Brazil v Paraguay, FIFA World Cup Qualifiers 2018 - Russia, here we come!

In the first three or four months of last year, Brazil’s World Cup Qualifier campaign was in a jeopardy. Carlos Dunga’s pathetic tactics and poor team selection left Brazil in disarray and at one point, it seemed, Brazil might fail to qualify for next year’s World Cup.

Thankfully, CBF realized that Dunga was going to invite disaster and thus sacked him with immediate effect after the Copa America competition in USA last year and appointed Tite. It was a dynamic choice and it didn’t take Tite enough time to bring the Samba Boys back on track.

Brazil started to win matches in style and the evidence of Joga Bonito was seen.

Yesterday, Brazil beat Paraguay – the team against which Dunga’s Brazil were found wanting last year-  comprehensively and confirmed their ticket to Russia.

Brazil’s show was mesmerising. From Philippe Coutinho's first goal to Marcelo’s third goal, Brazil hinted, they are back in business and have no intentions to return to the dark days of Dunga.    

Neymar’s solo goal left me stunned and boy, this guy is alls et to claim himself as the best in the world in the upcoming days.

Brazil’s confirmation for the next year’s World Cup is a matter of celebration, but I shall not celebrate until and unless they win the World Cup in Russia.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar 

Brazil v Uruguay, FIFA World Cup Qualifiers 2018 - Brazil burn Uruguay kingdom to dust

It’s a weekend in Bangladesh and if you are a Brazilian fan, I am sure your Friday would be as glorified as ever. It’s time to sit down, take a wonderful breakfast, switch on some of your favorite music and drink team after breakfast. Life gets a different momentum when Brazil notch up a win and when you watch the Samba Boys to dazzle live at 5:00 am. Then, it’s a different feeling – the so called Brazil fans won’t do such. Only a die hard fan will do such. If you are busy then I am also busy and I bloody don’t miss the matches of Selecao so easily.

Brazil have beaten Uruguay in Uruguay and the man who orchestrated an absolute riot was none other than Paulinho – a player not liked by many and a Tottenham flop few years ago. But under Tite, he has started to prove his doubters wrong.

The first goal was just a screamer as if I was watching the Brazil of Zico and Socrates – pure audacity while the second was an opportunistic one – a Rossi like effort from a box-to-box midfielder. His completion of hat-trick was a perfectly timed run before adding another goal to Brazil’s total.

If you are determined enough and work hard, you can bounce back.

Cavani opened the scoring with a ninth-minute penalty, but as soon as Paulinho came into the scene, the Uruguayan kingdom burned to dust.

Neymar was lively throughout the pitch in the first half and though the pace decreased a bit in the second, the Brazilian sensation was never short of delicate touches, accurate passes and superb skills. This guy is all set to become a legend, but he needs to win the World Cup.

Tite has delivered us another win and I have been saying all the time, he will fulfill our dreams in next year’s World Cup.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar 

Bangladesh's special victory and the month of March

“The struggle this time is for emancipation! The struggle this time is for independence!

Be ready. We cannot afford to lose our momentum. Keep the movement and the struggle alive because if we fall back they will come down hard upon us.

Be disciplined. No nation’s movement can be victorious without discipline”.

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Dhaka on March 7, 1971.

On March 17, 2017, a suicide bomber blew himself up near a temporary camp of the elite Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) police force at Askhona Hajj camp area of Dhaka. Such a horrifying incident took place a day after two militants of JMB group blew themselves up to evade arrest by the Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Crime Unit during a raid in Chittagong’s Shitakunda.

These depressing events were taking place when Bangladesh cricket was celebrating a landmark in Colombo where they were playing their 100th Test match. Moreover, it was a match where Bangladesh needed to prove a point after the dismal show in the first Test at Galle.

The task was never going to be easy as the Sri Lankans are a tough nut to crack in their own den, and against Bangladesh, they boast an impressive record in five-day matches.

While the security team in Bangladesh was busy neutralising the terrorist threats on Friday noon, Shakib Al Hasan and debutante Mosaddek Hossain stood up boldly to face the might of Sri Lankan bowling attack.

Day 2, March 16, 2016

An exhibition of sheer recklessness spoiled a brilliant start to Bangladesh’s first innings. In reply to Sri Lanka’s first innings total of 338, Bangladesh were left reeling at 198 for 5 at stumps.

At one point, the visitors were 95 for 0, but as usual, an ugly collapse cropped up to sow the seeds of frustration and one man received a lot of harsh criticism for his wayward batting display.

Shakib Al Hasan was criticised for his eight-ball 18 not out on day 2 and did not earn him any praise. A lot depended on the ‘arrogant boy’ on day 3, March 17, to change the course of the game in favour of Bangladesh.

Day 3, March 17, 2017

It was the 98th birth anniversary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The hospitals of Bangladesh celebrated the day by opening the outdoor medical services to provide health services to the patients despite a government holiday. Blood donation camps were set-up and the masjids, temples, pagoda and churches offered special prayers for the departed soul of Bangabandhu.

 Meanwhile, at Colombo’s P Sara Oval, Shakib and young Mosaddek decided to pay tribute to Bangladesh’s greatest leader by scripting a partnership of 131 for the sixth-wicket. They decided to remain disciplined – an advice which Bangabandhu gave during his legendary speech on March 7, 1971, at Dhaka.

Shakib was a different batsman altogether on day 3. He curbed his aggressive intent to a great extent and concentrated more on keeping the ball on the ground. He often got back and played the ball as late as possible against Rangana Herath and Sandakan, while at the other end, young Mosaddek did not show any signs of nerves in his first ever Test.

Mosaddek’s footwork and defence impressed many in the commentary box and what made his batting even more special was his composure against the wily and experienced Herath.     

Bangladesh took a lead of 129 in the first innings courtesy of Shakib’s hundred and Mosaddek’s steadiness. Sri Lanka’s response with the bat in the second innings was aggressive.

Day 4, March 18, 2017

The newspapers and social media focused heavily on the suicide bomb attack at Askhona. The people of Bangladesh were gripped by fear and the tragedy of the Gulshan attack of last year, loomed large in the minds of Bangladeshis.

The security of Dhaka was tightened. There were police checkpoints in almost every street of the capital city. The local television channels highlighted the Askhona attack while the expert opinions of the security and political establishment kept the people in the loop about the situation.

They needed some cheer to lift up their mood.

In Sri Lanka, the players took the field after lunch at P Sara Oval. The Lankans were in a very strong position and something special was needed from the visitors to turn the tables around.

Mushfiqur Rahim decided to use the Mustafizur Rahman and Shakib pair in tandem to fetch quick wickets and a dull afternoon burst into life as the Fizz-Shakib pair set jitters in the Sri Lankan batting line up.

Shakib’s bowling was at his best - he flighted the ball well and made it zip from the surface which hardly had anything for the spinners. He created doubts in the minds of the batters with his astonishing control.

At the other end, Mustafizur went around the wicket, pitched the ball full from an acute angle and then moved it away to baffle the Lankan batters. 

Day 5, March 19, 2017 

Near the Walton showroom, which sold electronic gadgets in Mirpur, people had gathered to watch how Bangladesh would fare on the final day. They were confident that their team would be able to notch up a win. But as time passed, the hopes of the Tigers’ fans faded as Suranga Lakmal and Dilruwan Perera frustrated the visitors. Their stubborn resistance helped Sri Lanka to stretch the lead to 190.

Anything around 150-200 would be challenging for the Tigers on a fifth-day wicket, and with a bowler like Herath, it was an uphill task.

Bangladesh lost two wickets just before lunch and all of a sudden, the crowd in front of the electronics showroom, murmured about the return of the ghost of Basin Reserve, Chittagong, and Dhaka, when the Tigers failed to capitalise on their big opportunities.

“This is Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra. I, Major Ziaur Rahman, at the direction of Bango Bondhu Mujibur Rahman, hereby declare that the independent People’s Republic of Bangladesh has been established. At his direction, I have taken command as the temporary head of the republic. In the name of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, I call upon all Bengalis to rise against the attack by the west Pakistani Army. We shall fight to the last to free our motherland. By the grace of Allah, victory is ours. Joy Bangla.”

Major Ziaur Rahman at Kalurghat Radio Station on March 27, 1971

After the massacre of March 25, 1971, Bangabandhu was arrested and kept in prison in a Pakistani jail. The nation needed someone to step up and instill hope. Amid the darkness, a cracking voice emerged on the radio. Major Ziaur Rahman had arrived to give the nation hope and fulfill the dream of independence from West Pakistan.

The Tigers needed such a bold character in the post lunch session and up stepped Tamim Iqbal and Sabbir Rahman, who showed that they could take the initiative when the situation demanded.

Sabbir was outclassed by a well-set trap in the first innings, while Tamim had to pay the price for his poor footwork. But in the second innings, Tamim’s footwork was well organised and his ability to place the ball from the middle of the bat consistently accelerated the scoring rate for Bangladesh.

Sabbir’s confidence grew and he was also not afraid to execute the reverse sweep with courage against the spinners. He kept rotating the strike to keep the fielders busy all the time. Both of them put the Tigers in a strong position to keep the dreams of millions of Bangladeshis back home alive.

 Sabbir and Tamim were dismissed, but this Bangladesh team were in no mood to let go of this incredible opportunity. The nervy moments did not wreck the spirit of Mushfiqur Rahim, who steered the team safely to victory.

Bangladesh made their 100th Test a memorable one and when such a feat is achieved in March, it becomes even more special.

The month of March has a very special significance in the history of Bangladesh. The real battle for independence from West Pakistan commenced on this month, 46 years ago. It was a time when the whole nation united to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

From a cricketing point of view, Bangladesh have achieved astonishing victories in this month. From knocking out England in the ICC World Cup to shocking MS Dhoni’s men in the Asia Cup, to exhibiting character abroad in Tests – the spirit of the Tigers gains momentum in this month.

March is the month of independence for Bangladesh, and during this month, the whole nation always seeks for inspiration. The Tigers have given Bangladeshis hope amid the terrorist attack and instilled faith to face any situation with courage.

Note: This article was published at Sportskeeda on Bangladesh's special victory and the month of March

Thank You

Faisal Caesar 

Bangladesh wasted a very good opportunity

Yet again Bangladesh wasted a very good start and at stumps, it was Sri Lanka who left the field in a joyous mood.

If Dinesh Chamidal was lucky yesterday, then the same can be said about Tamim Iqbal as in the 3^rd and 19^th over of Bangladesh innings, Sri Lanka decide not to review about their appeal for lbw against lbw. The replay showed, had the Lankans taken the review, Tamim would have been in big trouble and left the crease quickly. But, like Chandimal, Tamim did not make his fortune count.

While the Bangladesh opening pair was progressing for a solid foundation, if one notices, he will see, Tamim’s footwork was made to look shaky by the brilliant sense of length and use of the crease of the Sri Lankan bowlers. They were bowling from wide of the crease and brought the ball back into the batsmen by pitching it on middle and off stump to create doubts in the mind of Tamim.

Whenever the ball nipped back in after pitching on the fuller length, in and around middle and off, Tamim was caught at the crease most of the times and the same happened when the ball pitched back of a length.  

After surviving two lucky escapes, in the third time, he was undone as he did not adjust his backward movement to get behind the line of the ball and commit to play the shot late.

Soumya Sarkar relied more on defence rather than using the feet –a ploy which helped him to survive for a while, but not so long as his gap between bat and bad was exposed when he was sucked into the drive by a wrong-un from Sandakan whose flight was such, one needs to get back and then, lean onto the drive relying on correct footwork.

Footwork is very important.

Sandakan produced another wrong-run to Imrul Kayes and I am not sure why he decided to execute the short-arm jab. I expected Imrul to play a composed knock and arrest the collapse. Meanwhile, I didn’t understand why Taijul Islam was sent as a nightwatchman. The result was disastrous.  

The wicket of Sabbir was a well set trap. Sabbir saw that a leg gully was placed and whenever a fielding captain does such, a batsman should be ready for a short-ball from wide off the crease. I am sorry, sabbir fell to the trap to complete a frustrating day for the Tigers.

By the way, was it very important to use the reverse sweep time and again?

Yesterday, I posted, as long as Chandimal will be there, Sri Lanka will always breathe easily. I think I am not wrong as you can see, how he managed his innings by relying on strike rotation and protection of the tail to put Lanka in a very good position.

Even I said, on this track 250-300+ score will be very good and Sri lanka did just that.

Batting will be tough here as the ady progresses and Bangladesh should not have wasted such a good start.

I have nothing to say about Mushfiq’s poor captaincy. 

Thank You

Faisal Caesar 

Remembering Bangladesh cricket's mentor and father figure - Eddie Barlow

The three great elemental sounds in nature are the sound of rain, the sound of wind in a primeval wood and the sound of outer ocean on a beach” – Henry Beston.

When someone asks a Bangladeshi cricket fan their favourite sound, he would most likely choose the sound from the jam-packed cricket stadiums in Mirpur, Chittagong, Khulna and Fatullah.

The roar of the crowd is better than the sound of the monsoon rain, of waves beating the shores at Patenga and Cox’s Bazar or the sweet song of the cuckoo during the time of spring.

Cricket has the power to beat the music of nature and one can sense this if they pay a visit to Bangladesh and witness a cricket match in the stadiums.

Would this sound of the passionate crowd have been possible, if Bangladesh was not awarded the coveted Test status seventeen years ago? Yes, the cricket followers have always existed in this region, but there was no medium to express their passion. Thanks to Saber Hossain Chowdhury’s determination, Syed Ashraful Haque’s keenness and the hard work of his team, earned Bangladesh nine votes in the annual conference of ICC on June 26, 2000 to confirm Test status.

A dream became a reality.

The Bangladesh cricket fans have much to rejoice and they have found a medium to express their passion; the Bangla Tigers fans are regarded as one of the most passionate fans in the world.

The road to Bangladesh’s Test status was not rosy. Bangladesh’s victory in the ICC Trophy in 1997, and two years later, the memorable win against Pakistan at Northampton during the ICC World Cup, provided Saber and Ashraful the ideal reasons to press for Test status.

Bangladesh cricket owes a lot to Gordon Greenidge for the success in the ICC Trophy and the World Cup, but his relationship with the Bangladesh Cricket Board soured and Eddie Barlow entered into the scene.

 It did not take long for Barlow to become one of the most influential figures in Bangladesh cricket. He played a vital role in them achieving Test status and helped materialise Saber Hossain’s dream.

Barlow was a South African cricket legend. As a boy, he looked far from that of a sportsman. His spectacles and stout build earned him the nickname "Bunter". He was so short-sighted that he could hardly see over the front wheel of his bicycle when he rode to school. As time progressed, podginess transformed into muscles and the boy turned into a man.

As a cricketer, he was highly competitive and played with a certain brand of aggression and determination. Had apartheid not existed, Barlow’s career would have been even more glorified. After retiring from cricket, he remained in the sport as a coach.

After the departure of Greenidge in 1999, Saber and the Bangladesh board chose Barlow to groom the Tigers and help them prepare a plan to impress the ICC officials for Test status.

The South African was not just an ordinary coach; he was more of a father figure and friend for the Tigers. He was the first person to give emphasis on the improvement of the domestic structure, as former Bangladesh cricketer and administrator Faruqe Ahmed confirmed later, “To be honest he was the architect behind the change of domestic structure.”

Barlow worked hard day and night with the Bangladeshi cricketers to change their mentality and approach towards the game. He wanted to change the face of Bangladesh cricket and inject the aggressive intent and professionalism so that the Tigers don’t find the going tough after entering into the topsy-turvy world of Test cricket.

“Whatever I have achieved was because of that man. He gave me the mental support when my place in the national team was not even confirmed. I will always remember his words to the selectors that I have learnt afterwards ‘Is Sumi (Eddie use to call Habibul Bashar by that name) in the list for the inaugural Test,” said Habibul Bashar.

 Barlow prepared a ten-year development programme to revamp the domestic cricket and invested his experience to help Bangladesh achieve Test status. While some of the big names remained pessimistic about Bangladesh’s Test status, Barlow always remained optimistic about it and it was evident during the ICC’s annual conference in London.

Md. Shafiqul Haque in his column for Daily Star wrote in November 10, 2000, “Three more years we have to spend in ignominy before Akram Khan led us to the most memorable victory in the history of our cricket. Since then the Board officials took the challenge to seal the honour permanently that our boys ensured for the countrymen.

Their intense and enterprising lobbying in the world body, the ever-growing passion among the fans, Eddie Barlow’s successful presentation to ICC that cricket is thriving there and will continue in the years to come.”

Barlow’s impact on Bangladesh cricket was immense.

A fatal hemorrhagic stroke cut short his stay as the coach and development director of Bangladesh cricket and it was a big loss for the Tigers. Still, many believe, had Barlow stayed longer with Bangladesh cricket, the improvement might not have been painfully slow and the domestic structure would have never remained poor.

Even though Barlow was physically not able to carry on his job, he didn’t miss the historic day of Bangladesh cricket and attended Bangladesh’s first ever Test match by sitting on a wheelchair.

One of Bangladesh’s great batsmen Aminul Islam said of the historic day and Barlow’s presence, “I was determined to do well. I gave plenty of time to adapt myself with the conditions. The Indian attack was boosted by Srinath, Agarkar, Sunil Joshi and co. It was a strong attack. I waited for the loose balls and planned to play session by session. I got nervous when I was in my 90s. I became slow. Two names kept wandering in my mind – Javed Miandad and Pravin Amre.

Both of them had scored Test hundreds for their country on debut. I kept on motivating myself by remembering their unique feat. Finally, I reached my hundred and thanked the Almighty Allah. Soon after thanking Allah, I looked towards the dressing room where a paralysed Eddie Barlow was trying hard to stand up from his wheelchair to give a standing ovation. Later his wife helped him to stand up. These are just precious moments.”

Barlow passed away on December 30, 2005 in Jersey.

Bangladesh will play their 100th Test match at P Sara Oval on March 15, 2017, and their former South African mentor, coach and hero will be smiling down on them with great pride and joy.

Note: This article has been published at Sportskeeda on 15/03/2017 Remembering Bangladesh cricket's mentor and father figure - Eddie Barlow

Thank You

Faisal Caesar

#Bangladesh100 - An emotional day for me

In the 80s and 90s, the young generation were discouraged to take cricket seriously. Few parents did allow their kids to play football and take it as a profession, but when any of the kids wished to become a cricketer, they did not receive enough support from their family. As because, cricket had no future in Bangladesh. Cricketers like Gazi Ashraf Hossain Lipu, Yousuf Babu, Aminul Islam, Minhazul Abedin and Akram Khan did inject a lot of inspiration, but at the end of the day those inspirations were like a morning dew which vanished as the day progressed.

Bangladesh were not a Test nation and to earn a Test status was an uphill task. If cricket needs to grow in this part of the region, a Test status is a must for Bangladesh and for that, they need to feature in the ICC World Cup.

Bangladesh’s performances in the ICC Trophies were not good and the dream of becoming a Test nation always remained a dream.

The nation kept busy with football.

Me, my friends and a few fans in Dhaka and Chittagong dreamed big.

In 1992, I returned home late after playing cricket in the gully and was heavily scolded. My family said in a harsh manner, “Give up playing cricket. Bangladesh has no future in cricket!”

I told my sister, “Things will change some day. Wasim, Waqar, Lara and Tendulkar will come to play in Dhaka one day”.

My sister said, “Kochu!”

It’s March 15, 2017 today. Bangladesh will play their 100^th Test match. How things have changed over the years! Since yesterday, deep down, I have been very emotional. I am sure, those who grew up listening, Bangladesh has no future in cricket during their school and college life, are very emotional like me today.

I have watched the Tigers to grow. I have watched how the boys overcame the obstacles to establish themselves as a Test playing nation.

We have a great history and our history was not made easy.

Long live Bangladesh and Tigers!!!

Thank You

Faisal Caesar 

Bangladesh's woes with fourth innings continue

It will be tough for Bangladesh cricket fans to think and recollect when exactly did their cricket team perform well with the bat in the fourth innings of a Test. One of the memorable fightbacks by the Tigers in the fourth innings with the bat was against Zimbabwe in Dhaka, where Javed Omar’s epic vigil earned the Tigers a hard-fought draw and the first ever Test series win.

Then four years later at Grenada in 2009, Bangladesh chased down a total successfully to script a memorable whitewash in West Indies. Otherwise, the Tigers’ fourth innings story has always been disappointing. They have failed to save Test matches even on batting friendly tracks.

Bangladesh lost the first Test at Galle and a section of cricket fans and experts in Bangladesh might be satisfied thinking the visitors took the game to fifth day at least. But if one considers the nature of track at Galle and Bangladesh’s experience in Test matches, it was yet another head-scratching performance by the Tigers.

In the Test series against India and West Indies in 2015 and Australia last year, the Galle track behaved wickedly and made survival an uphill task for the batsmen. The common belief was that the track there would be the same and the Bangladesh batsmen would find it difficult to counter the threat of Rangana Herath, Sandakan and Dilruwan Perera.

But surprisingly, Sri Lanka prepared a flat track, just like four years ago where Bangladesh posted 600 plus runs for the first time in their Test history.

Here Sri Lanka batted first and posted a total of 494 runs. With the likes of Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah around, repeating the performance of 2013 was not impossible.

The opening pair gave a solid start, but all of a sudden they lost their way. However, the team finished the fourth day in a commendable fashion, and all they needed was enough resilience to save the Test. But on the final day, the batting display of the visiting team was very disappointing.

Soumya Sarkar dealt the first ball of the day from Asela Gunaratne lazily and almost gave a catch to the short-leg fielder and on the next ball, Asela’s gentle medium pace got the better of him. Soumya’s lacklusterness was contagious and it spread like an infection among others.

Mominul Haque was struck in front, Shakib al Hasan was nowhere in position to handle a delivery which jumped from the rough, Mahmudullah’s confusing footwork cut short his stay, Mushfiqur Rahim was dismissed trying to tuck one down to leg side and just when Liton Kumar Das was settling down, he played a needless stroke to help Herath surpass Daniel Vettori’s Test scalps tally.

Just after lunch, Bangladesh bundled out and suffered a defeat by 259 runs.

Occupation at the crease is an art and it requires a lot of patience and solid technique to execute.

Technically, a batsman needs to play with a straight bat, keep the ball on the ground and concentrate on rotating the strike. While playing the marathon knock against West Indies, Hanif made sure that the ball finds only the centre of his bat and the edges and shoulders are spotless. Technique, coupled with concentration level, helps to produce match-saving knocks.

The Sri Lankan batsmen spent 1914 minutes at the crease at Galle while Bangladesh spent 1336, which indicates how quickly the Tigers lost their concentration levels. In fact, the habit of focusing too much on shorter formats hardly helps in developing such sort of temperament.

Tamim Iqbal or Soumya Sarkar’s stroke-filled exhibitions are glorified, but if they try and hold on to their wicket, they are widely criticised. Here, in Bangladesh, the cricketers are always encouraged to display their adventurous side, no matter how hard the head coach tries to make them understand the value of prolonging the innings and cutting short the aggressive intent and childishness.

Even after 17 years of Test cricket, a matured Test culture has not yet developed in Bangladesh. It’s sad to think, Bangladesh is still learning about the intricacies of playing the longest format of the game.

Note: This article was published at Sportskeeda on 11/03/2017 Bangladesh's woes with fourth innings continue

Thank You

Faisal Caesar 

Bangladesh's inspiring displays in Sri Lanka

November 10, 2000 will remain as one of the most significant days in the history of  Bangladesh. For the 29-year old nation, back then, achieving the coveted Test status was something special. But in the early years, Bangladesh found it tough to cope with the most difficult format of the game. Shoddy performances in a consistent manner led to the outburst of critics who ended up saying, the ICC’s decision was hasty regarding Bangladesh’s Test status.   

After ten months of tough period in Test cricket, the young Test nation travelled to Sri Lanka to play a Test match for the first time against the Islanders. It was the second edition of the Asian Test Championship and it paved the way for the Tigers to learn and improve by playing against the Big Boys of world cricket.

Bangladesh learned through the hard ways.

On September 10, 2001, Bangladesh played their first ever Test on Sri Lankan soil and it was a disastrous couple of days for the visitors. Since then, playing against Sri Lanka in Test cricket in Sri Lanka always remained a strenuous journey for the Tigers and they are yet to win a Test on Lankan soil. Apart from that eventful Test at Galle in 2013, Bangladesh’s performance in Sri Lanka had been shoddy.    

But still, there had been some inspiring performances by the Bangladeshis on Lankan soil in five-day matches which gave hope for a better future.

Tapash Baisya, Alok Kapali and Manjural Islam’s stubborn at Sinhalese Sports Club Ground

Bangladesh set foot on Sri Lankan soil for a full series in 2002. They played 2-match Test series and in the first Test, the home team nailed the visitors and the story was not different in the second. In reply to Sri Lanka’s 373 in the first innings, a Muttiah-Muralitharan-less attack reduced Bangladesh to 86 for 7.

Alok Kaplai and Tapash Baisya were playing their first Test and very little was expected from them as the possibility of a total less than hundred loomed large.

Kapali and Baisya decided to fight back and spent time at the crease as the Bangladeshi resistance seemed slow and painful, but at least, they conveyed the message to the top order, if a batsman stays at the crease, scoring runs was never a tough task.  

Baisya and Kapali found the gaps and fetched runs and when both of them, settled down, some sweetly timed boundaries were seen. Baisya scored a maiden Test half-century, while Kapali’s stubborn resistance of 39 runs failed to save the follow on.

Bangladesh fell  nine runs short as Jayasuriya, who picked up three for 17 with his orthodox slow left-arm, finally ended a fine stonewalling effort from Monjural Islam; the left-hander recording a 72-minute duck before being caught behind.

The Bangladesh tail put up a rare display of patience amid the tendency to play more shots.

Mohammad Ashraful’s composed 75

Sri Lanka did not enforce the follow on at Sinhalese Sports Club Ground and  Sanath Jayasuriya, the Lankan captain, declared at tea on the third day, leaving Bangladesh the unlikely task of chasing 473, or surviving seven sessions.

Sadly, Bangladesh’s reply was shaky as they lost three wickets quickly. But Tushar Imrana and Mohammad Ashraful took inspiration for the Bangladesh tail and stitched a 59-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Ashraful added 68 runs more with Kapali for the fifth wicket and as soon as soon that partnership was broken, the visitors succumbed quickly as the last five wickets fell for just 17 runs.

Ashraful spent 154 minutes at the wicket and was comfortable both on the front and back foot. He hit 12 boundaries to notch up a brilliant 75, but it was not enough to arrest a whitewash.

The swashbuckling Habibul Bashar at R Premadasa Stadium

At the start of 2005, Bangladesh registered their first ever Test and series win. In the same year, they travelled to Sri Lanka for another 2-match Test series and this time around the hopes were high. At the end of the day, the story was the same.

In the first Test at R Premadas Stadium, Colombo, the Bangladesh captain dished out a superb exhibition of onside-stroke-play. He came at the crease when the debutante Shahriar Nafees was dismissed cheaply and from the word go, Bashar’s wristy shots became a matter of sheer joy for Bangladesh fans.

Even though, Bashar loved to execute the hook and pull shot, in that particular innings, the leg glance became one of the most productive shots for him as anything around the pad, was sent to the onside boundary.

He was dismissed for 84 off 96 balls which included 12 eye-catching boundaries. As soon as he was dismissed, Bangladesh lost their way and in the end, they lost the Test as well. In the second innings, they were bundled out for just 86.

Shahriar Nafees announces his arrival in Test cricket

At the age of 19, Shahriar Nafees was rushed into the Test squad. He toured England and made his ODI debut in England, where he fared well to become the talk of the town and even was dubbed as the future captain by the then Under-19 coach, Richard McInness. He made his Test debut in 2005 against Sri Lanka at R Premadasa Stadium and failed to prove a point. 

In the second Test at P Sara Oval, Bangladesh were following on in their second innings and at 56 for 3, another disgrace was on the cards. Nafees came out to bat at number four and added 75 runs for the fourth wicket with another Naffes from Chittagong.

Shahriar was dismissed for 51 which could have been even bigger a score if he decided to curb his attacking instincts a bit more.

Finally, in his second Test, Nafees, made a mark and his hay days lasted for another three years. 

Mohammad Ashraful and Mushfiqur Rahim’s partnership at P Sara 

Oval

It was changing times in the Bangladesh cricket fraternity. Despite a satisfactory ICC World Cup in South Africa, Bangladesh decided to move on with Mohammad Ashraful as the captain. Under Ashraful’s captaincy, Bangladesh toured Sri Lanka for a 3-match Test series.

Bangladesh lost the first Test in a shambolic fashion – 89 all out in the first innings and in the second Test, they managed to score 62 in the first innings.

When Bangladesh came out to bat in the second innings, they were at risk of another disgrace. At 78 for 5, it was a matter of time for the home team to finish the match as early as possible.  

Little Mushfiqur Rahim and Mohammad Ashraful decided to earn some respect. Both of them frustrated the Sri Lankan bowlers and stitched a partnership of 191 for the sixth wicket.

Bangladesh lost the last five wickets for just 30 runs and lost the match.

Mohammad Ashraful’s career-saving ton at Galle

Ashraful lost the captaincy after the defeat against Ireland in the World Twenty20 in 2009. Since then, his position in the team was always under risk and whenever he was given an opportunity, he would waste it by exhibiting some unnecessary strokes which triggered anger among the fans.

 He was given another opportunity to save his career in 2013 in the first Test against Sri Lanka at Galle. Bangladesh were in trouble when he came out to bat and when he had just adjusted his focus, Anamul Haque departed. But Ashraful remained unfazed by the fall of wickets and batted on, on and on to announce, he was not finished yet.

He was dismissed ten short of a double ton, but at that point, he established his place in the team which was wasted yet again due to match-fixing scandals few months later.

A double ton for the skipper

The Bangladesh fans were left to rue about Ashraful missing a double ton, but they did not have to wait for such a feat long as Mushfiqur Rahim, the Bangladesh skipper, notched up a double hundred for the first time in Bangladesh’s Test history.  

On  a track which was ideal for batting, Mushfiq decided to spend as much time as possible at the crease and while doing such, he spent 437 minutes at the wicket and hit 22 fours and 1 six to register 200 runs to his name and helped Bangladesh to post 600-plus runs for the first time.

Bangladesh drew the first Test and it was a massive improvement from the previous Tours.

Mohammad Ashraful’s epic hundred at Sinhalese Sports Club

The second match of the 2001-02 edition of the Asian Test Championship was between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Bangladesh landed on Lankan soil after digesting a heavy defeat against Pakistan at Multan. On a flat deck, Jayasuriya won the toss and invited the visitors to bat. But Bangladesh were bundled out for 90 and when they came out to bat in the second, Sri Lanka were leading by 465 runs.

Muttiah Muralitharan made life difficult for the Bangladeshi batsmen. The visitors were reeling at 81 for 4 when a 16-year old emerged into the scene. He attacked Murali, executed some brilliant late cuts and didn’t bother to come down against the spinners to smash boundaries. He received very good support from Aminul Islam and Naimur Rahman as Bangladesh earned respect by ending the innings with their heads high.

The 16-year old Ashraful spent 248 minutes at the wicket and hot 16 boundaries to script an epic knock of 114. Ashraful was Test cricket's youngest centurion and broke Mushtaq Mohammad's record.

Note: This article was published at Cricketsoccer on 06/03/2017 Bangladesh's inspiring displays in Sri Lanka

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Faisal Caesar 

Bangladesh’s success in Sri Lanka will depend on how they handle Rangana Herath

The second edition of Asian Test Championship in the 2001-02 season, Bangladesh, the then one-year-old Test nation back then, had the opportunity to play against two of Asia’s best teams – Pakistan and Sri Lanka at their own backyard. After suffering a heavy defeat against Pakistan at Multan, the Tigers flew to Colombo to face the fury of the Lankan Lions and Muttiah Muralitharan.

On September 10, 2001, Bangladesh played their first ever Test match on Sri Lankan soil and it had been another story of absolute humiliation for the visitors. The Sri Lankan batsmen and Murali were too hot to handle for the Tigers. Mohammad Ashraful’s record-breaking hundred on debut was the only thing to cheer for Bangladesh.Since then, Bangladesh’s tours in Sri Lanka have never been great.

The Tigers always returned home with a heavy heart and till now, they have not earned a victory over Sri Lanka in Test matches both home and away. The only notable result for a touring Bangladesh team in Sri Lanka was four years ago when they were able to draw a Test and returned home happily after drawing the ODI series 1-1.

Since 2013, many things have changed. As a team, Bangladesh have matured, and have landed on Sri Lankan soil as a unit which is as strong on paper as the hosts.

While the Tigers boast an experienced side, Sri Lanka are a pretty young and inexperienced team. Moreover, they would be without the services of captain Angelo Mathews and for the first time, Bangladesh bowlers would breathe a sigh of relief as they will not have to bowl to Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene. The Lankan batting line-up is shaky and lack the experience of playing enough Test cricket.      

Rangana Herath will lead Sri Lanka in the upcoming Test series and will be carrying the added responsibility of captaincy apart from spearheading the bowling attack.

What a servant Herath has been for Sri Lanka over the years! It’s never easy to fill the gap of a legend like Muralitharan, but Herath, for the last six years, has played a crucial role in Sri Lanka’s success in Test cricket and has emerged as one of the most consistent wicket-taking slow left-arm orthodox bowlers.

In the last six years, he has fetched 279 wickets in Test cricket, and at home, Herath has been an absolute demon. The spinner has bagged 231 wickets at an average of 23.15 and a strike rate of 51.64 at home, whereas, his average away from home is 37.79 and strike rate is 78.81. At Galle, he has picked 84 wickets, while 34 wickets at P Sara Oval with a strike rate of 53.42 and 56.03 respectively. 

Bangladesh will play the first Test at Galle and the second at P Sara Oval and both the venues are Herath’s happy hunting grounds.  Moreover, against Bangladesh, Herath’s record is very good as well – 25 wickets at an average of 25.60 and strike rate of 52.36.

Bangladesh have happy memories of Galle; in 2013, they gave a fitting reply to Sri Lanka’s mammoth first innings total by posting more than 600 runs for the first time in their Test history and didn’t let Herath take the upper hand. The Lankan spin maestro was made to toil hard under the hot sun as he managed to bag only two wickets for 162 runs from 62 overs.

In that match, the track was flat and the visitors took full advantage of it. But the conditions might not be the same this time around. In the last series against India and Australia in 2015 and 2016, Galle has been more favourable for the spinners and the same can be said about P Sara Oval. The spinners of the home team, especially Herath, tested the technique and temperament of visiting teams immensely and they were dismissed for not playing the ball either too late or more on the front foot.

For the Bangladesh batsmen, Galle and P Sara Oval won’t be an easy task. The ball is expected to turn, bounce and drift more and if the Bangladeshi batsmen wish to fair well against the Lankan spinners and Herath, they need to work more on their backfoot stroke-play and play the ball as late as possible. Again, they need to strengthen their defence and protect the edge.

The majority of Herath’s dismissals is either due to being caught in the slips or bat-pad fielder, and leg before wickets – 37.5% caught and 26.3% by LBWs. This indicates how important it is to play the ball on the backfoot more and get behind the line of the ball as much as possible.

Meanwhile, Herath has the knack of bagging the wickets of the big fish of the opposing team’s batting line-up. So far, he has dismissed Misbah-ul-Haq nine times, Azhar Ali and Younis Khan eight times, Ross Taylor six times and Steve Smith five times. Among the Bangladeshis, Mahmudullah Riyad has been dismissed three times, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mominul Haque dismissed two times while Shakib Al Hasan once by Herath.      

One might think, Sri Lanka are in a poor state and might succumb against the visitors this time around, but this Lankan team has some exciting players who could rise to the occasion any moment to crank up a surprising display and if Herath get’s going with the ball in his hand, Bangladesh’s tour might be a tough one.

We all know what Herath and a ‘weak’ Sri Lankan did to Australia last year.

Bangladesh’s success in Sri Lanka will depend on how they handle the spin of Herath. If the Tigers fail to exhibit enough character and the right technique, another bashing is in order.

Note: This article has been published at Sportskeeda on 05/03/2017 Bangladesh’s success in Sri Lanka will depend on how they handle Rangana Herath

Thank You

Faisal Caesar