Bangladesh's struggle to dismiss lower-order batters in Test matches has become a persistent issue, leading to mounting frustration among the bowlers. The latest instance unfolded during the Dhaka Test against South Africa, where despite reducing the Proteas to 108 for 6, Bangladesh allowed them to post a challenging total of 308, thanks to the contributions from lower-order players like Wiaan Mulder and Dane Piedt.

Wiaan Mulder, known primarily as an all-rounder, hadn’t established himself as a strong batter statistically. Dane Piedt, a specialist bowler, further proved Bangladesh’s vulnerability against lower-order batters by showing unexpected batting resolve. This trend is not new; teams like India, Pakistan, and Zimbabwe have seen their lower-order players thrive against Bangladesh in the past. Despite regular top-order breakthroughs, these unexpected batting performances from tailenders have left the Bangladesh bowlers increasingly frustrated.

Pacer Hasan Mahmud did not hold back when asked about the recurring issue. He acknowledged the frustration and the difficulties of breaking these partnerships:

"In Test cricket, such situations happen where partnerships form out of nowhere. It happens so frequently that it gets irritating. At that point, we focus on maintaining tight lines and being economical, trying to keep the basics intact. It’s about creating pressure on the batter and going for the wickets."

When questioned about whether the Bangladesh bowlers tend to ease up against tailenders, Hasan dismissed the notion and emphasized the importance of every wicket:

"The runs from tailenders are just as crucial. Their wickets are important too. We bowl to them with the same plans as we do for main batters. Sometimes, it works out, sometimes it doesn’t, but we always try."

A key question that arose was why captain Najmul Hossain Shanto did not turn to part-time bowlers when the regular bowlers failed to break partnerships. Hasan defended Shanto’s decision, expressing faith in the captain’s tactics:

"It's better to rely on the main bowlers rather than part-timers. Main bowlers are more likely to deliver wicket-taking deliveries. The captain always makes decisions with the team’s best interests in mind."

The issue of lower-order batters outperforming their expectations against Bangladesh is not a new phenomenon. One of the most infamous examples came in April 2006, during a scorching Test match in Chittagong, when Australian bowler Jason Gillespie, known for batting at number 9 or 10, stunned everyone by scoring an unbeaten 201 as a nightwatchman. That innings was the only time in his career he batted at No. 3, and ironically, he never played a Test again after that match. His knock became symbolic of how lower-order batters find ease against Bangladesh’s bowling attack.

The challenge of dismissing tailenders has become a critical issue for Bangladesh, and as the team continues to improve, addressing this weakness remains a priority for the Tigers' bowling unit.