Bangladesh are not well known for putting faith in pace
bowlers. For a brief period, Bangladesh’s main weapon have been the left-arm
spinners who would be utilized as early as possible to fetch wickets. More
often, the new ball bowlers would be a formality and as the match progresses,
the existence of the pace bowlers vanished gradually. The wickets are always
prepared in favor of the spinners and for which, the value of pace bowlers in
cricket has always been ignored.
The obsession about the spinners has always been so much
that most of the times, the fans and critics used to forget that Bangladesh
also have pace bowlers who can be useful as well if utilized appropriately. It
took quite a while for the management to realize that quality pacers exist in
this country as well and yes, they can also win matches on flat tracks.
Their team selection in the Test match against India at
Fatullah was mind-boggling. Bangladesh only included a single pace bowler and
more emphasis was given on the spinners. It was a very defensive approach by
the Bangladeshi hierarchy and in cricket, a defensive mindset never fetches a
fruitful result. They were found wanting at Fatullah and it seemed that they
were playing to avoid a defeat rather than secure a victory. Had rain not
interfered, they could have been easily beaten.
The brand
of Cricket they play has changed
Bangladesh earned plenty of harsh criticisms after the
Fatullah Test as because their approach didn’t match the brand of cricket which
they have been playing since the ICC World Cup Down under. At present, they
play an attacking brand of cricket and to dish out such a brand, the
combination of the team must be attacking as well.
In the first one-day international at Mirpur, the team
shunned the defensive mindset and came out all guns blazing to script a win
against a formidable Indian unit. The catalyst behind Bangladesh’s memorable
win has neither been the batters nor the left-arm spinners. But, it was
possible due to some superb exhibition of pace bowling by the young pacers who
were too hot to handle.
On the subcontinental tracks, it is never an easy task to
challenge the might of the Indian batsmen. History suggests that, quality pace
bowling has always tested the Indian batters and even on placid decks they were
found wanting. Keeping in mind this fact, the Tigers included four pace bowlers
in the side and it proved to be a masterstroke.
There were doubts, whether the Bangladeshi pace bowlers had
the fire in their belly to test the Indian batsmen, but as they started to
bowl, those doubts ebbed away in the twinkle of an eye.
From the very first ball, Taskin Ahmed and young Mustafizur
Rahman conveyed the message that it won’t be an easy task for the Indian
batters to chase the total. They bowled with intent and aggression, which was a
treat to watch on the placid track of Mirpur.
Taskin delivered the ball with sheer pace and maintained a
disciplined line and length while Mustafizur made the ball to cut back in and
away, varied his pace and length to fetch five wickets. There was useful
support from Mashrafe and Rubel as well who never released the pressure. For a
moment, the Bangladeshi fans almost forgot the use of spinners which has been a
normal scenario for such a long time.
Things are changing in Bangladesh cricket!
The clinical win at Mirpur has been the result of an
attacking mindset and investing faith in pace bowlers. Quality pacers are one
of the most important ingredients in creating successful teams. Bangladesh
should keep the faith in their pace bowlers more and more.
Note: This article has been published in Sportskeeda on
18/06/2015 Bangladesh's faith in its pace bowlers paid off
Thank You
Faisal Caesar
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