The Bangladesh men鈥檚 cricket team began 2024 with a T20I series loss to Sri Lanka in Sylhet but ended the year securing a maiden series victory over the West Indies in the shortest format of the game in Kingstown.聽
The year reflected contrasting fortunes, with some new highs tempered by disappointing lows for the Tigers.
In Tests, Bangladesh experienced a mixed journey of triumphs and setbacks. They won three Tests鈥攖he joint highest for them in a single year鈥攂ut they failed to secure a single Test at home.聽
The red-ball campaign began with a 2-0 series defeat to Sri Lanka in March at home. However, they made history by sweeping Pakistan in a two-match series in Rawalpindi, marking their first-ever Test win against Pakistan.
The Tigers made remarkable comebacks in both Tests in Rawalpindi. In the first Test, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mehidy Hasan Miraz put up a record partnership of 196 runs for the seventh wicket.
In the second Test, they recovered from a precarious 26-6, thanks to a splendid hundred from Liton Das with Mehidy contributing as well.聽
However, they were outplayed by India in the two-match Test series in Chennai despite having the hosts at 144-6 in the first innings.聽
In Kanpur, Bangladesh suffered a thrashing defeat when they lost in a little over five sessions after two days were washed out due to rain.聽
Bangladesh wanted to turn things around against South Africa at home. But the hosts failed to turn up as they lost both the Mirpur and Chattogram Tests.
They ended the year in Tests on a high note, beating hosts West Indies in the second match to split the series 1-1.
The ODI format took a backseat in the year of the T20 World Cup. Bangladesh played only nine ODIs, the joint lowest since 2001.聽
They won a home series against Sri Lanka 2-1 but suffered a 2-1 defeat to Afghanistan and were clean-swept by the West Indies.
In T20Is, Bangladesh won the highest number of matches, securing 12 victories, yet they struggled with consistency.聽
A surprising series defeat to the USA caught attention just before the World Cup.聽
The group stage matches were marked by close wins and losses, featuring a narrow two-run win against Sri Lanka and falling short by four runs against South Africa in New York.
Bangladesh had a golden chance to reach the semifinals. Chasing 116 in 12.1 overs against Afghanistan in Kingstown, the team failed to capitalise, sparking criticism from fans and analysts.聽
They ended the year on a high with a clean sweep over the West Indies, thanks to standout performances from Jaker Ali, Mahedi Hasan, and Shamim Hossain.
On an individual level, the emergence of Nahid Rana created a new frenzy as the fast bowlers鈥� raw pace stirred the cricket world. The 22-year-old from Chapai Nawabgonj often clocked 150 kph while maintaining a tight line and length.聽
2024 may also have marked the end of Shakib Al Hasan鈥檚 illustrious international career. The all-rounder expressed his desire to bid farewell to Test cricket during the India tour, with the Mirpur Test against South Africa.聽
However, political protests and advice from the government saw him withdraw from the squad. Shakib has not played for Bangladesh since and has yet to join his BPL franchise, Chittagong Kings.
Najmul Hossain Shanto, the all-format captain, also stirred some discussion after expressing his desire to quit the captaincy.聽
However, BCB then had convinced him to continue, but the matter hasn鈥檛 been solved fully.
An injury sidelined him for the final tour of the year in the Caribbean.