ICC World Cup 2015 - Why Bangladesh lost to Sri Lanka

Both Bangladesh and Sri Lanka met in Melbourne with just one win under their belt and it came against the same opposition. While the Lankans survived the Afghanistan scare, Bangladesh beat them comprehensively. Then, the Tigers shared one point with Australia and that lucky escape was supposed to boost their confidence a lot. But sadly, it triggered complacency among the Tigers.

From the word go, Bangladesh looked lackluster. It is hard to imagine how a team can be so reluctant after putting up a spirited display just a week back!

Pathetic fielding display by the Tigers

It is a well known fact that catches win matches and in important encounters, it is always a crime to waste the opportunities. A good fielding unit lifts the spirit of the bowlers and helps them to perform better. Sloppy fielders always contribute to the downfall of a team.

Had Anamul Haque not dropped a dolly at slip in the very first over, Bangladesh’s story might not have been such a sorry tale. That dropped catch dented Bangladesh’s spirit from which they never really recovered. Kumar Sangakkara was dropped on 23 and 60; Mushfiqur Rahim missed the stumping of Lahiru Thirimane and Tillakaratne Dilshan was saved from being run out as Anamul’s throw failed to fetch any results due to the lack of a back-up.

Dilshan and Sangakkara flourished more and more and went on to score hundreds which could never have been possible if those chances were utilized. Sri Lanka went on to post a mammoth total.

Mashrafe Mortaza’s captaincy lacked intent

Mashrafe Mortaza’s captaincy lacked intent while Bangladesh were fielding. He never really tried to make things happen, but waited for the things to happen. Yes, sloppy fielding did make Bangladesh suffer, but when the chips are down, a captain must rise to the occasion to lift the confidence of the team. Sadly, at Melbourne, Mashrafe’s captaincy was defensive and a defensive captain can never think of reaping a rich harvest.

Bangladesh’s batting order needed to be shuffled

Bangladesh lost Tamim Iqbal in the first over and as soon as he was dismissed, Mashrafe should have sent Mushfiqur Rahim to bat at number three. Yes, Soumya Sarkar is the choice of the Bangladesh think tank at No. 3, but composure and not counter-attack was needed after Tamim’s dismissal and none could have provided it better than Mushfiq.

Soumya’s adventurous stroke-play was a treat to watch and it helped to accelerate the run rate, but this young lad is still learning the art of composure and lacks the experience of batting at number three in critical situations. In this match, he should have come to bat a bit later where his counter-attacking abilities could have proved handy.

Again, as soon as Mominul was dismissed, Shakib should have been sent to bat with Mushfiq as because both of them are known for stitching productive partnerships. A batting order can be shuffled according to the demand of the situation and over the years, thinking captains have been highly benefited by applying this move.

Bangladesh’s debut at Melbourne was not a happy one. The earlier they realize and learn from their mistakes, the better it is for them. It is very important for them to shrug off complacency and get back their focus.

Note: This article has been published on Sportskeeda on 27/02/2015  ICC World Cup 2015 - Why Bangladesh lost to Sri Lanka

Thank You

Faisal Caesar 

Bangladesh played well against Afghanistan, but there are still areas to improve

Afghanistan’s World Cup debut created plenty of buzz. It has been a great achievement for the war-torn nation. They have conquered adversity to reach this far and their massive presence in Canberra made Bangladesh look like the underdogs. Such a scenario is never chummy for the ardent Bangladesh cricket fan.

Afghanistan’s meteoritic rise in World cricket and their stunning victory against Bangladesh last year at Mirpur during the Asia Cup let many cricket pundits think that the Afghan warriors are all set to hunt the Tigers again and start their World Cup campaign with a bang. But it was not to be. Mashrafe Mortaza and his men might have traveled through the troubled waters for a brief period, but they didn’t let another Mirpur-tragedy to repeat in Canberra.

Bangladesh sapped away all the apprehensions to notch up a clinical win against the newcomers in emphatic fashion. When a team starts the World Cup campaign in such a stupendous fashion, quite a few points do go unnoticed. Bangladesh did have a brilliant day on the field, but there were some points to ponder.

Bangladesh need to find the ideal XI

It was staggering to see that a competent middle-order batsman like Mominul Haque was sent to bat at number eight and play the role of a pinch-hitter. Such a move was pretty useless. Mominul is a middle-order batsman and he must bat high up the order.

But, Soumya Sarkar and Mahmudullah Riyad have established themselves at number three and four positions, respectively and with players like Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim coming to bat at number five and six, it becomes tough to find a place for Mominul.

To include Mominul in the team, Bangladesh might have to sacrifice either Anamul Haque or Soumya Sarkar, which is pretty tough at present.

At number seven or eight someone like Nasir Hossain must be played. Nasir’s presence will certainly give Bangladesh the X-factor and one cannot forget his abilities to dish out instrumental knocks under pressure. The team does become dynamic enough with players like Sabbir Rahman and Nasir Hossain coming in at number seven and eight.

Mashrafe needs to be a bit more attacking as a captain

The Afghanistan batting line up was jolted by the Bangladeshi seamers. Mashrafe Mortaza and Rubel Hossain dismissed three Afghan batsmen for three runs and any captain would love to go for an all out attack. But Mashrafe Mortaza went defensive and allowed the Afghan batsmen to settle down.

When the new ball was posing enough threat, Mashrafe should have placed a third and fourth slip, but he was seen operating with one or at the most, two slip fielders. Again, Mashrafe should have put a fielder at gully position to make things tighter for Afghanistan batsmen in the first ten to fifteen overs. Sadly, Mashrafe was found reluctant to attack.

Such minor things don’t create a headache against inexperienced teams like Afghanistan, but against better teams, they are bound to pose a big threat.

Note: This article has been published in Sportskeeda on 19/02/2015 Bangladesh played well against Afghanistan, but there are still areas to improve

Thank You

Faisal Caesar 

ICC World Cup 2015 - I want another tournament like 1992

I was six or seven years old when I first experienced about the ICC World Cup. In 1987, my World Cup journey started. In those days there was no live coverage of cricket matches. People used to rely on radio commentary.

During the Reliance World Cup 1987, in my home, Boro Abba and Bappi used to follow the All India and Pakistan Radio commentary. All the family members, except my mother, used to sit around the radio and listen to the wonderful commentary of the Indian and Pakistani commentators.

I didn’t understand anything, but participated in everyone’s celebration when a wicket fell or boundaries were hit. Bangladesh Television did telecast the semi-finals and final of that World Cup. The gloomy faces of spectators at Lahore and Mumbai, Gatting’s reverse sweep and Allan Border lifting the trophy are the moments which I still remember. But these moments are not so clear in my memory.

The memories of World Cup 1992 are still fresh in my mind and that was the best World Cup I have ever seen so far. None of the matches were dull and it gifted some of the most epic encounters and unforgettable moments in the history of ICC World Cups. Each team played against each other and they were tested on the difficult tracks of Australia and New Zealand. No teams could a take any matches lightly and that’s how a World Cup should be.  

Both the established and rising superstars played in that tournament and made it a memorable one for the cricket fans – Imran Khan and Sachin Tendulkar, Ian Botham and Brian Lara, Kapil Dev and Inzamam-ul-Haq, Graham Gooch and Allan Donald, Martin Crowe and Curtly Ambrose, Allan Border and Hansie Cronje etc – no such cricketing mega event has gifted me such a thing so far.

The 1992 World Cup was held during the Ramadan and we used to wake up during Sehri time, finished our Sehri and then sat down to watch cricket matches. My late Maternal Grandfather also joined us to watch cricket matches and every member of our family, except my mother, were infected by cricket virus. It was just a cricket festival, which doesn’t happen these days. People don’t know how to celebrate from the heart at present. All are so commercial.

These memories are so sweet.

Another World Cup will start from tomorrow. After 23 years, another World Cup will take place in Australia and New Zealand. I just love watching cricket matches in Australia. They always offer exciting and competitive cricket matches. I hope, this time around, Australia and New Zealand will gift me another World Cup like 1992.

I don’t care about who will win or lose. All I want is the exhibition of top quality cricket where there will be an ideal balance between bat and ball. I want another memorable and thrilling World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. 

Thank You

Faisal Caesar  

10 Iconic game-changing moments in Cricket World Cup history

Had the World Cup final of 1975 at Lord’s been a one-sided affair, I guess, the evolution of this mega event might have been halted. On that eventful day at Lord’s, cricket followers witnessed the dramatic nature of one-day cricket and it all happened due to some game-changing moments.

Over the years, these game-changing moments have enriched the World Cup big time. Some of them had made us cry while some of them had given us enormous amount of joy.

Let us have a look at some of the unforgettable game-changing moments in the history of ICC World Cup:

10. Imran Khan's decision - Pakistan v New Zealand, Semi-final, World Cup 1992

New Zealand posted 262 for 7 in 50 overs against Pakistan in the first semi-final of World Cup 1992. Pakistan’s reply was not satisfactory enough and when Salim Malik was dismissed, they needed 123 more runs in 15 overs. Javed Miandad signalled towards the dressing room to send the left-handed batsman Wasim Akram instead of Inzamam-ul-Haq.

Wasim was a big hitter of the ball and was more experienced than the young Inzamam. Pakistan was in need of a quickfire knock and someone like Wasim Akram would have been the ideal choice.

But, the Pakistan captain Imran Khan sent Inzamam and he didn’t let his captain down. Inzamam played a swashbuckling knock of 60 from just 37 balls. That breezy knock had shifted the balance of the game towards Pakistan. The men in green went on to win the semi-final in style.

9. Craig McDermott's bowling – Australia v India, Group Match, World Cup 1987

India’s first match of the World Cup 1987 was against a young and inexperienced Australian side. Batting first, the Australians posted 270 for 6 in 50 overs. In reply, the Indian team was well poised at 202 for 2 with 70 more runs to get in 15 overs. Kris Srikkanth and a young Navjot Singh Sidhu were in splendid form to ensure India a victory in their opening game of the World Cup.

But the Australian team was a hard nut to crack. Allan Border brought on young Craig McDermott to bowl for a breakthrough. Immediately, McDermott bowled Sidhu and triggered a panic in the Indian batting line-up. Dilip Vengsarkar, Mohammad Azharuddin and Ravi Shastri became the victims of McDermott as six wickets fell for just 54 runs. India lost the match by just one run.

8. Sachin Tendulkar's stumping – India v Sri Lanka, Semi-final, World Cup 1996

Sri Lanka qualified for the World Cup semi-final for the first time in their cricketing history. They opponent were the hot favourites India who possessed a brilliant track record against them on home soil. Batting first, Sri Lanka posted 251 for 9 in 50 overs. Despite losing Navjot Singh earlier, the Indian reply was rollicking. Sachin Tendulkar was mauling the Lankan attack ruthlessly and scripted a partnership of 90 runs for the second-wicket in no time.

Arjuna Ranatunga was searching for a breakthrough and threw the ball to Sanath Jayasuriya in the 23rd over. In the fourth ball of the over, Jayasuriya pitched one outside leg which Tendulkar tried to steer down to fine leg, but the ball hit his thigh pad and went to wicketkeeper Romesh Kaluwitharana. Tendulkar thought that the ball might have passed the keeper and left his crease for a single, but within a second Sachin realized that he was making a big mistake. In the twinkle of an eye, Kalu effected a quick stumping and Tendulkar was dismissed.

That stumping triggered a collapse – 7 wickets fell for just 22 runs. That collapse was too hard to bear for the passionate cricket fans of Kolkata. They responded violently by throwing water bottles on the field and setting fire on the seats. Match referee summoned the players in and later awarded the match to Sri Lanka.

7. Clive Lloyd's decision – West Indies v Pakistan, Semi-final, World Cup 1979

Pakistan and West Indies met each other the semi-final of the second World Cup. On a flat track, batting first, the West Indies posted 293 for six in 60 overs. Pakistan lost Sadiq Mohammad early, but Majid Khan and Zaheer Abbas dished out an inspiring run chase by scripting a partnership of 166 runs for the second-wicket. For the next three hours Clive Lloyd was left to ponder whether his team was short of hundred more runs.

Zaheer and Majid staved off the early threat posed by Roberts and Holding and then opened out a superbly planned assault on the West Indies bowling. Just before tea, these two were cruising in such a carefree manner towards the target that Pakistan looked the likely winners.

During the break, Clive Lloyd realized that the attack was ill-directed at Zaheer and thus, he asked for the line of attack to be switched from off-stump to leg. As the game resumed after the break, Colin Croft followed Lloyd’s advice and proceeded accordingly. Zaheer went for a glance against Croft and was caught behind. Pakistan eventually collapsed to a defeat.

6. Jonty Rhodes – South Africa v Pakistan, Group Match, World Cup 1992

Pakistan’s reply to South Africa’s 211 was steady. All of a sudden, rain visited Brisbane and an asking run rate of 4.9 in 28 overs became 8.5 in 14. As the game resumed, Inzamam-ul-Haq and Imran Khan dished out an assault to dent the Proteas attack – a partnership of 85 runs for the third-wicket came up in quick succession. Pakistan were cruising, especially Inzamam was in ominous form.

Then came the deciding moment.

In the 31st over, Inzamam attempted a single for a leg bye. Imran shouted “No” and while trying to get back to his crease, Inzamam saw Jonty Rhodes sprinting towards the stumps from deep backward point. And then, Jonty – grabbing the ball in his right hand - threw himself at the stumps with his feet off the ground to run out Inzamam in the most spectacular fashion.

The dismissal of Inzamam dented Pakistan’s wonderful momentum and they lost the match by 20 runs and were at risk of getting out of World Cup from the preliminary stages.

5. Mike Gatting's wicket - England v Australia, Final, World Cup 1987

After India and Pakistan’s shocking exit from the World Cup, the organizers thought that the stadium would be half-full if not deserted for the final between England and Australia. But to the surprise of all, almost 100,000 passionate cricket fans went to witness the final.

Australia won the toss and batted first. They posted 253 for 5 in 50 overs. Bill Athey and Mike Gatting scripted a threatening third-wicket partnership of 69 to dent Australia’s hopes. Both of them took calculative risks and ran as much as they could. The game was slipping away from the hands of Allan Border. A quick breakthrough was the need of the hour.

At 135 for 2, Border brought himself to bowl. Gatting faced the first ball from Border with enough circumspection. Then Border pitched one around Gatting’s off-stump who got down his haunches and executed the reverse sweep but edged it and the ball flew in the air. Australia’s wicketkeeper Greg Dyer took a magnificent catch to dismiss Gatting.

That reverse sweep by Gatting proved fatal for England and lost the match by just seven runs.

4. Ian Chappell's run out – Australia v West Indies, Final, World Cup 1975

Lord’s was doused in brilliant sunshine during the first World Cup final. The weather was excellent and the wicket a beauty – easy paced and of even bounce to facilitate stroke-play. Clive Lloyd won the toss and elected to bat first. The West Indies posted 291 for 8 in 60 overs.

In reply, Australia were cruising at 162 for 3 with 21 overs left to play. Ian Chappell and Doug Walters were in total command, but a young West Indian named Viv Richards came into action to change the complexion of the game.

Ian Chappell pushed the ball towards midwicket and ran for a quick single hesitantly as he saw Richards scrambling for the ball. Even though the ball went past Richards, he picked up the ball quickly, swooped, turned and fired it powerfully to Lloyd who ran out Ian. The dismissal of Ian Chappell had jolted the Australian batting line-up and they looked down and out. A gallant last-wicket stand between Lillee and Thomson revived the Australian hopes, but Thomson was run out and West Indies lifted the World Cup.

3. Herschelle Gibbs’s dropped catch - Australia v South Africa, Super Six, World Cup 1999

It was the battle of two heavyweights of world cricket at Headingly. Australia had to beat South Africa to claim a place in the semi-finals. The South Africans were in supreme form throughout that tournament while Australia were a struggling unit.

Batting first, South Africa posted 271 for 7 in 50 overs. Australia’s reply was shaky and at 48 for 3, the Australian captain Steve Waugh walked out to bat.

While batting on 56, Steve slapped a simple catch to Herschelle Gibbs who was fielding at midwicket. Gibbs clutched on, but as he went to hurl the ball skywards in celebration, it slipped from his grasp and fell on the ground. It was perhaps the costliest of miss in the history of ICC World Cup. It was a significant game-changing moment. Steve Waugh went on to score 120 and Australia not only qualified for the semi-finals, but also won the 1999 World Cup.

2. Wasim Akram's over – Pakistan v England, Final, World Cup 1992

Pakistan’s road to Melbourne Cricket Ground for the finals of World Cup 1992 was not a rosy one. After losing to India and South Africa, their further progress in the tournament was under threat. But Imran Khan regrouped his young team and they started to pick themselves up in the right moment.

In the final, Pakistan met England against whom they were humiliated in the preliminary stages. Imran Khan won the toss and elected to bat first. Despite a sluggish start, Pakistan were able to post 249 for 6 on the board. Pakistan’s new ball bowlers – Wasim Akram and Aqib Javed along with leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed had jolted the English batting line up. England were reeling at 69 for 4. But, Allan Lamb and Neil Fairbrother forged a 72-run partnership in 14 overs and revived the English hopes.

Imran Khan decided to throw the ball to Wasim Akram for a breakthrough. In the 35th over, Wasim Akram bowled two of the most unplayable deliveries ever bowled in the history of World Cups. He dismissed Allan lamb and Chris in successive deliveries which simply blew away England’s chances. England never recovered from the havoc created by Akram and Pakistan lifted the trophy for the first time.

1. Kapil Dev's catch – India v West Indies, Final, World Cup 1983

India surpassed all the expectations when they advanced into the finals of the World Cup 1983. In the final, their opposition was the West Indies and during that time they were at the height of their powers. On a bowling friendly track at Lord’s, Clive Lloyd won the toss and invited India to bat first. India only managed to score 183 runs.

Such a total was supposed to be a cake walk for West Indies. Balwinder Singh Sandhu dismissed Gordon Greenidge early, but Desmond Haynes and Viv Richards stabilized the innings. Viv was batting in such a ruthless manner; it seemed that the game would be finished before tea.

But, then came the epic game-changing moment.

Madan Lal, pitched one short outside the off-stump and Viv set himself to clobber it behind midwicket. Viv played the ball a bit early; top-edged it and the ball went high in the air. While the rest of the Indian fielders gave up the hope of catching that, one fielder didn’t.

Kapil Dev, who was fielding at mid-on, began to run towards the ball and took an astonishing catch. Viv was dismissed and that catch completely changed the complexion of the match. West Indies continued to lose wickets at regular intervals and lost the match by 43 runs.

This article has been published in Sportskeeda on 12/02/2015 10 Iconic game-changing moments in Cricket World Cup history

Thank You

Faisal Caesar

ICC World Cup 2015 - Is the house of Bangladesh cricket team at sixes and sevens?

Last week, Bangladesh had played two warm up matches against the Cricket Australia XI. Sadly, the Tigers had lost both the matches and it was not the ideal start for them ahead of the mega event which is due to start from February 14.

When the players, coach and manager should be sitting together to share new ideas and make productive plans for the World Cup, the atmosphere of the Bangladesh cricket team seems to be a bit chaotic – a matter which is not acceptable at all. 

According to a very popular Bangladeshi newspaper Prothom Alo, the house of the Tigers is at sixes and sevens. The relationship between the current coach Chandika Hathurusingha and team’s manager Khaled Mahmud has soared. ( বাংলাদেশ দলে গৃহবিবাদ)

Khaled Mahmud accused Hathurusingha of not accepting his cricketing ideas and even if Mahmud tries to share his views, Hathurusingha is not paying heed to those. Moreover, in many of the team meetings, Mahmud’s presence had been ignored. Such things have annoyed Mahmud.

But Mahmud must realize that, Hathurusingha is a person who loves to work independently. He is a bit of an egoistic in nature doesn’t like others to drag their nose in his plans. Again, it’s the coach and captain and not the manager who are the vital cogs in making plans and later on, implementing them. The job of a manager is something else.

Any manager of a sports team should be a very good diplomat. He should not only be a very good friend, philosopher and guide; but he must be instrumental in maintaining harmony within the team. As a person he should be calm and composed enough and must have the abilities to communicate effectively with the players, coach and media.

But the current manager of the Bangladesh cricket team, Khaled Mahmud seems to be quite different. Rather than being a diplomatic manager, Mahmud is more interested in showcasing his own ego. Over the years, Mahmud’s role as an employee of Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has most often come under scrutiny.

He has been involved in several types of chaotic incidents which had been a bad advertisement for Bangladesh cricket. His chaotic nature has tarnished his image a lot and I am not sure how can such a person be appointed as the manager of Bangladesh cricket team. The Tigers needed a very calm and composed person as a manger.

Mahmud should bear in mind that, Hathurusingha is a very competent coach and has plenty of experience about Australian conditions. If he loves to work in his own way, then Mahmud must not interfere, but he should improve his communication and composure level to gel well with Hathurusingha. In the mean time, Hathurusingha must be cooperative enough as well. A better mutual understanding in between them will make the team beneficial.

Again, Mahmud should not have let the media even guess about such issues let alone expressing it. That’s not the way a professional manager should act and neither should one of the team members had expressed such issues with the media as well. Misunderstandings and ego clashes happen in any team, but things should be sorted out privately. That’s the most sensible way.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar

Brazil football - Ricardo Goulart and Everton Rebeiro fit better in Europe and not in China and Dubai

In 2011, some of world’s most exciting talents had started to emerge from Brazil – Neymar, Ganso, Oscar, Lucas Moura, David Luiz, Pato, Leandro Damiano, Luiz Gustavo and many more and soccer pundits used to predict that, in the course of time Brazil would unleash one of the most feared and spectacular teams of this decade. But sadly, it’s happening and I guess, the presence of some pathetic people in the CBF has been the reason.

From 2010 to 2012, Mano Menezes’ stupid way of handling talents simply dented Brazil’s healthy progress and I firmly believe that instead of Mano, CBF should have appointed someone better who was enough dynamic and creative. But the CBF hardly cares about such things. Still now, I can see the mishandling of Brazilian talents. As a Brazilian fan, it’s very hard for me to accept the wastage of such talents.

Players like Ricardo Goulart and Everton Rebeiro should have been playing top European Leagues. But astonishingly, Goulart will be playing in China while Rebeiro will be playing in the Gulf Leagues. Moreover, Rebeiro’s club Cruzerio had ignored lucrative offers from Manchester United and Monaco.

Why?

Do talents like Goulart and Rebeiro deserve to be in Chinese and Gulf Leagues? Has such a move been taken only for monetary gains? You can certainly expect such cheap moves from a corrupted body like CBF and their stooge Rinaldi. I don’t understand on what basis this Rinaldi has been appointed in such a high profile job in Brazilian football. Why not Zico or Rai instead of him? Is Rinaldi more suitable for them? Perhaps, yes!

And, what about Dunga? How can two of the most talented Brazilians fly for China and Gulf leagues under his nose? “I talked to Dunga and he said no problem. Al-Ahli are known around the world” – Rebeiro’s this statement is simply staggering. At times, Dunga just makes me furious. This is simply unacceptable.

Brazil are mishandling their talents and for which the world of football is unable to witness some of the exciting talents ever. It was expected that by 2018 Brazil would build a team which will essay the aura of invincibility. But how can that happen under the guidance of such pathetic people?

Thank You

Faisal Caesar