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

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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

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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

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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