Is Kusal Mendis the new life saver for Sri Lanka?

Kusal Mendis is one of the positives for Sri Lanka in 2018…….

It was Aravinda de Silva and Arjuna Ranatunga, who were famous for their rescue acts whenever Sri Lanka fell into trouble. They passed the baton to a certain Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara, who carried Sri Lankan cricket on their shoulders for more than a decade. It was up to Angelo Mathews to show the way and for a certain period he was doing his job pretty well, but his fitness hampered his performance and, thus, the job of life-saving-act had to be carried by the bunch of young boys.

The likes of Dinesh Chandimal, Dimuth Karunaratne, Roshen Silva, Kusal Perera or Kaushal Silva are talented, but somehow, they are proving to be inconsistent. A 23-year old youngster named Kusal Mendis, so far, proved his worth consistently this year and giving the impression to the Lankan fans; he is different from others and possesses the temperament like a Mahela, Sangakkara or Aravinda to fight it out when the going gets tough.

The 23-year old is special. Those who have just come to know about Mendis after his back to back fighting knocks against all the odds at Wellington and Christchurch, might feel, he is more about compactness rather than possessing the ability to script a counterattack like an Aravinda or a Sangakkara. The boy can take the attack to the cleaners like a maestro and who knows better than Steve Smith and his men, who witnessed one of the most dashing knocks of this decade at Pallekele.

Mendis notched up a swashbuckling 176 against a competent Australian attack, which set the tone for a marvellous series where the Islanders gunned down Smith & Co quite brutally. He followed it up with an 86-run knock at Galle, but since then, Mendis lost his mojo and started to frustrate the Sri Lankan followers, for whom – digesting a Lankan defeat has become a regularity over the past two years.

Chandika Hathurusingha took over the responsibility to rebuild Sri Lankan cricket. The start of 2018 was pretty optimistic for the master, but since that adventurous tour of West Indies, nothing has gone right for Sri Lanka. As usual, they are losing. As usual, things are pretty chaotic on and off the pitch. Chandika’s tactics have come under scrutiny and, it seems, the officials too are losing faith in him gradually.

But one thing for sure, it is too early to write off Chandika. It is always tough to bring back a team on track who have suffered a lot in 2015, 2016 and 2017. Yes, the progress is slow, but some bright outcomes cannot be ignored. Among few of those outcomes, the return of Mendis to back to form can be credited to Chandika and batting coach Thilan Samaraweera's hard work.

Mendis of 2018 – enough consistent, enough wiser

After his heroic knock alongside Angelo at Wellington, Chandimal said, “After the match yesterday everyone was having a bit of fun telling Mendis that he was batting like Thilan Samaraweera. He works really closely with Thilan on his batting, and we were just making fun of the way he'd played”.

“We should especially mention that at tea yesterday, he had 98 runs, and at the end of the day, after batting 31 overs and playing out a whole session, he had only made it to 116. You look at that and you really see he played for the team. It's a really valuable century, and it's one that he had to go away from his natural style to produce” Chadimal added.

The impact is evident.

The Mendis of 2018 is different from that of 2016 and 2017, where he did not know the importance of composure and displaying resolve according to the demand of situation. Since that marvellous knock against Australia at Pallekele and Galle, perhaps, Mendis thought, it is always ideal to rely on counterattacks no matter in what situation he comes out to bat. But in five-day matches, you cannot switch to a fourth or fifth gear immediately as because, it is not a Twnety20 match. In Test cricket, understanding the basics of batting is a must. And that’s why, he struggled and even, he was dropped from the side for such a style, which resulted in his lean-patch.

But this year, he worked on his weakness along with Thilan and the result has been satisfactory.

In the morning session of Day 4, Mendis weathered the storm from Trent Boult and Tim Southee, but Neil Wagner did not know about anything else other than targeting the ribs and throat. Wagner unleashed a barrage of short-pitch bowling, which came towards chest and neck like cannonballs – Mendis’ newly-found confidence and polished technique helped him to survive the heat of Wagner. He spent hours after hours along with Chandimal to ensure safety. And for which, Sri Lanka could at least survive the day and take the game to Day 5.

 “It was to bat as many balls as possible, as had been the case in Wellington. I tried to make the ball older and softer. If runs came, then that's a bonus. So we took it hour by hour and tried to break the work up that way. I was able to bat a session and a half, but if I'd been able to support Chandi a little bit better, we might have been able to finish today without a wicket having fallen", Mendis expressed his opinion in the post-match presser.

After all the hard work in the middle, he was dismissed quite tamely - Spotting a wide length ball from Neil Wagner, he drove it uppishly to short cover, where Matt Henry took a spectacular diving catch.

The shot was a wrong one and the good thing is Mendis, at present, can judge his mistakes better than before. As he said, “I don't think that was a great ball to drive. After looking at the replays, that's probably what I take from it. I was trying to hit through extra cover. The fielder was close, and I hit it too far in the air. It was probably too wide. It's one that I really could have left alone, but I made the wrong decision. Hopefully, I can learn from it”.

The words say it all. The Mendis of 2018 is much wiser than before. He has understood the pros and cons of playing Test cricket. Mendis has started to realise his true abilities, which is similar to what the past masters used to do more – be the life saver, when the team is in deep trouble.

Talent is nothing if does not turn into deeds. It seems, gradually, Mendis is learning this. Otherwise, he would not have ended up as one of the best batsmen of 2018, who has scored 1000-plus runs alongside the great Virat Kohli.

Mendis said, “I am going to try and get 1000 every year” which is the statement of a man, who is confident and hungry for more. He is one of the positives for Sri Lanka this year and Sri Lanka need to exploit the positives they have.            

Note: This article has been published at Cricketsoccer on 29/12/2018  Is Kusal Mendis the new life saver for Sri Lanka? 

Thank You

Faisal Caesar             

Roshen Silva drives loosely and Trent Boult sinks Sri Lanka

Trent Boult annihilated Sri Lanka quickly to leave them demoralised…….

Trent Boult is a predator on any surface. Be it in a subcontinental flat deck or in a seam and bouncy track, Boult will script Thunderbolts with a commendable effort. Since he burst into the Test scene, quite silently he has delivered some of the finest spells in test cricket, which hardly received the hype and attention from international fans and media. The surprising silence regarding such customers leads to the use of the word underrated, which automatically creates a space to highlight the overrated ones.

But like a Dale Steyn or James Anderson, even a Boult can find the going tough when a batsman decides to display resolve. A pacer is hardly worried about the counterattacks as because there is always a chance to dismiss the batter, but in case of defiant resistance, the chances go down a bit. Again, if a quality pacer can breach the wall of resistance for once, he rediscovers his killer instincts immediately – havoc is created and if the bowler is gifted such, obviously, he does not take time to clean off things.

A new day offers a new beginning. It offers us not to commit enough mistakes. It gives us the opportunity not to waste the hard work done on the previous day. But Sri Lanka’s Roshen Silva decided otherwise.                   

Until the fifth over of the day commenced, Silva kept the basics right – got behind the line of the ball better and executed shots with soft hands. He was needed to do the same for a brief period and gthe ive strike to Angelo Mathews as much as possible. But in the fourth ball of fifth over of Day 2, Silva attempted a loose-drive with hard hands against a delivery, which was pitched up. Boult struck gold and Silva was left to rue about the stroke. In the twinkle of an eye, all the hard work of Day 1 was wasted due to lack of resolve.

Silva departed and Boult punished Sri Lanka ruthlessly. The ball came out of his hand like a weapon of mass destruction, which moved prodigiously – moved in and out from a full-length leaving Sri Lanka tottering. Niroshan Dickwella, Dilruwan Perera, Suranga Lakmal and Dushmanta Chameera could do nothing, but surrender meekly against a pacer, who was bowling in such a manner as if he had just landed from another planet. It was a mayhem, which took a few minutes to sink the Lankan ship leaving their talisman – Mathews – as a mere spectator at the other end. Mathews could do nothing.

Six wickets fell in the span of just 15 balls.

Boult started the day at 0 for 20. The pacer was struggling with form in the opening Test in  Wellington, where he finished with the figures of 2 for 145. But he was just one moment away to rediscover his mojo and as soon as Silva gifted it, there was no stopping to the mayhem. Boult’s spell not only sunk Sri Lanka, but dented them psychologically as their bowlers failed to test the New Zealand batters, who batted the visitors out of the game.     

That’s how destructive a pace bowler can be.

That’s why people love to watch a pace bowler at his very best.

Note: This article has been published at Cricketsoccer on 26/12/2018 Roshen Silva drives loosely and Trent Boult sinks Sri Lanka

Thank You
Faisal Caesar 

Christchurch and Centurion offer great joy, but MCG frustrates

While the quality of cricket was enthralling at Christchurch and Centurion, MCG frustrated everyone…..

Even though cricketing actions are evident on the Boxing Day in other countries, but each and every cricket fan focus on the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), which has become quite synonymous with Boxing Day since the 1980s.

The sky high popularity of Boxing Day Tests during the 80s prompted the then Victorian Cricket Association to trademark the event. Except for the summer of 1989-90, MCG has been a regular venue for the Boxing Day Test. The fans, who don’t live in Australia, either wake up early in the morning or remain awake deep at night to watch live action from MCG.  MCG hardly disappointed the fans since the start of a Test. The first day of a Boxing Day Test in MCG means high quality excitement and to a greater extent, the tracks have played a vital role in providing such.

MCG decks have never been as flat as the pancakes. Neither can anyone claim, MCG decks are like roads. The equality between the bat and ball has always been noticeable. But when you see a spinner to bowl in the eighth over of the day on an MCG track, I am sorry to say, all the interest about the Boxing Day Test in MCG, takes a setback. One could see such events take place on Day 1 of the third Test between India and Australia.

The hype about the track at MCG was huge before the Test match started and the people involved in preparing and reporting the deck, stated, it would have something for both the batters and bowlers. Sadly, on a sun-kissed day, the excited crowd all around the globe was presented with a subcontinental track, which was slow and low and would get slower as the day progresses.  All of a sudden the interest regarding the Test was dented for those, who wish to witness a bit of a challenge for the batters on Test match pitches.

As a matter of fact, the notion – good tracks mean a flatter track – has done a lot of damage to Test cricket over the past few decades. In Test cricket, a contest is not a contest, until and unless, it has something for the bowlers. On a docile deck, Test cricket can never burst into life.

Even though, at the fag end of day, the clash between Mitchell Starc and Virat Kohli triggered a bit of thrill, but when you notice the action at Christchurch and Centurion, Day 1 at MCG is easily overshadowed by the thrills and chills of the decks provided by New Zealand and South Africa.

The track at Hagley Oval was a lively one. It was painted with a green brush and as soon as Suranga Lakmal started to swing the red cherry like hell, New Zealand discovered themselves in an absolute disarray. Six wickets went down in a hurry, but BJ Watling’s solidity and Tim Southee’s jaw-dropping counterattack dragged New Zealand out of the mess.

It was a top quality fight.

The Lankan bowlers forgot to bowl a tight line and length, but adopted a more attacking option to bury New Zealand early. It was a desperate situation and demanded a desperate measure – Southee unleashed his best with the bat. Bingo! Let’s go for the kill rather than getting killed. A flurry of boundaries cropped up and Sri Lanka’s attacking line-and-length was disturbed for a brief period.  New Zealand ended with a respectable total considering the track and situation they were in and struck hard with the ball when Sri Lanka came out to bat. Sri Lanka displayed resolve and arrested further collapse. The Day 1 at Christchurch witnessed 266 runs for 14 wickets.

A few hours later, cricket burst into life in Centurion, when a certain Babar Azam decided to answer his critics. Babar is mostly considered as a limited-overs batsman and not worthy enough to play Test cricket. But when Pakistan were tottering at 111 for 8, Babar decided to change his colour in went the Southee way – Dale Steyn and Kagiso Rabada were taken to the cleaners in a manner, as it seemed, they were mere club bowlers. It was a freakish display of counterattack. Babar was the man possessed.

When Pakistan came out to bowl, like the Kiwis, they struck hard. Mohammad Amir, Hasan Ali and Shaheen Afridi went berserk. The wickets started to tumble, but the home team’s scoring rate did not take a step back. Their scoring rate was around 3.9 runs per over, despite the threat posed by Pakistan pacers.

New Zealand, Sri Lanka, South Africa and Pakistan attacked, counterattacked and attacked and the spicy deck attributed to such a top-notch Test cricket. It forced the players to unleash their attacking instinct – the contest between bat and ball was not dull like MCG. Obviously, the Day 1 at MCG frustrated all, but Christchurch and Centurion saved the day.       

Note: This article has been published at Cricketsoccer on 26/12/2018 Christchurch and Centurion offer great joy, but MCG frustrates    

Thank You

Faisal Caesar        

A Test for the Ages: Kingsmead 1948’s Electrifying Finale

The atmosphere at Kingsmead, Durban, in 1948 was charged with an almost mythical intensity. As the fading light clashed with a persistent drizzle, Test cricket bore witness to one of its most thrilling climaxes. With three balls remaining, four results lingered in the balance: a win for either side, a draw, or a tie. The final ball—a leg-bye clinching victory—etched this encounter into the annals of cricketing folklore.

But the tale of that match transcends its dramatic ending. It was a microcosm of cricket’s unpredictability, a contest of skill and nerve on a pitch as mercurial as the sport itself.

England's Quest for Redemption

The year 1948 had not been kind to England. Don Bradman’s swansong series left the English battered and bereft of confidence. The scars from their Ashes humiliation lingered as they embarked on their first South African tour in a decade. Victory in this unfamiliar territory wasn’t just a matter of pride; it was a necessary salve for wounded spirits.

Their prospects weren’t entirely bleak. A year prior, England had bested South Africa on home soil, and though doubts loomed, they were still considered favourites to win the series. However, their mettle would be tested against a South African side determined to exploit every vulnerability.

A Stage Set for Battle

The first Test at Kingsmead was a four-day affair, punctuated by historical undertones. England’s captain, George Mann, debuted in this match, following in the footsteps of his father, Frank Mann, who had led England in South Africa 26 years prior. South Africa, too, fielded debutants, and their captain Dudley Nourse stepped in for the injured Alan Melville.

Nourse’s decision to bat first was calculated, influenced by forecasts of thunderstorms that promised to wreak havoc on the second day. The pitch, temperamental and unpredictable, reflected the tension that defined this contest.

Day 1: Swing and Strife

Alec Bedser and Clifford Gladwin capitalized on the humid conditions, delivering a masterclass in swing bowling. South Africa’s openers faltered, but a 51-run stand between debutant Bruce Mitchell and Nourse offered a glimmer of stability. Yet, England’s fielding brilliance—exemplified by Alan Watkins’ one-handed short-leg catch and Cyril Washbrook’s sharp run-out—ensured the pendulum swung firmly in their favour.

Bedser and Gladwin’s relentless discipline dismantled the South African lineup, with only Denis Begbie and OC Dawson showing resistance. South Africa were bowled out for a modest 161, with Bedser’s 4 for 39 and Gladwin’s 3 for 21 underscoring England’s dominance.

Day 2: Thunderstorms and Momentum

Rain curtailed play on the second day, but not England’s ascendancy. Len Hutton and Cyril Washbrook negotiated South Africa’s bowlers with aplomb, stitching together a 50-run stand in brisk fashion. Dudley Nourse turned to his spinners, Tufty Mann and Athol Rowan, who managed to stem the flow of runs. By stumps, England were well-placed at 144 for 2, with Hutton’s commanding 81 hinting at further trouble for the hosts.

Day 3: A Pitch Transformed

The third day descended into chaos, a captivating duel between bat and ball. Nineteen wickets fell for just 199 runs, a spectacle born from Mann’s shrewd decision to delay rolling the pitch. The dry crust that formed overnight crumbled under the heavy roller, creating a minefield for batsmen and a paradise for spinners.

England’s Denis Compton stood tall amid the carnage, crafting a gritty 72 to guide his team to 253. Mann’s left-arm guile yielded 6 for 59, while Rowan’s off-breaks added 4 for 108.

South Africa’s response was cautious yet tenuous. Dudley Nourse and Mitchell added vital runs, but England’s bowlers, particularly Doug Wright, found their rhythm. Wright, rediscovering his leg-spin artistry, claimed crucial wickets, leaving South Africa teetering at 90 for 4 by stumps.

The Final Act: A Day of Legend

The rest day only heightened the anticipation. When play resumed, Wade and Begbie’s 85-run stand for the fifth wicket seemed to tilt the scales. Yet England’s bowlers—notably Wright and Jenkins—rallied. South Africa’s innings folded at 219, setting England a target of 128 in 135 minutes.

The pursuit was fraught with peril. The pitch, unrelenting in its spite, and the failing light created a cauldron of tension. Washbrook survived a chance off the first ball but Tufty Mann soon claimed Hutton. George Mann promoted himself to steady the chase but fell to a spectacular slip catch by Mitchell off 19-year-old debutant Cuan McCarthy.

McCarthy’s fiery spell left England reeling at 70 for 6. Compton, ever the stoic, forged a crucial partnership with Jenkins, but McCarthy struck again, finishing with remarkable figures of 6 for 43. England’s hopes now rested on Bedser and Gladwin, the last pair.

The Climactic Finale

As the drizzle persisted and the light dimmed, Bedser and Gladwin braved McCarthy’s fiery deliveries. With scores tied, the drama culminated in the final ball of Len Tuckett’s over. Gladwin swung and missed, but the ball deflected off his thigh and rolled towards short leg. The duo sprinted desperately, and Tufty Mann’s throw narrowly missed the stumps as Bedser completed the run.

Victory by a leg-bye off the last ball—a singular moment in Test history—sent the crowd into raptures. Spectators stormed the pitch, hoisting players aloft in jubilant disbelief. In the pavilion, many English players confessed they had been unable to watch the nail-biting conclusion.

Legacy of a Thriller

This match at Kingsmead wasn’t merely a game; it was a testament to cricket’s capacity for theatre. England’s narrow victory rekindled their confidence, propelling them to a 2-0 series triumph. Yet, the true essence of this Test lay in its narrative—the tactical battles, individual heroics, and the relentless unpredictability of cricket.

Seventy-six years later, the Kingsmead Test of 1948 remains an emblem of why cricket, in its purest form, captivates hearts and minds. It is a story of resilience, ingenuity, and the ceaseless drama that unfolds when sport meets history.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar 

All is quiet on the great fight back at Basin Reserve

The lack of interest in Sri Lanka’s epic fight back among cricket fans and pundits is quite saddening…….

There you go, from nowhere, Sri Lanka managed to draw the first Test at Basin Reserve quite astonishingly. But, frankly speaking, even their ardent supporters won’t put their money in favour of Sri Lanka – surely, you don’t want to prove yourself a fool by investing faith in a team, which is displaying poor quality cricket at home and away and whose house is pretty chaotic at present.

But you know what, cricket – especially Test cricket - is such a format, where you cannot write off anyone easily. No one understood this better than Aizaz Patel, the hero in Abu Dhabi, who stated, if you think test cricket is, the easier it will come back and bite you on the, well, you know.

"You always have to expect the other team will play well. Nothing is expected in cricket. We know it's a funny game and it can bite you in the arse if you expect too many things," Patel said after the final day of first Test was washed off by rain. Patel said such in a rather sad manner as because, Angelo Mathews and Kusal Mendis displayed the best of grits and determinations on Day 4, when all seemed lost at 13 for 3.

Their defiant resistance on Day 4 paid rich dividends on the final day, where the skies above the Basin Reserve opened up to honour their courage as it did the same 11 years ago in Lord’s, when a lad named MS Dhoni’s determination delayed England’s victory and later on, the Lond skies opened up to draw the match to the utter astonishment of England captain Michael Vaughan.

Indeed, fortune favours the brave!  

It was not that New Zealand bowled badly on Day 4 since the Mathews and Mendis came together in the middle. As Patel said, “I haven't played a lot of test cricket, but a lot of the boys said that was the first time they had seen a day of test cricket without a wicket. But that's not to say we played poorly. I think we bowled well”.

“We applied ourselves and bowled in good areas for long periods, they just adapted really well and they have two guys sitting on 100 not out so we can't beat ourselves up too much about that”.

Indeed, Mathews and Mendis adapted very well and their focus was to spend as much time as possible on the wicket. The habit of playing false strokes was cut off, the threatening ones were left sensibly rather than poking and playing with a straight bat was the order of the day. A collapse was arrested and Sri Lanka managed to stitch a match-saving partnership, which is expected to boost the morale of this Lankan unit.

Undoubtedly, Mathews is not finished yet and still, a fit Mathews has a lot to offer for Sri Lanka. Still, I think, Mathews should lead this side if he can maintain his fitness.

But what staggered me most, is the silence of the so-called cricket fans and pundits regarding Sri Lanka’s epic fight back. Rather, the buzz of an auction garnered more attention. Sadly, this is the modern day cricket, where the tamasha dominates more than quality. This is the era, where great efforts in Test matches get poor attention for the sake of an auction, which is not even a cricket match.

And if the teams are not heavyweights, none even bother to notice.

Even though, things were different before tamasha burst into the scene. One can’t deny, how much interest the first Test between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe generated in 2005. Both the teams were regarded as minnows in that time, but still, none of the cricket fans could ignore the thrill and chill of a Test match.  

Time has changed. Cricket has changed a lot. The interest of cricket fans has changed as well.

But whether this change in interest good or bad, I have asked this question to myself many times. Is preferring a tamasha over the high-quality content in Basin Reserve better? For me, it is not. I would always prefer the high-quality content in Basin Reserve. As I believe, for the betterment of cricket’s future, it is very important to follow the best format and the new generation of cricket bosses, pundits and fans should believe the same.  

But, the story is different. They do say, Test cricket needs to be branded in the best possible way, but here, the action does not speak louder than words. And for which, all is quiet on an epic fight back at Basin Reserve!

Note: This article has been posted at Cricketsoccer on 19/12/2018 All is quiet on the great fight back at Basin Reserve

Thank You

Faisal Caesar 

Cricket in East Pakistan: A Journey from Marginalization to Passion

The year 1947 marked the end of British colonial rule in the Indian subcontinent, leading to the partition of India and the creation of two independent nations: India and Pakistan. This division gave birth to a unique political and cultural landscape, with Pakistan split into West and East regions. Amidst the political upheaval and socio-economic challenges, sports emerged as a unifying force, with cricket playing a pivotal role. Despite its colonial roots, cricket became a symbol of national pride and a tool for diplomacy, especially between India and Pakistan. However, the development of cricket in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) was starkly different from its progress in the West.

The Early Days: A Struggle for Recognition

In the years following the partition, cricket in West Pakistan began to flourish, fueled by enthusiastic players and administrators. In contrast, East Pakistan faced significant challenges. The departure of influential figures like the Maharaja of Natore and Sarada Ranjan Ray left a void in the cricketing landscape of East Bengal. Football and hockey quickly overshadowed cricket, particularly after Dhaka District Eleven’s historic victory over the Islington Corinthians football team in 1937. This triumph ignited a football revolution that dominated the region for decades.

Yet, cricket persisted in the pockets of East Pakistan. According to veteran journalist Muhammad Kamruzzaman, informal club leagues kept the spirit of cricket alive during the partition years. Matches were held at venues like Dhaka DSA Ground, Wari Victoria, and East End, albeit with limited infrastructure and resources. By 1948, organized cricket leagues resumed, laying the foundation for the sport’s future growth.

Institutional Support and Early Milestones

The formation of a cricket association in East Pakistan in 1951 marked a turning point. Spearheaded by figures like Feroz Khan Noon and Masood Salahuddin, this initiative sought to institutionalize cricket in the region. The visit of a Burmese cricket team in 1951 further bolstered local interest, even though the matches were casual and lacked professionalism. These events signalled the beginning of cricket’s gradual rise in East Pakistan.

The 1952-53 tour of East Pakistan by the West Pakistan cricket team, led by Abdul Hafeez Kardar, was another milestone. Matches held in Chattogram and Dhaka showcased local talent, with players like Dr. Mazharul Islam Damal and Qazi Mohsin earning recognition. Although these matches were largely symbolic, they planted the seeds for cricket’s growth in the region. Kardar himself acknowledged this in a 1954 column for Dawn, noting that the first seeds of cricket in East Pakistan had been sown.

The Rise of Infrastructure and Talent

The establishment of the East Pakistan Sports Federation (EPSF) further propelled cricket’s development. Participation in the Pakistan National League exposed local players to high-level competition, offering invaluable experience despite the dominance of teams from Karachi and Lahore. The construction of a cricket stadium in Dhaka in 1955, now known as the Bangabandhu International Stadium, ushered in a new era. Hosting its first Test match between Pakistan and India on January 1, 1955, the stadium became a symbol of East Pakistan’s cricketing aspirations.

During this period, cricket gained popularity among the youth, with schools and colleges embracing the sport. Grounds like Dhaka DSA, Wari Club, and Eidgah became hubs of cricketing activity, nurturing talents like Abdul Halim Chowdhury Jewel and Raquibul Hasan. These players, characterized by their fearless approach and technical proficiency, began to challenge the dominance of West Pakistani cricketers.

Persistent Discrimination and the Struggle for Equality

Despite these advancements, East Pakistani cricketers faced systemic discrimination. The cricketing hierarchy, dominated by West Pakistan, often overlooked talent from the East. Niaz Ahmed, a non-Bengali cricketer, was the only player from East Pakistan to represent the national team before 1971, highlighting the exclusionary practices of the time. Even when players from the East demonstrated their capabilities, as in the 1952-53 match against West Pakistan, they were frequently sidelined in favour of their Western counterparts.

This marginalization extended to international tours. For instance, Sohrab Khan and Amirullah Munni, two promising players from East Pakistan, were included in the Pakistan Eaglets’ tour to England but were fielded in only two matches out of twenty. Such instances underscored the systemic biases that hindered the growth of cricket in East Pakistan.

The Liberation War and the Birth of Bangladesh Cricket

The liberation war of 1971 marked a turning point in the history of East Pakistan. The sacrifices of individuals like Abdul Halim Chowdhury Jewel, who fought and died for Bangladesh’s independence, underscored the deep connection between cricket and national identity. Raquibul Hasan, another prominent cricketer, survived the war and became instrumental in rebuilding cricket in the newly independent Bangladesh.

Post-Independence: Rekindling the Cricketing Spirit

Following independence, cricket struggled to reclaim its preeminence in Bangladesh. Football dominated the sports landscape throughout the 1970s and 1980s. However, efforts to revive cricket persisted. By the mid-1990s, cricket began to eclipse football, fueled by grassroots initiatives and international exposure. The passion for cricket, deeply rooted in Bengal’s history, found new expression in the hearts of Bangladeshis.

Today, Bangladesh is a nation synonymous with cricket. The sport has transcended its colonial origins to become a symbol of national pride and unity. From the humble beginnings of club leagues in the 1940s to hosting international matches in state-of-the-art stadiums, Bangladesh’s cricketing journey is a testament to resilience and passion. The legacy of pioneers like Jewel, Raquibul, and countless others continues to inspire a cricket-mad nation.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar 

The crossroads of Cricket and Politics in Bangladesh

In the rich tapestry of Bangladesh cricket, few names resonate as profoundly as Mashrafe Bin Mortaza and Shakib Al Hasan. Both have achieved legendary status on the field, becoming symbols of hope and resilience for millions of fans. However, their involvement in politics has sparked intense debate and raised concerns about the ramifications for the sport and society at large. While their intentions may be rooted in a desire to contribute to their country or personal gains, the negative impact of their political affiliations cannot be overlooked.

The Enmeshment of Sport and Politics

In many countries, the worlds of sport and politics often intertwine, and Bangladesh is no exception. The country's political landscape has long been characterized by turmoil, polarization, and a power struggle. When prominent figures from the cricketing fraternity, such as Mashrafe and Shakib, enter this arena – with Mashrafe already competing for the General Election and Shakin on the line for the next one five years later, it brings about significant changes—not just in the realm of governance but also in the perception of cricket as a sport.

Mashrafe, who transitioned from an illustrious cricketing career to a political one, was elected as a Member of Parliament in 2018. His presence in politics was initially welcomed by fans who saw it as an opportunity for positive change, given his popularity and leadership skills. However, as time has passed, the murky waters of political loyalty and partisanship have begun to overshadow his contributions to the sport. Instead of remaining a unifying figure, his political affiliation has risked alienating segments of the cricketing community, dividing fans along partisan lines.

Shakib, on the other hand, has taken a more nuanced approach - while he has not officially entered politics, his public endorsements of political figures and parties have placed him in the spotlight. His involvement raises questions about the role of athletes as political influencers and the potential consequences of their actions. The fine line between advocacy and endorsement can blur, leading to a situation where fans see their idols not just as sports heroes but as political pawns.

Erosion of Focus on the Sport

The foray of these cricketers into politics has had a tangible impact on the sport itself. When athletes become embroiled in political affairs, the focus shifts from their performance on the field to their political stances. This diversion can distract players from their training and preparation, potentially affecting team dynamics and performance.

Moreover, the cricketing fraternity can become polarized as fans align themselves with or against the political views of their favourite players. The sport, which once served as a unifying force, risks becoming a battleground for political ideologies. The intense scrutiny of their political activities may lead to increased pressure on these athletes, detracting from their primary role as ambassadors of the game.

The Risk of Losing Neutrality

Cricket has often been heralded as a unifying force in Bangladesh, transcending social, economic, and political divides. The involvement of high-profile cricketers in politics threatens this neutrality, shifting the narrative from sporting achievements to political allegiances. When players like Mashrafe and Shakib become representatives of specific political parties or ideologies, they inadvertently alienate fans who may hold opposing views.

This shift can also discourage young talents from pursuing cricket if they perceive the sport as becoming enmeshed in the political chaos that has often plagued Bangladesh. The essence of cricket—fostering camaraderie, sportsmanship, and unity—risks being overshadowed by divisive political narratives.

A Call for Reflection

As Mashrafe Bin Mortaza and Shakib Al Hasan continue their journeys, both them and their fans must reflect on the implications of their political involvement. While their contributions to society are commendable, the intersection of cricket and politics should be approached with caution.

The future of Bangladesh cricket hinges on maintaining its status as a unifying force. While athletes have the power to effect change, they must also recognize their responsibility as role models. Striking a balance between advocacy for social issues and remaining committed to the purity of sport is crucial.

In conclusion, while Mashrafe and Shakib’s intentions may stem from a genuine desire to contribute to their nation, their involvement in politics poses significant risks to the sanctity of Bangladesh cricket. The journey ahead requires thoughtful deliberation, emphasizing the need for these sporting icons to tread carefully as they navigate the complex interplay of sport and politics. By doing so, they can ensure that their legacy in cricket remains untarnished and continues to inspire future generations.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar 

Nayeem Hasan: The 17-year old with a big heart

Nayeem Hasan is another wonderful addition to Bangladesh and world cricket

Do you expect a Bangladeshi 17-year old to be mature enough to go out there and face the fury of Caribbean pace bowlers? Do you really think that a 17-year old tail-ender can deal with the pace and aggression of Shannon Gabriel and Kemar Roach? If you think, the young generation of Bangladeshi boys is softer, perhaps, you are living in the world of fools. The boys of this generation are the species with a big heart – a heart filled with passion and the courage to conquer the impossible! Facing a Gabriel or Roach won’t be tough for them.

The big boys like Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah Riyad, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mominul Haque were already back in the hut and now, a lanky 17-year old boy named Nayeem Hasan walked at the crease to bat in his first ever Test. Mind you, the face of the boy showed no signs of acute anxiety and fear, but his body language hinted, it as just another match in a para or moholla.  

Nayeem was confident and it was evident when he dared to play shots against West Indian pacers. Moreover, technically, Nayeem proved to be more efficient than the experienced campaigners in the team – solid on the back foot and an astute defence earned him accolades on Day 1. His resilience helped the Tigers to get out of the mess and get past 300 runs.

The first impression is always the best impression and many in Bangladesh believe this, still today. If any one impresses a Bangladeshi at first sight, they think, the person would deliver the goods in future. On Day 1, the impression about Nayeem was such and interestingly, he struck gold on Day 2 at Chattogram.

On Day 2, Nayeem essayed a world record by becoming the youngest cricketer in the history of Tests to take five wickets on debut. His bowling figure reads: 14-2-61-5. Nayeem broke the record of Australia’s Pat Cummins who took five wickets on debut against South Africa in 2011 at the age of 18 years and 193 days.

Also read: The fury of Shannon Gabriel and importance of footwork

Obviously, from a Bangladeshi point of view, the thought of first impression is the best impression cut an impressive figure at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium. We, the Bangladeshis, thought, Nayeem would deliver more according to our expectations on Day 2 and he not only did it but straightway, entered in the record books.

For a spinner to bag wickets, needs to have a big heart. He needs to have the heart of a Lion. Otherwise, he might have to repent for his temperament. He needs to shun the mentally of bowling flatter despite getting hit. He does not need to care about getting hit, but continue to give enough air and flight to his deliveries.

Shimron Hetmyer was batting as a man possessed and so was Shane Dowrich. The runs were flowing thick and fast and the young Nayeem was taken to the cleaners. The boy had just plucked two wickets in his debut and was pumped up to devour more. But Hetmyer would not care who the hell Nayeem, Shakib or Taijul was! He was out there to create a havoc and smashed each an every Bangladesh spinners, which came in his way. Dancing feet, high back-lift, risk-but-murderous strokes – Hetmyer was unstoppable.    

Nayeem was hit for boundaries and sixes, but still, he was never afraid to toss the ball up and vary his flight. He persisted his attacking line, which was not wider-outside-off, but outside the offstump and top of off. He pulled the length back as he was not swayed by the emotion to bowl fast and full, which many young spinners do and get hit, and thus, delivered a tad slower and tried to impart sharp-turn by using the spin-finger more.

His line-and-length enticed the batters to drive and invite trouble. His big heart and an attacking mindset helped him to reap a rich harvest.  Certainly, the 17-year old is an exciting package – different in attitude and technically astute.

A wonder kid, who is blessed with a head on his shoulders and knows very well of what he is doing at a very young age. Expecting much better things from him in the upcoming days.     

Note: This article has been published at Cricketsoccer on 23/11/2018 Nayeem Hasan: The 17-year old with a big heart

Thank You

Faisal Caesar 

     

The fury of Shannon Gabriel and importance of footwork

Shannon Gabriel was furious, but the technique of Bangladesh’s experienced campaigners was not good……

 

 The fury of Big Shannon Gabriel is nothing new to Bangladesh. A few months back, at Antigua, on Day 3, Gabriel packed-off Bangladesh cheaply to finish things off within three days. Jason Holder overshadowed Gabriel and Kemar Roach in the second outing at Jamaica, but Gabriel was the name of terror for the Bangladeshi batsmen. Bangladesh were expecting the same at Chottogram and after tea, the big boy was breathing fire like an angry dragon.

Mominul Haque was at his pristine best in a venue where he announced his arrival with a counterattacking 181 against New Zealand five years ago. Beautiful drives and well-timed punches of the little man left the spectators spell-bound until he decided to poke at a delivery, which was moving away from him at pace, without using his feet. Shane Dowrich caught the ball safely and the visitors breathed a sigh of relief to see the end of Mominul.      

Two balls later, the little Mushfiqur Rahim decided to move forward at a Gabriel delivery, which was coming in and ended up being trapped lbw. Wrong use of footwork was evident and it was repeated by Mahmudullah Riyad in Gabriel’s next over.

Another fast delivery beat the dust, posed a threat to rip through Riyad’s defence and ultimately it did breach his defence as, like Mushfiq, his initial movement was on the front foot rather than back. Then the skipper, Shakib Al Hasan, committed the same mistake by attempting to punch one off the front foot and left a gap between bat and pad – the ball, delivered from an angle round the wicket, zipped in to kiss the edge first and then disturb the woodwork.  

All of a sudden, the nightmare at Antigua started to show its ugly face at Chottogram.

216 for 3 became 235 for 7 and it seemed all the hard works would be wasted.

But the young guns of Bangladesh were in no intention to bat with paralyzed-feet. While the experienced and senior batters of Bangladesh were quite paraplegic against the pace and fury of Gabriel, the likes of Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam and the young debutante Nayeem Hasan were blessed with a better motor function of the lower limb.

In the 67th over of the day, Gabriel dished out a ferocious short-ball, which would have left the best batsmen at bay, Miraz went on the back foot quickly, shifted his balance a bit on the offstump and executed a hook shot – if any shot could describe boldness in today’s cricket, then it was that hook shot. You just don’t witness hook shots these days – or, many are not brave enough to play it. But Miraz showed, he is a cricketer of a different category -  always eager to improve technically and temperamentally.

The tail-enders like Taijul and Naim would also exhibit the initial trigger movement on the back foot rather than front, which allowed them to go behind the line of the delivery earlier. Their defence was solid and at times, executed some brilliant strokes, which ultimately dragged Bangladesh out of the mess. The young boy Nayeem deserves a lot of accolades for displaying the tough temperament in his very first Test. He was unfazed the deceptive pace of West Indian fast bowlers and his batting technique and foot movement against pace is better than an Imrul Kayes or a Mahmudullah Riyad. The boy has hit the jackpot at first hand.

Anyhow, the matter is all about footwork. Your footwork will help you to survive against pace bowlers. Neither a paraplegic foot nor the initial movement of the front foot would help a batsman to counter pace bowling, but the ability to get on the back foot would. The initial trigger movement of the back foot not only helps to get behind the line of the ball, but it aids to get on top of the bounce as well.

The majority of the deliveries of Shannon Gabriel were either from the back-of-a-length or good-length, which zipped off the surface and nipped back in against right-handers and moved away from the lefties. Had Mominul, Mushfiq or Riyad was using their feet with authority, Gabriel might not have unleashed fear in that eventful post-tea session.    

Kudos to the courage and technique of Bangladesh tail, they were able to post a fighting total on Day 1 with two wickets in hand, still.  

Note: This article has been published at Cricketsoccer on 22/11/2018 The fury of Shannon Gabriel and importance of footwork

Thank You

Faisal Caesar 

A morale victory for Zimbabwe

A heavy defeat for Zimbabwe at Mirpur, but they would leave Bangladesh with great satisfaction….

 Kyle Jarvis wanted to clear the distance against a tossed-up delivery from Mihedy Hasan Miraz, but the ball landed safely in the hands of Khaled Ahmed. The Bangladesh dressing room and fans breathed a sigh of relief as the hosts levelled the series. Miraz fetched five wickets, while the hero of first innings for Zimbabwe, Brendan Taylor, left the field amid applauds from the spectators present at Mirpur. Taylor’s twin hundreds at Mirpur and the fighting spirit of team Zimbabwe are indicating of a new sunshine.  

A bit more resolve might have helped Zimbabwe to see-off the fifth day at Mirpur. But one needs to keep in mind, Zimbabwe don't play enough Test matches like their counterpart, and to achieve that resolve to exhibit in five-day matches, a team needs to play Test cricket regularly. Sadly, Zimbabwe don't play enough of Test matches. 

Zimbabwe had not been the bashing-boys like the limited-overs encounter, but in turn, they dished out a brand new, never-say-die spirit, for which, the hosts were not prepared for.  Neither the fans nor the experts expected such a display from the visitors.

In my opinion, this 2-match Test series is a morale victory for Zimbabwe.

They have tested the hosts, who were much more superior to them and despite the absence of Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan, Bangladesh boasted with players to beat  Zimbabwe – it was evident in the limited-overs contest. As soon as the Test series started off in Sylhet, Zimbabwe turned the tables upside down. The skill and temperament of Sean Williams, Peter Moor, Brendan Taylor, Tendai Chatara, Mavuta and Kyle Jarvis outshone the experience of Bangladesh cricketers. Astonishingly and rather deservingly, Zimbabwe took a 1-0 lead.  

Also read: Taylor and Moore’s fightback should inspire Zimbabwe      

The second Test went to the fifth day and it might not have been possible if Brendan Taylor and Peter Moore did not fightback in style to dent the Bangladesh attack. They batted throughout the third day and conveyed the message to all, they are here to fight and not surrender easily.

Zimbabwe proved to be a hard nut to crack since the first ball was bowled in the inaugural Test match at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium. At Sylhet, they batted with enough grit, while bowled with enough intent to knock the Tigers out of the park – it was a victory of spirit over adversity. They brought the spirit back in Mirpur and despite the scoreboard pressure and one-man down, the African Nation denied to bog down against the guile of Taijul Islam and Mehidy Hasan Miraz.

Since 2003, nothing has gone right for Zimbabwe. Political turmoil and at the same time, financial crises, left Zimbabwe cricket at bay. The once feared giant killers of world cricket hit the rock bottom in the course of time. But somehow, the passion to play cricket remained alive and despite all those setbacks since the last fifteen years, Zimbabwe tried harder to rediscover themselves in this topsy-turvy world of international cricket.

All those setbacks, sacrifices and hard work were evident in the Test series against Bangladesh. Team Zimbabwe deserves more opportunities to play Test matches and only then, they would be able to establish themselves as a force to be reckoned.

The top cricketing nations need to step forward for the betterment of a cricket nation, who, once upon a time, enriched world cricket with their entertaining exhibitions and have gifted cricket the likes of Andy Flower, Grant Flower, Heath Streak, Alastair Campbell and Raymond Price.     

Test cricket can’t just be competitive with just one India, Australia, England or South Africa; but to be competitive and exciting enough like the 90s, the betterment of teams like Zimbabwe is highly important. They are improving and the big fishes need to lend a helping hand for their further progression. 

Note: This article has been published at Cricketsoccer on 15/11/2018 A morale victory for Zimbabwe

Thank You
Faisal Caesar 

Taylor and Moore’s fightback should inspire Zimbabwe

Brendan Taylor and Peter Moor dished out an inspiring fightback, which should motivate Zimbabwe……

“It’s not over. It’s certainly not. But it’s going to be a monumental challenge for us to even draw this game. We’ve batted 105 overs. If we bat four sessions, that’s 120 overs on day five. Realistically, it will be a miracle for us to draw this game, but we have to have the belief that we have the batters and mental strength to do that”

Brendan Taylor

Neither Zimbabwe have a Sir Vivian Richards nor a Gordon Greenidge in their batting line-up, who would go out ther to challenge the humungous score of Bangladesh in the first innings by smashing daddy hundreds. But one thing for sure,  this Zimbabwe team is blessed with some fighting characters, who just don’t bog down under pressure. The boys know their limitations and don’t try to do anything beyond that, but unleash their tenacity, whenever it is required. It was evident in Sylhet and once again, it earned the accolades at Mirpur.

The ball was still hard and new. Mahmudullah wanted to exploit the early morning moisture and engaged Mustafizur Rahman and Khaled Ahmed from both ends. Khaled was aggressive and banged the ball shorter to hit Chari’s helmet for the second time, while Fizz bowled on top of off and moved the cherry away from the batters  – more on a good length and tad fuller at times, which squared the batters. The first one hour was testing, but no wickets fell.

In Test matches, leaving the ball bears a lot of weight and for the Test teams who lack the world’s best batsmen in their batting line-up, it becomes more important for them, especially when they are batting in reply to opposition’s 500-plus score.  Zimbabwe’s Brian Chari and nightwatchman, Donald Tiripano were not feeling comfortable against Kahled and Fizz in the morning session, what they did was, leaving the ball as much as possible – occupying the crease was the order of the day and it was their way of displaying their fighting nature.

It took Bangladesh 50 minutes to force a breakthrough. Who else but Taijul Islam dismissed Tiripano and it brought Brendan Taylor at the crease.

The scoring rate increased.

Chari decided to attack and smashed two sixes off Taijul and Khaled, while the boundaries started to flow simultaneously, but it did not bring anything good for Zimbabwe, who were needed to exhibit resolve rather than an aggressive intent. 96 for 2 became 131 for 5 in the twinkle of an eye and it was up to Brendan Taylor display his composure like Mushfiqur Rahim exhibited on Day 1.

Peter Moor, whose patience bore fruit in Sylhet accompanied Taylor at the other end, but this time around, he was the man to feed the composure of his partner.  

Taylor held one end firm. The highlight of his innings was the way he read the flight of Taijul and Mehidy Hasan Miraz. His sweep shot against a well-floated Mehidy delivery in the 40th over of the day indicated about the control over his shot. The ball raced towards the square-leg boundary for four. Taijul tried his sliders to unsettle Taylor, but his ability to read the ball from the bowler’s hand earlier than his other teammates, allowed him to go behind the line and block them firmly. His small strides against Taijul was another important thing, which made it easier to leak runs – some of them were dispatched for boundaries.

He switched to a strike-rotation mode, when five wickets fell. He kept it simple – use your feet well enough and get behind the line as much as possible – the runs will come.

The runs came and the partnership with Moor frustrated Bangladesh and at one point it seemed, Zimbabwe might end the day without losing further wickets. Moor trusted his defence a lot and targeted to blunt the attack by dealing with boundaries, which came at regular intervals. He waited for the loose-balls and whenever he got those, they either sailed over the infield or pierced the gaps with an absolute surgical precision.

It was all about complimenting each other. If Moor fed on Taylor’s composure, then Taylor utilized Moor’s fluency, as it forced Mahmudullah to set a defensive field, which made strike-rotation easier for Taylor.  

A stand of 139 runs was scripted where Moor contributed 83 runs facing 114 balls and Taylor 55 runs facing 104 balls. Of course, they were aided by some sloppy fielding, but that can’t undermine their gallant effort.

Taylor carried on after Moor’s departure, but in a crucial passage of play, Taylor lost his cool and attempted a slog sweep, which was caught in the outfield in an astonishing fashion by Taijul. A defiant knock could not be an epic one at the end of Day 3.

But nevertheless, Moor and, especially, Taylor have given Zimbabwe the slightest of hope of survival in this Test, in which, Bangladesh are all set to win. Their effort should inspire Zimbabwe. They lasted 105 overs in the first innings and a bit more resolve can be beneficial for them. It is an extremely tough task, but Taylor and Moor’s efforts should motivate others.     

 

Note: This article has been published at Cricketsoccer on 13/11/2018  Taylor and Moore’s fightback should inspire Zimbabwe 

Thank You

Faisal Caesar 

Mahmudullah Riyad needs to pull up his socks in Test matches

Mahmudullah Riyad’s poor form is a worry for Bangladesh……

 The second day of the second Test between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe at Mirpur belongs to Mushfiqur Rahim. The pocket-sized dynamo registered his name in the record books after scripting a double hundred. He carried on his cautious approach on Day 2, even though, against a tiring Zimbabwean attack, Mushfiq was needed to accelerate as because, Bangladesh were not in trouble like yesterday and thus, batting slowly seemed a pretty negative approach. 

Bangladesh’s target was to instill fatigue among the visitors and post a big total in the first innings to gain a psychological advantage. But if Bangladesh are thinking of winning this Test, it was important to save time to force a result – if Zimbabwe, who have nothing to lose, start to grind, those slow passages of play might haunt Bangladesh badly. And for which, acceleration was needed and a timely declaration might have been even better.

As the fielding coach of Zimbabwe team, Shepherd Makunura said, “I think the game is still evenly poised, although Bangladesh batted quite well. It's all going to depend on how well we bat tomorrow, especially the first session. If we can negotiate the first session, we can make life a little easier for ourselves. It's going to take a lot of batting for us”.

Anyhow, in the subcontinent, for the sake of personal landmarks, the outcome of a Test had been ignored on many occasions. So, waiting for a Mushfiq double hundred or a Mehidy Hasan Miraz half-century was not surprising. Mushfiq finally bagged a double ton and with that, he became the first wicket-keeper in the history of Test cricket to essay two double hundreds.  

Also read: Mahmudullah: The unsung hero of Bangladesh cricket

  

Again, Mushfiq is the sixth batsman in the history to break the record of a country’s highest individual score twice. He would be accompanied by the likes of Sir Don Bradman, George Headley, Vinoo Mankand, Virender Sehwag and Brian Lara in that elite list of batsmen. Moreover, Mushfiq has faced most of the deliveries (421 balls) and stayed at the crease for the longest period (589 minutes) by a Bangladesh batsman.     

While Mushfiq was cruising towards his milestone, Mehidy Hasan went on to script a half-century and at one point it seemed, Bangladesh captain Mahmudullah Riyad would wait for Mehidy’s hundred as well. But thankfully, he declared and gave his bowlers 18 overs to test the Zimbabwean batsmen. The Tigers fetched one wicket and on a track, which gave evidence of an uneven bounce, the batsmen of visiting team negotiated quite well.

The stay of Mushfiq at the crease worked as a tonic for Mominul Haque and Mehidy Hasan, but it should have acted as a catalyst for Mahmudullah as well. With Shakib Al Hasan unavailable as the Test captain and reluctant to lead and play five-day matches, Mahmudullah might be the obvious choice as Test captain in future. And thus, he needs to lead from the front with the bat and as a tactician on the field as well.

On a day, where Bangladesh scored runs in plenty, one expected Mahmudullah to cash in and erase his lean patch like Mominul. Like Mominul, his batting performance in five-day matches have been very poor.

In 2018, including this Test, Mahmudullah has played six Test matches where he averages 21.13 and scored just 169 runs. His highest score is 83 not out, which was scripted on a graveyard-for-the-bowlers-deck in Chottogram against Sri Lanka at the start of this year.  0, 4, 0, 16 and 36 are his scores in the last five innings and since that 83 not out, the next five innings read: 28, 17, 6, 0 and 15. Not so pretty numbers for a man, who is dubbed as the next Test captain and is also one of the vital cogs of Bangladesh batting line-up.

Since that Test match against Sri Lanka at Chottogram at the start of this year, Mahmudullah had been bowled and trapped leg before once, while got caught behind and by others in the rest of the nine innings!  

Mahmudullah’s problems against the deliveries outside offstump and turning deliveries are evident these days. He is not using his feet enough when the ball is pitched up by the pace bowlers and has forgotten to leave the ones which lands on the offstump line and moves away, whereas, tries to dominate the spinners with a haphazard approach – either comes out of the crease to smash or attempts to sweep without even getting into an ideal position, which has resulted in an ugly lean patch. Even today, he was undone by a delivery, which was going away from his body from an offstump line – he poked at it and was caught behind  – the dismissal of a man, who has forgotten to keep his bat inside the line.

There are chinks in his technique and those can be corrected if Mahmudullah wishes to work on them. He is known as a hardworking cricketer. Sadly, his batting displays in five-day matches don’t hint that he is working enough on his insufficiencies.  But, Mahmudullah needs to pull his socks up and rediscover his mojo. He needs to overcome his shortcomings. 

Note: This article has been published at Cricketsoccer on 12/11/2018 Mahmudullah Riyad needs to pull up his socks in Test matches

Thank You 

Faisal Caesar     

Mushfiqur Rahim batting at number 5 benefits Bangladesh

Sanity prevailed in Mirpur as Mushfiqur Rahim came out to bat at number five and Bangladesh have been highly benefited……

At Sylhet, in the first Test against Zimbabwe, Mushfiqur Rahim’s decision to bat at number six was not welcomed by the critics. Being the best batsman of the team and in the absence of Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal, a lot of responsibilities depended on Mushfiq. The best batsman of the side should bat higher up the order, that is what the batsmen of top teams do.

The Zimbabwean bowlers set jitters in the Bangladesh batting order as four wickets fell in a matter of time and when Mushfiq came out to bat at number six in both innings, he had no genuine batsmen left to carry on the fight.   

Logic says, Mushfiq should have come out to bat either at number four or five, which would have not only given Bangladesh batting the ideal balance but also, would have helped to arrest the painful collapses. There is a school of thought, for the sake of keeping wickets, Mushfiq prefers to bat at number six, which sounds funny, but as a matter of fact, the numbers suggest, he has scored more runs batting at number six and seven.

While batting at number six, he averages 37.18, which is way better than 26.31 – batting at number 4, 32.55 – batting at number 5 and 32.55 – batting at number 7. Moreover, last year, he averaged more than 50, while batting at number six. So, his decision to bat at number six is well-backed by the numbers.

But in fact, numbers cannot always be considered as the only important thing according to the demand of the situation. When your team demands responsibility, you need to shun emotions and forget about the numbers and act accordingly. Also, in the absence of the vital cog - Shakib, along with whom Mushfiq batted most of the times at number six and seven to boost his numbers,  it was the order of the day for Mushfiq to promote himself high up the order.

In Sylhet, it did not happen, but sanity prevailed at Mirpur, where Mushfiq came out to bat in a very critical situation and stabilized the situation with composure.  

Kyle Jarvis started to move the ball and his seam-up deliveries left the Bangladesh top-order in disarray. Imrul Kayes and Liton Kumar Das were devoured by the sharp movement and when Donald Tiripano had the better of debutante Mohammad Mithun, it seemed, Bangladesh would fail to surpass 200 runs in ninth consecutive innings.

Thankfully, Mushfiq came out to bat at number five. The first ball he faced from Tiripano was a-length-one, which seamed, but Mushfiq shouldered arms and left it. It was close enough, but not closer enough to hit the stumps. That’s where the experience of Mushfiq came into play – he picked up the length earlier and decided to leave – it hinted confidence of a man, who went out there to resuscitate the innings.    

Mushfiq’s partner, Mominul Haque was finding it tough at the other end. He was dropped at 9 and 25 and never seemed to be able to get into the zone after such a horrendous run in the previous Test matches. In such a situation, Mominul badly needed assurance from the other end to flourish and Mushfiq’s decision to bat at number five simply provided Mominul with the assurance and guidance.

In the post-match interview, Mominul said, “Mushfiqur bhai guided me throughout my innings. I found out why he is one of the top five players in Bangladesh. It really affected me. I think his input was important for me. I think it is one of my best hundreds. It was an interesting innings. It was tougher than some of my other hundreds”.

Indeed a tough hundred for a man, whose numbers are pathetic in the previous innings. What such players need is guidance to travel through the troubled waters and such a guidance comes from the experienced campaigners like Mushfiq, who is arguably the best batsman of Bangladesh cricket team.

Then, when the matter was about arresting a collapse, Mushfiq played his role like a wall, which tough to break for the Zimbabwean pacers, who posed a big threat in the morning session.

The pacers pitched the ball tad fuller to use the early morning moisture and Mushfiq decided to get behind the line as much as possible to execute the drive through cover and cut through backward point region – 30 and 23 runs came respectively through those regions in comparison to 19 runs at square leg and 17 runs at midwicket – the areas, which Mushfiq loves to score runs. There were lesser through the V as it was not easy to score runs through long on and long off – the sharp movement would have kissed the edge.

But the best thing about Mushfiq’s knock was occupying the crease. Maybe, scoring slowly is not appreciated enough in this age of power-hitting, but still, when the matter is about grafting match-saving partnerships in trying circumstances, such a ploy is still as valuable as gold.

Mushfiq’s strike rate was 48 in comparison to Mominul’s 161 – the little man went slow, but his composure provided the perfect foil to Mominul’s fluency, who brought an end to his lean patch and at the end of day, Mushfiq remained not out on 111 – his first hundred since that eye-catching ton against India last year in Hyderabad.

Certainly, Mushfiq batting at number five helped Bangladesh a lot. 

Note: This article has been published at Cricketsoccer  on 11/10/2018 Mushfiqur Rahim batting at number 5 benefits Bangladesh

Thank You

Faisal Caesar 

Bangladesh need to ask themselves whether they are interested to play Test cricket or not

Bangladesh’s poor show in Test cricket continues…….

110, 123, 43, 144, 149, 168, 143 and 169!

These are not Virat Kohli, Joe Root or Kane Williamson’s individual scores in a Test match, but the totals of a team, where eleven men failed to surpass 200 runs in eight consecutive Test innings. Moreover, in the last 26 Test series, the team has failed to win one as the last series victory came in 2014 against Zimbabwe.

This is the story of Bangladesh, who were extremely upbeat to achieve the coveted Test status 18 years ago. They achieved the Test status in 2000, but sadly, the story has not been satisfactory as it should have been. Moreover, at present, it seems, the Bangladesh cricketers are not interested enough to wear white cloth.    

Bangladesh just needed enough application on Day 4 of the first Test at Sylhet. The wicket did not crumble and the ball was not posing a threat like the spitting cobras. It was still a very good wicket to bat on and it would be a stupidity to blame the deck, which was a standard Test match wicket.

The new ball moved as usual in the morning session and Bangladesh openers, yet again, exposed their edges, but this time around, luck favoured them as the Zimbabwean fielders dropped two catches within 20 minutes of play.

Even luck was favouring the home team.

Also read: An uphill task for Bangladesh, but nothing is impossible

Kyle Jarvis was the epitome of discipline in the morning. He consistently attacked the stumps and extracted movement from a full-length. It was a testing session for the openers and their shaky stay at the crease scripted fifty runs, but Zimbabwe were just one wicket away from a collapse. Sikandar Raza trapped Liton Das lbw and in the twinkle of an eye, Bangladesh collapsed to 111 for 5 at lunch and lost the last five wickets within the first hour of play in the post-lunch session.

The batsmen of Bangladesh repeated the story of first innings and what is more alarming was the lack of application among the top order batters.

The way the Bangladeshi top order batsmen have been performing in the last eight innings, it simply forces a cricket follower to think whether the Tigers are interested to play Test matches or not.

Since that disastrous show at Mirpur in the second Test against Sri Lanka, Bangladesh’s progress in 50-over format has made them a force to reckon. But as soon as the format changes, Bangladesh play in such a manner as if a fish has been told to swim on the land and not water. The disinterest to play five-day matches are pretty evident among the players and surprisingly, Bangladesh forget, how grateful they are towards this Test status.

Had Bangladesh not been a Test nation, cricket might never have bloomed throughout the region like today. Still, now it would have been heavily limited to the elite divisions like Dhaka, Sylhet and Chottogram. For the Test status, Bangladesh are able to play against the big nations, which has ultimately helped them to improve.

Moreover, a team is mostly judged by their performance in five-day matches. At the end of the day, critics and experts would judge Shakib Al Hasan or Mustafizur Rahman by their contributions to Test matches. Don’t forget, people still talk and analyze about Sachin Tendulkar’s 241 at SCG more than those hundreds at  Sharjah in 1998. As because, performance in Test matches bear enough weight. Be it Clive Lloyd’s West Indies, Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting’s Australia, Imran Khan’s Pakistan or Sourav Ganguly’s India; all received accolades after uplifting their performances in five-day matches.

Bangladesh’s lacklustre attitude in Test matches has been a disgrace. Without improving in Test cricket, Bangladesh cannot think about ruling the roost in upcoming days. Their body language simply conveys the message that they are not interested to play Test cricket. Even players like Shakib and Mustafiz also expressed their lack of interest in playing Test matches.

The Tigers need to ask themselves whether they are interested to play Test cricket or not. If they are serious, then they should dig deep and improve their skills. And if they are not serious, just take a sabbatical from the format as because, Bangladesh’s lack interest to play Test matches is insulting the hardly earned Test status a lot!

Note: This article has been published at Cricketsoccer on 06/11/2018 Bangladesh need to ask themselves whether they are interested to play Test cricket or not

Thank You

Faisal Caesar