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Bangladesh played their first Test in November 2000 against India. In that Test, Bangladesh managed a first innings of over 400 runs but then slid to the first of many one-sided defeats. In all, Bangladesh drew three Tests and lost 31 before claiming their maiden victory on their 35th attempt.
Bangladesh's debut rating in November 2000 was 880 points, which was the lowest rating held by any nation in history. The previous lowest record was held by New Zealand with 903 points in July 1965. Bangladesh then went on to set a lower rating after all but one of their subsequent 17 Test series.
Only during their mid 2004 tour of the Caribbean did Bangladesh earn a small increase in their rating. That was a direct result of managing to draw the first Test at Georgetown, and that without significant the intervention of bad weather. However, the very next series saw Bangladesh resume their ratings decline.
In all, Bangladesh lost 98 ratings points over four years as their rating plummeted to a record low point of 782 points before this series against Zimbabwe.
Bangladesh dominated most of the first Test at Chittagong before winning by 226 runs. Zimbabwe equally dominated the second Test. However, Zimbabwe was unable to get the right balance between an enticing victory target and run rate, and negating the risk of losing.
Even allowing almost ten hours and 142 overs, Zimbabwe was only able to dismiss five batsmen. With a maiden series victory available, Bangladesh adopted the pragmatic approach of playing for a draw. Rather than taking risks chasing a second victory, they scored at almost two runs per over.
The series victory has seen Bangladesh's rating increase to 794 points. They remain locked in tenth position in the ratings, but have narrowed the gap to ninth placed Zimbabwe to 76 ratings points.
Zimbabwe will, of course, be remembered as the team that allowed Bangladesh their maiden Test victory. Much gnashing of teeth has since been heard from the Shaky Isles. The record for the longest number of Tests before a maiden victory will now remain with New Zealand. The Kiwi's finally won their 45th Test match. Until the Zimbabwean tour, Bangladesh did not look like avoiding relieving New Zealand of that unfortunate record.
Zimbabwe is also likely to remain the only Test nation Bangladesh has a fair chance of beating in the near future. Comparing ratings of nations is the same as comparing their relative strength. Therefore, Bangladesh would have the same chance of winning a Test against seventh placed New Zealand as, for example, New Zealand would of defeating Australia.
Zimbabwe's rating has dropped twelve points to 870 points as a result of the series loss to Bangladesh. Again, Zimbabwe is similarly locked into ninth place in the ratings with the margin to eighth placed West Indies currently 97 points.
Zimbabwe has now lost 69 ratings points over the last three years. Considering they did not play a Test for seven months of that period, that would be considered a catastrophic loss of points. However, Zimbabwe was already the lowest ranked established Test nation and their decline was mirrored almost exactly by Bangladesh over that period.
The period of decline also matched the off-field distractions, such as the black invasions of the predominantly white owned farms in Zimbabwe. That was followed by clear political interference in selection policies that led to teams being selected based on race rather than ability. As a result, Zimbabwe lost access to their more talented players after a protracted dispute over selection policies.
In the immediate future, while Zimbabwe continues to select teams based on race rather than ability, they will continue to struggle in international cricket. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that those players they have lost would ever be interested in playing for the nation again.
In a so-called philosophically enlightened world, that once pulled together to exclude South Africa for similar reasons, the question should be asked: Should Zimbabwe be rewarded with continuing membership of the elite Test cricket club?
The latest Test cricket ratings are: 1. Australia (1250); 2. South Africa (1126); 3. England (1125); 4. India (1078); 5. Pakistan (1063) ; 6. Sri Lanka (1045); 7. New Zealand (1021); 8. West Indies (967); 9. Zimbabwe (870); 10. Bangladesh (794).
