph, marked by grit and resilience, saw the Tigers outperform the hosts in spin-friendly conditions.

The first Test was won convincingly after Pakistan's declaration, and the second featured a record-breaking partnership between Litton Das and Mehidy Hasan Miraz, rescuing the team from 26 for 6 to secure a historic series victory. This series will go down as one of Bangladesh's greatest Test achievements, but the momentum did not last long.

In India, Bangladesh faced a reality check, losing both Test matches in one-sided fashion despite carrying confidence from their success in Pakistan. Back home, their fortunes didn't improve as they were outplayed by South Africa in a Test series where the visitors secured a dominant 2-0 win, including an innings victory in Chattogram.

This was particularly disappointing given the Proteas' poor record in subcontinental conditions in recent years.

The ODI format, once Bangladesh's strongest suit, also brought more frustrations than joy. A surprising series loss to Afghanistan at home further dented their morale, and their performances in the West Indies only deepened concerns.

After a spirited second-Test win by 101 runs to level the series, the Tigers suffered a shocking 3-0 ODI whitewash at the hands of the West Indies. This result was a massive blow, given Bangladesh's dominance over the Caribbean side in ODIs over the past decade.

The timing of this defeat is alarming, coming just months before the Champions Trophy, where expectations will again be on the rise.

Bangladesh's struggles under pressure extend beyond 2024. In the 2023 ODI World Cup, where they entered with significant optimism after years of consistency in the format, the Tigers finished a dismal eighth out of ten teams.

Wins against Afghanistan and Sri Lanka were overshadowed by controversies, including the fallout between Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal, and erratic performances on the field. The issues, both internal and external, have continued to affect the team's ability to live up to expectations. 

The 3-0 whitewash in the Caribbean serves as a stark warning. The team must address key weaknesses if they are to avoid repeating the same mistakes.

A recurring inability to handle pressure in crunch moments suggests a lack of mental preparedness, while an overreliance on individual brilliance has made them vulnerable in team-centric challenges.

To break free from this cycle, Bangladesh must embrace expectations rather than shy away from them.