Don't write-off Ricky Ponting

Nirmal Shekhar once wrote, “Sport is a strange business. For all that it matters, yesterday, in reality, may be million years in the past. In that sense, it is a bit like journalism, as a profession. Yesterday’s report is already in the dustbin of history. You are as good as your tomorrow morning’s story.

So indeed it is the same for an athlete. The glorious rich vein of the last series is hardly of any value. The question always is: What the hell did you do today?

In the world of sport, every season dozens of once-mighty champion athlete are run out of what they might have believed was their home. The older the neck, the more swiftly does sport’s guillotine comes down.”

Ricky Ponting, one of the most successful batsmen and captain in the history of Test and limited –overs cricket, is experiencing himself is such a situation. At present he’s  regarded as the man of yesterday by the critics and his performance is under the scrutiny each time he goes out to bat. Ponting’s bat, for the last two-year or so haven’t scripted a hundred and his way of dismissals are such that it’s hard to believe that we are watching the actions of a champion customer. As they say, Ponting is in the twilight zone.

 But still Ricky Ponting wants to move on despite all this as he believes that he has still cricket left in him.

But why does he believe that he can still carry on?  

Nirmal Shekhar gave a great explanation to this by saying that the kind of pressure that a professional athlete faces today is extraordinary. And to become a successful sportsman for such a long duration is quite remarkable. They are not only extraordinary sportsman, but also an extraordinary human-being who have adjusted to varying demands and have made great sacrifices to achieve what they have accomplished.

I think, during such a long, successful period a champion sportsman gains an extraordinary will power, astonishing self-belief and mental strength to keep himself going further and for which players like Ponting are capable of carrying on.

 The world of sports is seldom kind towards a sportsman who is over 35 years, but history suggests that there had been and has been champions who defied the odds and came out shinning for their country.

Imran Khan led Pakistan to a World Cup win at the age of 39. Sachin Tendulkar seem to be going stronger and stronger even at 38, while Dravid and Laxman are sharper even at 35-plus. Strong will power, self-belief and the never-ending interest to play the game have led them to defeat their age.

And for this reason, in my opinion, Ricky Ponting will move on and in a matter of time his bat will shine for Australia as because, form is temporary but class is permanent and Ponting has still that hunger to score runs.

For a sports fan, there is nothing more pleasing and satisfying in sport than watching an aging champion continue to script astonishing epics: “the victory over encroaching age, victory over Time itself,” as Nirmal Shekhar stated in his article.

Don’t write off Ricky Ponting. 

Thank You

Faisal Caesar

Bangladesh cricket - He is still that Shakib Al Hasan

Before the start of series against West Indies, Shakib Al Hasan was in the soup. He hit the headlines with plenty of off the field issues. His arrogance became a headache for the hierarchy of Bangladesh cricket and as a result, he was removed from the captaincy of Bangladesh cricket team. It was a tough time for Shakib and according to the critics and fans, such issues might affect his form badly.

But the champions are hardly bogged down by tough situations, but they fight back with enough courage and bounces back in style. Adverse circumstances make them more determined to perform. That tough period had made Shakib more determined to deliver the best and at present, he is the best performer for Bangladesh despite all the controversies and off-the-field issues.

In the series against the West Indies, Shakib in the ODIs have scored 79 runs in 3 matches at an average of 79.00 at a strike rate of 117.1 and also took 6 wickets at an average of 16.00 with the strike rate and economy rate being 25.0 and 3.84 respectively. This performance helped Shakib to get past Shane Watson in the ICC ODI all-rounder rankings to become the number 1 ODI all-rounder in the world which an achievement which ahs given the whole nation enough joy and pride.

In the Test series against West Indies, Shakib took 10 wickets at an average of 22.0 with strike rate and economy rate being 47.8 and 2.98 respectively. Again, with the bat he was effective. Shakib scored 168 runs at an average of 56.00 with the strike rate of 74.00. This sound performance earned him the ‘Man of the series’ award. Again, this performance has put Shakib in the second place of the ICC Test all-rounders list which has been a matter of pride for us.

In the series against Pakistan, during the Twenty20 and One-day International series, Shakib’s bowling was good. In the only Twenty20, he grabbed important wickets to halt Pakistan’s momentum. In the three match ODI series, Shakib picked up four wickets at an economy rate of 3.03 at the strike rate of 44.5 and with an average of 22.50.

In the two-match Test series against Pakistan it was Shakib’s bat which dazzled more than his bowling. Altogether Shakib had scored 209 runs at an average of 52.25 at a strike rate of 62.23. In the second Test match at Mirpur, Shakib became the member of a unique club of scoring a hundred and taking five wickets in a Test match and in the last 15 years it’s being Jac Kallis, R Ashwin and our ShakibAl Hasan to script such an achievement.

Shakib’s 144 in the Dhaka Test was brilliant. He batted nearly six hours that spanned five sessions, two of which went wicketless. This was the fifth longest innings at the crease by a Bangladeshi batsman, and easily Shakib's longest innings. Of the 15 boundaries during the 242-ball innings, Shakib hit just one on the second day. This was his patience but the boundaries he hit were all top drawer stuffs. Those cracking drives through the off-side drives with enough power left the fielders motionless on most occasions.

Each strokes had the beauty of a left-handed artist and the don’t-give-a-dam attitude of a gangster. His innings proved one thing and that is, Bangladeshi batsmen can script long innings’ even with playing their strokes.

Hero and ego are almost always best friends and it’s quite same with Shakib also. Shakib bears the image a cricketer, being rude, arrogant and at times obnoxious with flaming rows with the authorities of Bangladesh cricket, but Shakib, on the field never gives his egos the upprhand, but always delivers the best when his team needs it.

Shakib is still that Shakib Al Hasan who was instrumental in scripting glorious results for Bangladesh during his stint as captain and even after so many controversies he remains as the number one performer for Bangladesh.

  

Shakib Al Hasan is the top all-rounder at present as he has proved his worth against top teams both with the ball and bat. But that is not what makes him so palm-rubbingly tantalizing to watch, but it is his randomness, his dedication towards his team, his flashy batting, his killer arm-balls and the absence of contamination by management risk-assessors. 

Never take your eyes off this legend-in-the-making from Bangladesh.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar

Thank you Cape Town, Johannesburg and Mumbai

 I get sad when I notice a huge amount of dissatisfaction among the younger generation regarding Test cricket. I get annoyed when I hear some of the modern day cricket experts to announce the death of Test cricket. Death of Test cricket? Seriously, how can a cricket expert, announce such? The meteoric rise of Twenty20 cricket and a crazy money train called the Indian Premier League have cast a magic spell among the younger generation and some of the lusty cricket experts.  

Suddenly the concept of Test cricket is so old-fashioned! Test cricket seems to have out-lived their usefulness to many. But, hey, the longevity of cricket’s oldest format is long enough. Its existence is for eternity. The classic Test matches in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Mumbai have proved the true worth of Test cricket yet again.      

Both the Cape Town and Johannesburg Tests are a part of cricket’s folklore and Mumbai have made the candle of Test cricket even brighter. Such epics are just made once in a generation and I was privileged to witness an epic. The Mumbai Test was supposed to signature Tendulkar’s 100th international 100 but it’s now a part of cricket’s unique family, the drawn-tied Test match. It’s even greater than an individual’s personal landmark.

And the Test matches in Cape Town and Johannesburg? It was overall a thrilling-ride. The global audience experienced nerve-wrecking moments and rediscovered the true beauty and charm of Test cricket which a Twenty20 match can never gift.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar

Peter Roebuck - Rest in peace

This morning I came to know the sad demise of Peter Roebuck. I was taken aback for a while and when I gained all my attentions I had to realize that a person who has made us many fall in love with the words to fall in love with the game has left this beautiful earth. Peter Roebuck is no more in this world to charm us with his intellectual and beautiful writings on cricket.

Roebuck started his career as a cricketer but it seemed that he was born to write on cricket’ beautiful and critical insights.

Live telecast at present speaks a thousand words about cricket, but, words too, have an ability to paint pictures in a wondrous collaboration of the writer’s craft and imagination. And in modern day cricket literature, Peter Roebuck was among the best to paint the pictures in the finest manner to catch the imagination of a reader.

TV has taken the charm and beauty of cricket literature but still men like Peter Roebuck’s fine and astonishing ability to graft words in the most beautiful way has made cricket literature survive the onslaught of TV.

According to Sambit Bal, "TV has had an influence on the way the game is written about. Perspective has replaced description; perspective has replaced description. Instead of recreating the day’s play, writers are continuously challenged to make sense of what happened. From expansive and expressive, the accent has turned to thoughtful and interrogative, and in the quest of the broad pictures the writers sometimes overlook the small endearing moments".

But Roebuck seemed not be affected by this. He was never to miss those small endearing moments, but used to describe them in a rather thoughtful and interesting way. He had been the ideal combination of Lara’s graceful aggression and Tendulkar’s class in the field of modern day cricket literature; beautiful words mixed with graceful aggression, never stepped back to paint the truth with beautiful words.

Cricket has lost a word artist. Cricket will miss his words’ beauty, his knowledge and his thoughts on the game.

Rest in peace sir!

Thank You

Faisal Caesar

South Africa v Australia - Were the Australian and South African batsmen mentally cluttered?

It was just an unforgettable day of Test cricket. History was created on 11/11/11 when 23 wickets fell for just 294 runs and both teams batted twice in a day, a feat that has occurred only twice in the previous 2015 Tests. Both the  Australian and South African batsmen were found wanting. 

The Cape Town track did have the ingredients for the pace bowlers, but I don’t think that there were demons underneath the pitch to pose a threat against the likes of Graeme Smith, Hashim Amla, Jac Kallis or Michael Clarke. But surprisingly, the batters of both teams exhibited some abject batting display. Were the batsmen mentally cluttered? Otherwise, how can such a madcap day be scripted? 

Thank You

Faisal Caesar

South Africa v Australia - Michael Clarke, way to go!

Well, what a hundred it was from Michael Clarke! It had all the ingredients of a champion and of course, such sort of hundreds are so rare these days. At present, we witness batsmen only to score  hundreds only on placid tracks rather than the pace-bowling friendlier ones. In my opinion, scoring hundreds on batting friendly pitches is too dull and less-manly. Come on mate, be man! Just go out there, face the chin music, feel the heat and then, score a hundred.

Surely, Michael Clarke was the man in Cape Town on the first day. The track was hostile for the batters and the attack was venomous. It demanded enough character from a batsman and Clarke proved his worth not only as a batsman, but the perfect choice as the Australian skipper.

Australia were reeling at 40 for 3 when Clarke entered into the scene. Immediately, his mental-strength was tested by a red-hot Dale Steyn. Clarke decided to take on the attack to Steyn and co and went for a counter-attack. On such a testing pitch, it’s not an easy task to have a go at bowlers like Steyn and Morkel; but Clarke was not to care about reputations like Allan Border, Steve Waugh and Mark Taylor. He was in mood to dominate the proceedings and he did it in a commanding manner.   

He saw his partners depart cheaply, but still he continued to play with impunity. There was no fear of the situation. His stroke-play and astute footwork was a matter of joy for me. The drives were powerful but that had an element of crisp timing and his footwork was simply immaculate. The Australian captain could not do anything wrong on that day. It was a hundred to remember for cricket fans like who relishes those who are hard nut to crack.

Way to go Michael Clarke! You made my day!

Thank You

Faisal Caesar 

Brendan Taylor - The unsung hero of modern cricket

Brendan Taylor’s name will never be mentioned along with the great cricketers of modern era. He is a shining star but sadly, we are not well aware of his brightness. He possesses all the tributaries of a champion, but still he is not considered as a champion.

Since his introduction to international cricket, Taylor’s advancement has been steadier. And during his younger days he had already proved himself as the life saver for the Zimbabwean team. In August 2006 he smashed 17 runs from the last over of a run chase - including a six to win off the last ball when five were needed - to give Zimbabwe a 2-1 lead in the ODI series against Bangladesh.

Taylor hit the jackpot at Cape Town on September 12, 2007, when his cool and composed 60 not out carried Zimbabwe to an incredible five-wicket win over Australia in the ICC World Twenty20.

While at the crease, Taylor will always be the dominant figure and will dominate the proceedings with immense will-power and guts to blunt the best attacks in the world. His favourite stroke is the full-blooded front foot drive which lacks art but more power, yet his pulls and cuts, especially the uppercuts have always been beneficial for his team.

The political turmoil in Zimbabwe let their Cricket Board to take a break from Test cricket for five years. They could only play the limited-overs cricket and despite the limited opportunities, Taylor has always been productive. He had been the star for Zimbabwe in the recently concluded ICC World Cup for the 50 over format.

Zimbabwe have returned to Test cricket this year and Taylor was being made captain and immediately under his leadership the Zimbabweans made an immediate impact by stunning the Bengal Tigers in both Test and ODI series. Captaincy has galvanized Taylor into a more responsible batsman. The aggression is still there but it’s more controlled and well measured. At the start of his career his foot-work wasn’t astute but in course of time he has made it even better.

 Against Bangladesh in the Test match, he scored a 71 and 105 not out. His bat failed against the Bangladeshi new ball bowlers, except a hundred in the fourth ODI for a losing cause and was short worked by Saeed Ajmal in the Test series, but in the ODI series against Pakistan, his inspiring 84 in the first ODI almost took Zimbabwe in the brink of victory but fell short by just five runs, in the second ODI, again he scored a fifty. But the Pakistanis proved too strong and thus won the ODI and Test match with the rubber remaining un-stretched.

Against New Zealand, Brendan Taylor had been astonishing. In the three-match ODI series against New Zealand this year, Taylor had scored 310 runs at a staggering average of 310.00 with a strike rate of 106.89. In the third ODI at Bulawayo, his aggressive 75 off 65 balls had set the tempo to chase down an impossible 329.

In the one-off Test match against New Zealand, Taylor’s bat again shone with a 50 and 117. His dazzling knock of 117 in the Bulawayo Test match almost helped Zimbabwe to script one of the daring chases in the history of Test cricket. But sadly, history could not be scripted.

Just imagine Brendan Taylor playing for India or Australia! How the response would have been. But he represents a minnow who hardly plays enough cricket to express their abilities in front of the world.

Brendan Taylor is a cricketer who makes a substantive, yet unrecognized contribution; a person whose bravery is unknown or unacknowledged, the unsung hero of modern day cricket.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar

Pakistan v Sri Lanka - Passion has beaten adversity

The stadiums at Karachi, Lahore or Rawalpindi are left empty. There is no festival of cricket in Pakistan as because a sad incident two years back has made Pakistan isolated. Countries don’t travel to Pakistan due security reasons. The passionate fans out there are unable to see their heroes in action and their sadness is hard to express in words.

But, cricket is still breathing in Pakistan.

Pakistan as a nation, over the years, has been kicked in the abdomen, slapped on the face, and tortured mentally. But despite all these pathetic events have failed to dent their passion for cricket.

At Dubai, today, Pakistan have just completed another Test series win by beating the 2011 World Cup runner-ups, Sri Lanka and with this, Misbah’s tremendous run as the captain of Pakistan cricket team is reaching towards new heights. Mishbah is yet to lose a Test series as captain.

Controversies kept on haunting Pakistan cricket again and again but still, they have been able to conquer all the adversities in style. They are not lucky enough to play on their own home soil, they don’t have a powerful board to support them or their financial status is not like their neighbours. But still their cricketing achievements have been better than many other countries despite all these awful events.  

It’s all because of their passion for this game and for this passion Pakistan cricket is still alive. The victory at Dubai is another victory of passion against adversity.  

Thank You

Faisal Caesar

Virat Kohli - The choice of the new generation

If you watch his TV commercials, at first sight, you will start thinking that he is a very promising star who is all set to rock the Bollywood. He is confident, stylish, dashing and possesses all the ingredients to stamp his authority in Bollywood.

But he doesn’t rock the silver screen, but takes the world stage upside down with a cricket bat. Yes, he can bat and he uses that piece of wood in the most stylish and destructive manner to leave the world amazed. He's a commanding figure at the crease and his desires aren’t insatiable and his will is not satisfied with ordinary things. For him, the sky is the limit.

India’s one-day batting sensation fulfills the definition of a romantic hero in the cricketing arena. Like his stylish appearance and outlooks, his batting too is a subject of pure romance for the cricket romanticists.

The drive through the cover by balancing himself on his knees is poetry in motion while his aggressive stroke-play is like a Bollywood action movie – too hot to handle. Virat Kohli, despite his gung-ho attitude, offers a perfect balance in both aggression and cultured cricket – an ideal blend of Shah Ruk and Salman Khan.  

He is just 23 but Kohli has already hit seven one-day hundreds - four of them came while chasing targets. Add his electric fielding to the mix, and Kohli had been the vital cog of this Indian team over the last couple of years. His Test career might not be as gorgeous as his one-day career, but in the course of time it will reach at its peak as the boy has spirit to climb the Everest.

So, the boy not only offers a heroic presence with his style and glamour, but he is one of those guys who lets his bat do the talking. He has the spirit which always presses him to reach towards higher peaks and his and strives over leaps all the joys of earth from pole to pole. Kohli is a cricketer who offers colour and charm to the game.

Virat Kohli is the choice of the new generation.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar

Bangladesh v West Indies - Well done Elias Sunny but be careful!

 Yesterday, a young man named Elias Sunny hailing from Chittagong hit the headlines because of his brilliant bowling exhibition against West Indies. He took seven wickets in the Test match and a six-wicket haul in the first innings on debut.

Elias had bowled well and tested the Caribbean batters with his flight and accuracy and he is not one of those Bangladeshi cricketers who have earned his Test cap without playing domestic cricket in an appropriate manner. He has made his Test debut at the age of twenty five and for a Bangladeshi cricketer to make his debut at this age is quite surprising as the Bangladesh Cricket Board is habituated to gift Test caps cheaply.

But in case of Elias Sunny, it has been pretty different. He has earned his Test cap after proving himself well in the domestic circuit. It took Sunny seven years to play for Bangladesh and the way he bowled in Chittagong hinted that how spending enough time in domestic cricket can install professionalism in a cricketer.

The reason for this professional attitude has been the reward of watching the ups and downs in the domestic cricket where Sunny has spent almost nine years. It was in that domestic cricket, Elias Sunny, the smiling and charming Chittagong lad, has learned how to deal with failures and conquer adversities.

Another left arm spin bowler has emerged from Bangladesh and along with Shakib, Razzak and co, it is expected that, Sunny’s name will be heard regularly in the days to come.

But the question is, how long Sunny would last? I mean, even in the past we have seen the demise of Enamul Haque junior and many other promising players. The way the media and fans are euphoric about Sunny, it simply triggers fear in my heart as because, our over-hyped attitudes give birth to stars in no time and it affects those players badly. Suddenly, they lose their way and get vanished.

The media and fans need to understand the difference between encouragement and over-hype. Over-hype creates sudden-stars only to script premature ends. So, the media and fans must be sensible enough while Elias Sunny needs to keep his feet on the ground. 

Thank You

Faisal Caesar    

Pakistan v Sri Lanka - I am missing Lasith Malinga in Test cricket

The Abu Dhabi track was placid and in the age of Twenty20 you don’t expect a team to bat defensively like the 70s and 80s when the tracks were favourable for the bowlers and batting was highly challenging. Both Pakistan and Sri Lanka have some very good stroke makers in the team and on such a benign track, I was expecting those batsmen to cash in big time.

But surprisingly, Sri Lanka’s batting was quite defensive and later, Pakistan also batted like the visitors. The good thing about Pakistan batting was that they didn’t panic like the Lankans and essayed an un-Pakistani style of batting display – less exciting to trigger somnolence.

When the Sri Lankan Lankan batsmen adopted a drop-the-anchor-down ploy, Pakistani paces – Aizaz Cheema and Nunaid Khan had dished high profile bowling to dent the Lankan’s resistance. In contrast, the Lankan bowling seemed toothless to challenge the Pakistani batters and without a doubt they were missing Lasith Malinga.

Such dead tracks are helpful for the exponents of reverse swing and yorkers and in modern day cricket who can utilize them better than Malinga!  

Malinga would have been able to test the Pakistani batting line-up and gift us some exciting moments. But sadly the slinger is not playing in Abu Dhabi. The cricketing world will not watch him in white kits anymore. 

Malinga had picked up a knee injury in 2007 during the tour to Australia. That injury threatened to cut short his cricketing career and to prolong his career, Maling only concentrated in playing the limited-overs cricket till 2010. He did feature in Test cricket against India last year, but after playing the first two Test matches, his knee problems showed up again and thus, he didn’t appear in the final Test match. In April 2011, he decided to quit Test cricket. His knee problems will not allow him to play Test cricket anymore.  

This has been a great loss for Test cricket. Charismatic bowlers like Malinga always make Test cricket more exciting and in an ear when such charismatic bowlers are lacking in Test cricket, the absence of Malinga simply kills the joy.

Personally, I am missing Lasith Malinga a lot in Test cricket.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar

Bangladesh cricket - Bangladesh batsmen have to learn the importance of mental routine

For some time now, batting has been the main cause of concern for Bangladesh as more of than not they tend to throw their wickets away by indulging in reckless strokes. This has led to the team suffering heavy defeats.

The Bangladesh batsmen have had sound coaching, but their failing can largely be attributed to lack of mental strength. At the highest level of the game, its temperament that divides wheat from the chaff.

Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara’s mental make-up is exemplary. And that has been a huge contributing factor to their greatness. They follow a mental routine against all bowlers.

What is this mental routine?

According to Greg Chappell, mental routine comprises of awareness, fine focus and fierce focus

Awareness as Greg Chappell says, is the state of mind in which a batsman is well aware of what is happening around him, but he is not acutely focused on any one thing. It is used while waiting to go into bat, between balls and between overs.

Fine focus is the state of mind that comes after being aware of the situation and at this stage a batsman gets focused when a bowler is at the top of his bowling mark. At this point a batsman will move his focus to the bowler’s face and which gives the batsman an insight into the bowler’s emotional state and, via his peripheral vision, about the body language of the bowler.

As a bowler reaches his delivery point, the batsman mind shifts to fierce focus by narrowing his visual field and devoting his attention to the point from which the ball will be delivered and when the bowler will deliver the ball the batsman’s focus will only be on the bowler’s hand and the ball leaving it.

This is the combination that is needed to build long innings and script epic knocks. Only in the very rarest of occasions this combination is found amongst Bangladeshi batsmen. And unless, the Bangladesh batsmen come to grips with this all-important aspect, they will continue to flounder at the highest level of the game.

This article has been published in Cricket Country as fan post on 18/10/2011 http://www.cricketcountry.com/cricket-fan/posts/Bangladesh-batsmen-have-to-learn-the-importance-of-mental-routine-/post-2328/comments/page/1

Thank You

Faisal Caesar 

Bangladesh v West Indies - The Tigers have taken the revenge!

 It was a matter of great disgrace when the Tigers were bundled out for just 58 at Mirpur against West Indies during the World Cup. The passionate fans of Bangladesh cricket were shell-shocked and annoyed. That dismal show by the Bangladesh cricket team was an absolute national disaster.

In the next encounter against England, the Tigers did notch up a nail-biting win, but that shoddy performance against West Indies continued to haunt each and every Bangladeshi cricket fans and the team as well. The Tigers and its ardent followers wanted to humiliate the Caribbean in the same manner.

And the Tigers did take the revenge.

The Bangladeshi bowlers who looked dull in the first two one-day internationals, suddenly rediscovered their mojo and in the twinkle of an eye, the inform West Indian batting was blown away.

At 33 for 1, the West Indies looked composed enough. But suddenly, the golden boy of Bangladesh cricket, Shakib Al Hasan transformed into a monster and devoured the West Indian batsmen. He went on to cut through the lower order, finishing with figures of 4 for 16 as he ended the innings in the 22nd over.

The joy among the fans is enormous. They are happy as their team has been able to humiliate the Caribbean in the same manner like World Cup.

Though its sad to lose the ODI series, but this victory is suppose to boost the Tigers’ confidence. But at the moment, the nation is happy as because the revenge has been taken.  

Thank You

Faisal Caesar

Bangladesh cricket - It's time to show faith in Alok Kapali

Alok Kapali, who has been in the wilderness since his return from the Indian Cricket League (ICL), has been included for the T20 and ODI series against the West Indies.

The erratic but talented leg-spinner-cum-batsman’s potential is unquestionable. Since his debut against Sri Lanka in 2002, he has impressed everyone with his immense talent. That series against Sri Lanka had been disappointing for Bangladesh, but the one positive for Bangladesh was Kapali's technique and temperament. He started batting at No 5 five or No 6 for Bangladesh and was quite bold against the fast bowlers. He has been instrumental in scoring quick runs or playing as the sheet anchor role.

Not a huge turner of the ball, Kapli is more of a stock bowler. He is still the only Bangladesh bowler to snatch a Test hat-trick.

Kapali was slapped a 10-year ban for participating in the ICL. But he quit ICL after one season and made himself available for selection again and started performing well in domestic cricket. But the selectors were unfair to him as they overlooked his impressive showing while selecting players like Raqibul Islam and Mohammad Ashraful. Unlike Kapali, Ashraful's talent has not translated into compelling performances.

The question now is: Will Kapali get picked in the first XI?

Ashraful still might be the selectors’ first choice in the middle-order but I would back Kapali instead of Ashraful to bat at No 4 in limited-over against West Indies.

Kapali’s temperament is better than Ashraful. The West Indies are not good players of leg-spin and this is where Kapali’s worth is enhanced.

Hopefully, Kapali will deliver the goods for Bangladesh and cement his place in the side.

Note: This article has been published on Cricket Country as fan post on 06/10/2011 http://www.cricketcountry.com/cricket-fan/posts/It-s-time-to-show-faith-in-Alok-Kapali/post-2247/comments/page/1

Thank You

Faisal Caesar

Bangladesh v West Indies - Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal can give favourites WI anxious moments

West Indies will be touring Bangladesh after almost nine years. The last time they visited the country in 2002, they blew the home team away. But two years back in the Caribbean Islands, Bangladesh beat West Indies in both Test and ODIs. Shakib Al Hasan led Bangladesh from the front and the rest of the team responded to their captain’s dynamism. Following the swirl of recent controversies, Shakib has been sacked as captain, making way for young Mushfiqur Rahim.

The combination of a poor Test record, off-field chaos and dismal performances in recent times makes Bangladesh the clear underdogs against the Windies.

West Indies, on the other hand, scored a shock win over England recently in a T20 game at The Oval. That would do them a world of good as the Englishmen were still on a high after annihilating India in all forms of cricket.

The Bangladeshi batting poses concern. It’s dependent heavily on Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan. Bowling is the main strength of Bangladesh, led by Shakib. The man has gone through a lot of hurt and humiliation and he may just give expression to that anger by compelling on-field performances — both, with bat and the ball. Over the years Shakib’s bowling has proved critical in taking crucial wickets. His arm ball is lethal even to the very best in the business.

It will be interesting to see how Mushfiqur, the new captain, uses Shakib. It will be to his credit and Bangladesh’s advantage if Mushfiqur seeks the rich experience of Shakib in setting fields and plotting strategies. Shakib bowling in tandem with Rubel Hossain will test the Windies batsmen.

I’m hoping that Shahriar Nafees is retained in the team. I’m also hopeful that young Shuvagata Hom is given a chance, instead of wasting more time on Mohammad Ashraful. Hom deserves a place and so far has proved his worth.

It’s not going to be easy for Mushfiqur Rahim, who has to deliver as both as a captain and player to shut up the trenchant critics.

Yes, the West Indies will start favourites, but in Shakib and Tamim Bangladesh have two proven performers who can rattle the visitors.

Note: This article has been published on Cricket Country on 28/09/2011 http://www.cricketcountry.com/articles/shakib-al-hasan-tamim-iqbal-can-give-favourites-wi-anxious-moments-6005

Thank You

Faisal Caesar 

Under Pataudi, India developed the courage to dream

Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi was ahead of his teammates in terms of thought and skills. The Indian team of his times had a defensive mindset, but Pataudi played a pioneering role in helping the team shed the self-defeating thinking.

His batting had the dash of modern day flair. It stood opposed to the conventional school that did not believe in lifting the ball over the in-field. In the Test series against Ted Dexter’s England in 1961, Pataudi used the tactics productively and profitably to score 103 in 155 minutes as India easily won their second successive Test victory and their first Test series win against England.

Tiger’s batting was unorthodox which did not win the approval of the purists. But it inspired his team which wasn’t used to exhibit the daring skills of cricket. Patuadi’s batting pulled in the crowds.

As a fielder he was electric like Mohammad Azharuddin, Yuvraj Singh and Mohamamd Kaif in the years to come. Subcontinental sides at that point of time did not take fielding seriously as it wasn’t considered that important. But Tiger’s brilliant fielding made his team realise that like batting and bowling, fielding is equally important.

But more than his charismatic batting and quicksilver fielding it had been his captaincy that has made him a part of Indian cricket’s folklore. He was a game changer. To a nation which believed that a draw was equivalent to a victory, he engineered refreshing victories. His captaincy was daring and unpredictable. Pataudi’s India were infuriating, but never boring. Under Pataudi, India developed the courage to dream and under him India never lost hope.

Pataudi could have been an ornament to modern day cricket. His batting would have suited the overs-limit format; his majestic fielding would have been invaluable bonus. And his daring captaincy would have been a nightmare for oppositions.

He belonged to the rare breed like a Sir Don Bradman, Sir Gary Sobers and the 3Ws who could fit into any generation, in any format of the game.

RIP, Tiger.

This article was published in Cricket Country on 23/09/2014 http://www.cricketcountry.com/cricket-fan/posts/Under-Pataudi-India-developed-the-courage-to-dream/post-2170/comments/page/1

Thank You

Faisal Caesar 

Sri Lanka v Australia - Clarke’s Australian side looks good to topple England from No 1 slot

 After a disastrous Ashes campaign and a frustrating World Cup, the Michael Clarke-led Australian team landed in Sri Lanka as underdogs. Few had expected them to do well on the turning tracks of Sri Lanka against quality spinners. But the visitors overcame 18 long months of frustration by winning the Warne-Muralitharan Trophy – the symbol of Test series supremacy between the two nations.

What made the Aussies conquer Sri Lanka both in the ODIs and Test series was their discipline, determination and patience. The Australian batsmen didn’t try anything beyond their abilities and remained patient while facing the guile and venom of the Lankan spin attack.

The Aussie batting was led by Michael Hussey, whose exemplary patience against the spinners was a huge inspiration to the team. In many ways, the veteran played a mentoring role for the likes of Shaun Marsh. Hussey anchored the Australian batting, but accelerated when the situation demanded.

The likes of Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene and Tillakaratne Dilshan make the Sri Lankan batting a formidable one. And in the absence of world class bowlers like Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne, there were doubts about the Australia attack’s ability to overcome the strong Lankan batting on their home soil. Mitchell Johnson blows hot and cold, Shane Watson is now known more for his batting than bowling. But at Galle, the result of a disciplined bowling crushed the Lankan batting line up. Nathan Lyon, the young off-spinner, didn’t get carried away with the turn on the pitch and concentrated on line and length – mostly important on tracks turning square. The fast bowlers, on the other hand, pitched the ball up with a nagging line and length using the late reverse swing effectively to script victory. The Australian fielding was world class for the first time in several years.

Like Allan Border, Clarke took over the captaincy at a point when Australian cricket is in the dumps following the Ashes defeat, World Cup loss and an assortment of controversial selection issues. Clarke did not have the kind of resources Steve Waugh or Ricky Ponting had, Yet, Clarke showed enough character and mental strength to make the team play as a unit. He was positive from the word go. One never felt at any moment he was trying to settle in for a draw in the Test matches. Clarke’s captaincy had been refreshingly attacking throughout the Test series.

This Australian team, dubbed underdogs before the start of the series, completely outplayed Sri Lanka in the Test series. The margin could have been 2-0 had weather not interfered at Kandy.

This Australian team has hunger. Their bowlers hunt with discipline. Their batsmen show character in adversity. More importantly, this Australian team has a skipper who leads from the front with astute captaincy and brilliant batting.

England might enjoy the top spot in the Test ranking, but their reign looks likely to be challenged by this tough Australian side. The Aussies might lack the aura of invincibility of the last decade, but they are being blessed with enough character and enthusiasm to script another golden era in the history of Australian cricket. It’s a side that looks eminently capable of regaining their No 1 Test spot. 

Note: This article has been published on Cricket Country on 22/09/2011 http://www.cricketcountry.com/articles/clarke-s-australian-side-looks-good-to-topple-england-from-no-1-slot-5755

Thank You

Faisal Caesar

Pakistan cricket team is dull without Shahid Afridi

In Zimbabwe the men in green are rocking. They are tormenting the Zimbabweans big time. As the Pakistani boys celebrated fall of each Zimbabwe wicket, I felt that something was missing from this team – a romantic aggression which was provided by the Pathan Shahid Khan Afridi.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is very unromantic. They give more importance to their whims rather than allowing wild romance to grace on the cricket field. Cricket is more beautiful when it is blessed with a romantic hero. They add the fragrance of a rose in the team and when that hero is a crazy genius then not only the team but cricket itself comes livelier.

What is cricket without a romantic hero? It’s dull! It’s boring!

 Afridi is cricket’s crazy romantic hero. He simply installs life in this Pakistan team. Be it with the bat or with the ball, Shahid Afridi’s presence is a joy to watch. He simply attracts crowd with his dynamism and for which he is always the crowd’s favourite.     

This Pakistan team is filled with so many dull characters. They are unable to trigger excitement and wild beauty. As because they are not Afridi. I am missing charisma in this Pakistan team as Shahid Afridi is absent.

Come on PCB! Don’t be so unromantic! Bring back Shahid Afridi! This Pakistan team is so dull without him!

Thank You

Faisal Caesar

Shakib Al Hasan’s axing as Bangladesh captain most unfortunate

As Dhaka gears up for the spectacular presence of Lionel Messi in the Argentina-Nigeria clash, comes the news of Shakib Al Hasan’s axing as captain of Bangladesh. The vice-captain, Tamim Iqbal, also loses his leadership role.

Shakib’s removal has everything to do with his arrogant off-field behaviour in recent times. On the field, he has always been dynamic. He took over as captaincy when Mashrafe Mortaza was sidelined by injury in the West Indies-New Zealand game. And since then he had been the undisputed leader, raising Bangladesh’s stocks internationally while emerging as an icon figure in Bangladesh cricket.

The recent series against Zimbabwe was abysmal and Shakib’s captaincy was not at its best. What made it worst for him was his arrogant off-field behaviour.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) should have resorted to correcting Shaikb’s arrogance than axe him from the captaincy. The BCB should have factored Shakib’s age. It’s not unnatural for a 24-year-old to allow name, fame, money and success to get into his head. But a sound mentoring system could have helped the young man who has much to offer Bangladesh cricket. Instead, the rash decision by the BCB must have sown the seeds of discord between the talented Shaikb and the board that may have long-term damage.

A team whose average age is around 20-25 needs guidance of a person or a team who will teach the youngsters of how to handle fame and exhibit the right attitude on and off the field. If the board thinks that they might not find the perfect person to run this monitoring system in Bangladesh, then they could seek help from Australia, England or South Africa.

Team India is going through the biggest horrors since their 1999-00 tour Down Under. The team landed in England as the World Cup champions and the best Test side in the world. But after a 0-4 whitewash, the Indians are down in the dumps. Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, out of form with the bat and behind the stumps, is a far cry from the leader the world knows as “Captain Cool”.

But will the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) sack Dhoni as captain? One can almost say with a degree of certainty that they won’t. Dhoni is the best captain for India and the BCCI knows he will turn around things soon.

Like Dhoni, Shakib is the best choice as the captain for Bangladesh. For the last two years Shakib has gelled well with the team and surely he knows the pros and cons of captaincy very well. He is a natural leader and has all the qualities of a leader who has a lot to offer in the future.

Off-field behaviour must not be the criteria to axe a captain. An open talk with Shakib by the board chief and the selection committee could have sort out all the problems. But, sadly, that was not to be.

Mushfiqur Rahim could take over from Shakib. But it’s a pity that the man most qualified to lead Bangladesh won’t be there at the helm.

Note: This article has been published in Cricket Country on 06/09/2011http://www.cricketcountry.com/articles/shakib-al-hasan-s-axing-as-bangladesh-captain-most-unfortunate-5267

Thank You

Faisal Caesar

Bangladesh soccer - An open letter to Kazi Salahuddin

Sir,

Cricket might be the premium sports at the moment in Bangladesh, but we are well aware of the fact that once upon a time, in our country, soccer used to rule the rooster. Various soccer tournaments used to trigger immense amount of excitement among the Bangladeshis and the jam-packed stadium was a symbol of Bangladesh’s interest about soccer.

Sadly, those days are nothing but a sweet memory now. In course of time, the sky high popularity of Bangladesh soccer has faded away and at present, cricket is the darling of the people of Bangladesh. Lack of proper management capabilities, inappropriate branding of our soccer and time and again pathetic results have led to the downfall of our soccer.

Even our cricket team’s results are not something praiseworthy but cricket has served as a fantastic medium to advertise Bangladesh in abroad – many people in abroad know Bangladesh because of our cricket team and because of gaining the coveted Test status our cricket have been able to attract the sponsors whereas, so far, the story of our soccer has been pathetic.

But I can’t say that the passion for soccer has ebbed away from Bangladesh yet. Young generation is extremely interested about soccer and they keep themselves updated about international soccer. Moreover, through Facebook, we come to know that our young generation is very much updated about our local soccer as well. But they are unable to quench their thirst as because our Soccer Leagues are very much irregular and gets a poor media coverage.       

But sir, after you took over as the role of Bangladesh Football Federation President, the football followers of Bangladesh have started to dream big. They believe that you will rekindle Bangladesh soccer’s glorious past.

Inviting Argentina and Nigeria to play in Bangladesh has been a very encouraging move by you and we people salute you for this. Such a move will give Bangladesh soccer a big boost.

Your move has made the soccer followers of Bangladesh very happy, especially the Argentine followers. But sir, what about the Brazilian supporters of Bangladesh?

You know very well that in Bangladesh, majority of the soccer followers are either Brazil or Argentina supporters. Being a die hard follower of the Selecao, I wholeheartedly welcome the Argentina soccer team, but in the deepest corners of my heart there is a wish – the wish to see the Samba Boys in action at Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka.

Sir, if Messi and his men can be invited here then why not Neymar and co? There are plenty of Brazilain supporters in Bangladesh who are very much eager to see their favourite Brazilian players in Dhaka.

I hope sir, one day; you will invite the Selecao in Dhaka as well. It’s a request from the Selecao fans.

Yours truly,

Faisal Caesar

A Bangladeshi and die hard fan of Selecao