Bangladesh should have prepared themselves by playing active cricket matches

Most of the teams who will participate in the upcoming ICC World Cup in Australia and New Zealand are busy in playing active cricket matches. Australia, England and India are playing a triangular one-day tournament in Australia, Sri Lanka are busy playing against New Zealand in New Zealand, South Africa and West Indies are playing against each other in a five-match one-day series in South Africa, while Pakistan will fly to New Zealand for a two-match one-day international. 

Meanwhile, the Associate teams of this World Cup – Ireland, Scotland and Afghanistan – have already participated in a triangular tournament in Dubai recently.

So, except Bangladesh and Zimbabwe, the rest of the teams are preparing for the World Cup by playing active cricket matches. The Tigers are more concerned about preparing themselves via net practice, routine warm-ups and coaching drills.

But, wouldn’t playing active cricket matches have been a better idea?

No preparation for Australian conditions

Bangladesh were likely to play a preparation tournament organized by the ICC before the 2015 World Cup, along with Zimbabwe and the four Associate qualifiers - Afghanistan, Ireland, Scotland and the UAE - in January in Dubai. Sadly, except Zimbabwe and Bangladesh, the rest of the mentioned teams participated in that proposed tournament which just concluded last week.

It’s not known why Bangladesh didn’t take part in that tournament. Even Zimbabwe Cricket had offered Bangladesh a one-day series in January, but the BCB did not approve it.

Anyhow, participating in that tournament would have been highly beneficial for the Tigers as they could have tried and tested the selected players. Moreover, it would have been a great opportunity to take a psychological advantage over Afghanistan and Scotland before meeting them in the main event. 

Also, the idea of traveling downunder so late is also not understandable. Bangladesh should have travelled a bit earlier, and played against the domestic teams of Australia and New Zealand. Such an initiative would have been helpful in selecting the ideal playing XI, sorting out the shortcomings and act accordingly and above all, the boys would have been able to adapt themselves with the conditions.

But sadly, no such initiatives were taken by the Bangladesh cricket hierarchy. They preferred training sessions.

Note: This article has been published in Sportskeeda on 23/01/2015 Bangladesh should have prepared themselves by playing active cricket matches

Thank You

Faisal Caesar

Bangladesh cricket - About the back lift of our batsmen

In the Bangladesh cricket team, except Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim, no other batsmen’s back lift is perfect. While batting, Shakib’s head remains absolutely still, front forearm almost parallel to the ground with wrist positioned higher than the elbow and left hand being higher than the right. His top hand controls the back lift well and he picks the bat up in line of the wickets. Mushfiq back lift is also the same.

Again, both Mushfiq and Shakib have a high back lift which is very important to execute the back-foot strokes in Australia. So, I hope that these two cricketers will be able to score fetch runs with authority downunder if they utilize their footwork and defence efficiently.

But in case of the other Bangladeshi batsmen, their back lift is not perfect. Most of their bat comes from either the second or third slip or gully and for which they are habituated to play across the line and thus, leaving a huge gap between bat and pad.

Our Mahmudullah Riyad and Mominul Haque have a high back lift, but the bat aims towards the second or third slip more often and they don’t allow the wrist to cock naturally to open the face of the bat. I have heard a lot of good words about Soumya Sarker’s back lift and I expect him to do well.

You might ask me about Tamim Iqbal’s back lift. All I can say that, players like Tamim are God gifted. Tamim is an unorthodox talent and relies more on their natural instincts and rhythm rather than technique.

A batsman has to be technically perfect if he wants to score runs in Australia. To fetch runs on bouncy tracks, apart from solid defence and astute footwork, it’s very important to have a correct back lift. As a matter of fact, a batsman’s life at the crease depends on the back lift. You can’t hit the ball perfectly if your back lift is not perfect, especially on bouncy tracks.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar

Wishlist of a Bangladesh cricket fan in 2015

2014 was a dull year for Bangladesh cricket. After ending the year 2013 on a promising note, it was expected that the Tigers would fare even better in 2014. But sadly, for the first nine months, the story of Bangladesh cricket was nothing but shoddy. Both on and off the field, Bangladesh cricket have bitter memories and for the fans it was depressing.

Even though the Tigers were able to get back on the winning track by beating a weak Zimbabwe team, that remarkable achievement can hardly brush away the pathetic memories from a little earlier.

2015 has arrived. A new year always brings new hope and encourages one to start with a new vigor. In this New Year, I wish to state my wishlist of hope regarding Bangladesh cricket.   

A confident Bangladesh unit

Bangladesh started the year 2014 with the home series against Sri Lanka. The expectations were high about the boys but sadly, the series turned out to be a dumb squib. All of a sudden the self-belief of the Tigers started to fall gradually. With the progression of time, it had hit the rock bottom and even teams like Hong Kong and Afghanistan outclassed Bangladesh in a disgraceful manner.

Thankfully, after winning the Test and one-day series against Zimbabwe, Bangladesh were able to regain their lost self-belief and this must not ebb away in 2015. I wish to relish a Bangladesh unit which will be beaming with enormous amount self-belief and confidence. 

A memorable World Cup downunder

The World Cup is knocking at the door and how well prepared the Tigers are remains a moot question. This will be their fourth World Cup and by this time, any ardent follower of Bangladesh cricket would love to see their team lay claim to being one of the favourites. But so far, in mega-events, the story of Bangladesh has been frustrating. 

To dream big about Bangladesh’s chances in the World Cup Down Under does seem funny, but when I think about the enriched talents, I see a light of hope at the end of tunnel. To script a memorable World Cup is tough but not impossible if the talents are utilized properly through appropriate planning.

I wish Bangladesh to perform well in the World Cup, I have had enough of the winning-the-hearts saga.

Better performance in Test cricket

So far, Bangladesh have been Test cricket’s poorest performers. Even after spending fourteen years in Test cricket, Bangladesh still have not come to terms with the intricacies of the longer format. Yes, there have been some encouraging performances, but they are outweighed by the heavy number of dismal displays.

Until and unless Bangladesh start to fare well in Test cricket, they can’t demand respect from the world. Performing well in Test cricket has become necessary for the Tigers and in 2015 I wish them to put up consistent performances in Test cricket.

Controversy free Bangladesh cricket

Off the field Bangladesh cricket fraternity was too noisy last year. Strings of dismal performances on the field and at the same time, cropping up of controversial issues time and again had completely polluted the atmosphere of Bangladesh cricket.

Petty quarrels and ego clashes always hit the headlines more than the on-filed actions. Such things hampered the progress of Bangladesh cricket and for the fans these things were depressing. In 2015, I wish to see a controversy-free Bangladeshi cricket fraternity.

A soundly organized Bangladesh Cricket Board

Yes, my last wish is to witness the organization of a Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) that will show enough maturity and work on the basis of appropriate planning and prove themselves as the cricketers’ ideal guardian.

I wish that the BCB will be dominated by those people who are enlightened by the true spirit of the game and encourage better ideas rather than settling personal scores and focusing more on self benefits.

The wishlist seems a pretty tough one to get fulfilled but there is no harm in wishing the best as because, “If you don't have good dreams, you got nightmares”.

This article has been published in Sportskeeda on 3/01/2015 http://www.sportskeeda.com/slideshow/wishlist-bangladesh-cricket-fan-2015

Thank You

Faisal Caesar