The back-to-back one-day international series victory
against India and Pakistan has helped Bangladesh earn respect throughout the
World cricket and the current team is a very competitive unit. They are capable
of giving any teams a tough test in the limited-overs format and for which, the
expectations were high against South Africa.
But, Bangladesh’s start against South Africa had been
nightmarish. In the first Twenty20 international, they were literally blown away
by the Proteas while, in the second match, they did show signs of improvement,
but the result was the same.
In the first ODI, the Tigers were found wanting again. The
old habit of getting out cheaply by executing rash strokes was evident and
resulted in pathetic display, which created doubts about the temperament of
Bangladesh – whether the Tigers are good enough while playing against
professional teams like South Africa or Australia remained a moot question.
Meeting with the BCB’s president
Bangladesh’s lackluster attitude didn’t get unnoticed from
the President of Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and for which, a day before the
start of the second ODI, he summoned an immediate meeting with the Bangladesh
team. Mr Hassan first talked with the BCB technical committee and this was
followed by a couple of more meetings with the cricketers, ODI and Twenty20
captain Mashrafe Mortaza and head coach Chandika Hathurusingha.
While talking with the cricketers, Nazmul Hassan acted like
a true guardian. He criticized the lackluster attitude of the cricketers and
conveyed encouraging words to boost the morale of the players.
He said to the journalists, “I always try to keep the
players boosted. They have done so well since the World Cup so I do not see a
reason why they cannot put up some competition against South Africa, that too
at our home ground. I just told the players that there is nothing to worry. You
guys have done well, which means you are capable. So, throw away all sorts of
pressure and do your job well”.
He didn’t shy away from discussing the technical aspects of
the game with the players and passed valuable advice to them. As, for example,
Mushfiqur Rahim and Soumya Sarkar were advised to be a bit more responsible
while shot selection. He said, “We just told them that there's nothing to fear,
that they are a good team, but it isn't happening for them now. I told
Mushfiqur that you could have played that shot later. You have a lot of
responsibility. I told Soumya Sarkar that a batsman has a lot more responsibility
after getting set”.
Regarding the meeting with the President Nasir Hossain said,
“Mr. President always gives us courage. It was not a formal meeting. He always
speaks positively to us. He is always with us. When we do badly people will
talk, it is quite normal. He didn't really warn us. He told us to be serious
about our game."
Even Hassan advised the technical committee about the team
selection and expressed his disinterest about selecting eight batsmen. He said,
“If you ask me personally, I do not like playing eight batsmen. It looks very
defensive”.
Then, there is a school thought that Nazmul Hassan
indirectly played a role in the selection of Rubel Hossain who proved to be a
brilliant pick in the second ODI. He said, “The coach wants it one way, the
captain wants it the other way. We heard everyone's version. It could be Rubel
or they could pick a spinner”.
This sudden meeting delayed the practice session of Tigers,
and when Nazmul Hassan was questioned about the importance of such meeting in
the middle of a series he answered, “There are areas which require my caution .
I have warned them. There are some discipline issues, some body language, and
concentration issues as well. I have particularly talked to them about these
things”.
Such an initiative is pretty rare from a Board President,
and for which, Mr. President deserves accolades. But, a section of the press
criticized Nazmul Hassan’s meeting with the players and technical committee,
but they certainly are eating their humble pie after the result.
Thrashing the Proteas
In the second ODI against South Africa, a rejuvenated
Bangladesh was found to dazzle at Mirpur. The pace bowlers bowled with an
aggressive intent while the spinners made the ball talk to leave a strong
Proteas batting line-up clueless. The visitors were booked for a paltry score
and even though, Bangladesh’s start was shaky while chasing, they didn’t panic
and ensured their place in the Champions Trophy.
Soumya Sarkar looked nervy at the start, but as the time
progressed, he realized the value of keeping the ball on the ground and
scripted a fluent 88 and one must not forget the contributions of Mahmudullah
Riyad who provided the perfect foil to Soumya’s controlled aggression.
This victory was needed for the Tigers to prove a point and
how effective and influential Nazmul Hassan’s meeting with the cricketers had
been, it can be understood by the body language of the players. Hassan’s
advices worked as a tonic and it helped Bangladesh to fight with enough vigor.
The team is lucky to have a Board President like him.
Note: This article has been published in Sportskeeda on 13/07/2015 The magnificent turnaround of Bangladesh and Nazmul Hassan's meeting
Thank You
Faisal Caesar
Note: This article has been published in Sportskeeda on 13/07/2015 The magnificent turnaround of Bangladesh and Nazmul Hassan's meeting
Thank You
Faisal Caesar
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