The result of the first Test played at Dhaka's Banglabandhu stadium wasn't a surprise. Neither was the ease with which India won. In fact, it was a foregone conclusion that India would sweep away the minnows. And things went exactly as per the script as far as India was concerned. If anything, only better than what they had expected.

It was a match that saw numerous records broken and many new ones created. Day one saw Irfan Pathan rock the Bangladeshi batting order with his maiden five wicket haul and also the long awaited milestone of Anil Kumble becoming India's highest wicket-taker in Test cricket. The 34 year old veteran only seems to be getting wiser and better with age. This season, he has self admittedly been at his best. And it seems, there still ample of cricket left in the moderately talented but brave hearted cricketer.

Another much sought after record was that of Sachin Tendulkar equalling Sunil Gavaskar's great feat of 34 Test centuries. The hosts had every opportunity to dismiss the 'Little Master' on more than one occasion. But they let the chances slip and paid dearly as Sachin not only went on to equal Gavaskar but also register his highest ever Test score. His 248* will not be rated amongst the all time great innings considering the minor opposition. His knock nevertheless was important in the context of the game as they had lost the top three batsmen pretty quickly in the first innings.

Zaheer Khan was another star of the show. But surprise!!! Surprise!!! With the willow in hand. Ala Glenn McGrath, Zaheer batting at No.11 smashed the hapless Bangla bowlers to every nook and corner of the park on his way to a record breaking 75. His now is now the highest ever by a No.11 in Test cricket- an enviable record that might take some beating. His bowling in the second innings was a big disappointment though. Khan would have to word hard on his control prior to the Chittagong clash.

Despite all the aforementioned heroics, the Dhaka Test without doubt belonged to Irfan Pathan. The Baroda left-armer who grabbed nine wickets against the same opposition in a one-day game during his U-19 days (which was not long ago) was at his devastating best returning with 11 scalps in the match. He had numerous Bangladeshi batsmen plumb in front of the wicket. Hardly any of them had an answer to Pathan's sharp swinging beauties. The budding all-rounder was deservedly named Man of the Match for his heroic effort.

Bangladesh, on the other hand, had very little to cheer about. Their batting crumbled like ninepins in both the innings and they never ever looked like giving India even a semblance of threat. Among the few positives for the home side were the performances of Mhd. Ashraful and Mhd. Rafique in the first innings. Ashraful, who scored a magnificent century on Test debut, was the only batsman able to stand up to the Indian bowlers. His (60 n.o.) was a gritty effort which saved his team from greater humiliation. With good support from Mhd. Rafique, Ashraful managed to take Bangladesh to some sought of respectability.

The story was not too different in the second essay. After Pathan snared the top five, Nafis Iqbal and Manjural Rana steadied the ship with resolute knocks. But all that was only delaying the inevitable. The end finally came early on the fourth day but the fate of the match was decided much earlier.

And so, it was another humiliating defeat for the hosts who have not won a single Test since being given the opportunity to play the longer version four years ago. It is not as if Bangladesh did not have their chances. Sachin Tendulkar was dropped thrice and Sourav Ganguly once. While playing against experienced teams, you cannot afford so many lapses. Had they held on to their chances, things could have been so very different.

The biggest problem with Bangladesh cricket is their inability to capitalise on winning situations. The Test against Pakistan where they had their much fancied opponents nine down is a glaring instance. Talent wise, there are a few positives to work on for Dav Wahtmore. The likes of Javed Omar, Habibul Bashar and Mhd. Ashraful have scored quality runs against top oppositions. But it is the consistency that has been lacking.

The bowling is a bigger worry for the minnows. Apart from Mhd. Rafique and Tapash Baishya to some extent, none of the others are anywhere near international standards. It is of utmost importance for Bangladesh cricket to identify the right person for the right job and groom them accordingly.

As of now, the signs aren't great for the home country. Despite enormous craze for the sport in the nation, Bangladesh have not shown an iota of improvement in their game since being granted Test status in 2000. In fact, if anything, their chart has gone downwards over a period of time. To chance this gloomy state of affairs, it is essential for the seniors in the side to take charge.(first and foremost, the captain Habibul Bashar himself who played innocuous strokes in both innings).

The series will definitely be 2-0 in India's favour unless something extraordinary happens at Chittagong. But what Bangladesh have to try and do is compete. Only when they believe they can give teams like India a run for their money can things improve in Bangladesh cricket.