Samsul Arefin Khan

Unless the domestic structure is prioritised and revitalised, Bangladesh may find themselves perpetually playing catch-up.

If this trajectory holds, Bangladesh may finally have found a dependable opener, and perhaps a long-awaited answer to a persistent problem.

There was a striking similarity between the starts of New Zealand and Bangladesh in the opening ODI of the three-match series in Mirpur on Friday, but the contrasting approaches that followed ultimately defined the outcome.

Bangladesh players had a combined 761 ODI appearances compared to New Zealand’s 368 before Friday's series opener.

Since returning from Melbourne in late March, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Aminul Islam Bulbul has remained active in board affairs even as growing internal instability has continues casting a shadow over his tenure.

For years, all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan and pacer Mustafizur Rahman were Bangladesh’s only regulars in franchise-based T20 leagues around the world before leg-spinner Rishad Hossain joined their ranks with recent appearances in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and Big Bash League (BBL).

One of the country’s most consistent domestic performers, the 39-year-old spoke about his shift to selection, his goals in the new role, and the need for greater transparency.

Bangladesh’s 11-run victory over Pakistan in the series-deciding third ODI on Sunday brought much-needed relief, helping them climb to ninth in the ODI rankings, but even in victory, the team’s conservative batting approach raised concerns.