There are two ways to approach a Test match and you must decide your approach even before a ball is bowled. Either you go for a win or you play to avoid defeat. When you go for a win you pick bowlers who are likely to pick 20 wickets of the opposition and also, you prepare a pitch that's likely to assist them.


Bangladesh's Mohammad Shahid (right) looks dejected on Day Three of the one-off Test against India yesterday. Pic/AFP 

But when you start a Test match with the sole objective of avoiding defeat you pick the team that Bangladesh has picked with a proper batsman slated to bat at No 8 and you prepare a pitch that's unlikely to yield a result in normal circumstances. That's exactly what we've seen at Fatullah.