Cricket World Cup 2019: West Indies being West Indies; colourful, entertaining and energetic; but sense and sensibility needed as well

4 days, 4 thrilling encounters! The conquest at Manchester reached to an epic level when Brathwaite decided to take desperate measures. But West Indies being West Indies. A bit more sense would have bailed them out….

We experienced a week during the ongoing World Cup, when nothing was happening due to rain. Some mouth-watering contests were getting washed out leaving the fans and critics bemused. We can’t control the whims of weather, but of course, we can take necessary steps to prevent matches from meeting such a sad end.

 “We put men on the moon, so why can't we have a reserve day, when actually this tournament is a long tournament”, Steve Rhodes asked International Cricket Council at the press conference, when weather forced Bangladesh to split points against Sri Lanka – a match, which the Tigers could have won. India and Pakistan experienced the same frustrations as the World Cup started to become an event, which is controlled by the whims of weather.

But after a lull, came the days, when each and everyone fell in love with 50-over cricket, yet again.

4 days, 4 thrillers!

The Cricket World Cup 2019 burst into life.   

In a do or die encounter against New Zealand, South Africa, yet again, crumbled under pressure. The Sri Lankan Lions would come from nowhere to shock England in a low-scoring thriller at Trent Bridge, while the minnows Afghanistan; would give mighty India the scare, for which they were not even prepared for. In a tense last over, Mohammed Shami bagged a hat-trick to calm the Indian nerves and while the fans were recovering from the stress of that heart-racing encounter at Southampton, New Zealand and West Indies would gift them a wealth of stress at a moment, when the match was all but lost.

At 164 for 7, the West Indian hopes not only diminished but the damp squib amid the thrilling encounters in the past few days, actually was not fitting appropriately. The focus shifted to Sao Paolo, where the Samba Boys were thrashing Peru. It was the match, where Brazil desperately needed to reply to the boos of fans back in Salvador, Bahia. And they did it in style – agility, aggression and fluid football were unleashed as the men in yellow shorts kept on scoring goals after goals.

But someone named Carlos Brathwaite did not stop hitting the ball the West Indian way.

Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor saved New Zealand batting order yet again to post a competitive total. The West Indian reply was like Twenty20 – as if they were given the task to finish in 15 to 20 overs. Chris Gayle and Shimron Hetmyer hardly moved their feet at the crease while smothering those humungous sixes all over the park. Their intention was to deal with big boundaries rather than rotating the strike – a good ploy in the shortest formats of the game, but in longer formats, they always give the opposition an opportunity to cash in.

The New Zealand bowlers did not have to think much when West Indian batters threw away their wickets while going big.

But it is this intention to hit-everything-on-your-way; scripted one of the epic matches and memorable hundreds in the history of World Cup.

In a crazy-but-brutal-hitting in the late order, where the ball went this way and that from top edges to falt-batted swipes, Brathwaite ran Williamson and his men for their money as the game to a stage where West Indies needed 8 runs off just 12 balls. When Sheldon Cottrell was dismissed by Lockie Ferguson in the 45th over, West Indies were still 47 runs short and the novice-with-the-bat Oshane Thomas joined him.

Brathwaite would face the bulk of the deliveries in the last five overs. In the 48th over, he would take Matt Henry to the cleaners, milking 25 runs in one over – it was the hitting of highest quality as if a Giant from the stories of Arabian Nights was devouring his brutishly. Even a miscued pull, dragged from outside off, disappeared in the deep square leg fence.  Full-length, good-length, low-full-toss or short-of-length at pace or reducing the pace – nothing mattered.         

Brathwaite had changed the scenario in just 3 overs. I repeat, just three overs!

Let the buzz in Sao Paolo gain momentum, Manchester deserves more attention than ever.

A historic moment was all set to take place!

The ever calm and composed Williamson kept on discussing with his bowlers on which length they should bowl and how to set the field. Already, Brathwaite has taken him to a position, where you have no idea left to execute. But still, Willaimson is not someone to give up. He and his team have been riding on luck since that meeting against Bangladesh at the Oval, but to exploit that slice of luck, you need to plan accordingly.

Willaimson threw the ball to Jimmy Nesham and adjusted his field by keeping more men at deep on the onside. The onside field from that position was a bit larger than any other corners of the field and Brathwaite’s habit of clearing the distance through midwicket, square leg and long on prompted Kane to stack the onside field. Williamson sensed, Brathwaite would not go for strike-rotation, but finish things off with one single-big-hit.

Neesham kept the line in-and-around offside. Neesham’s first ball was short outside off from a short of length, which Brathwaite tapped to extra-cover – the field who was brought inside along with mid-off to stop singles and prompt Brathwaite to commit a false stroke. The next delivery was similar but with a reduction in pace. Brathwaite went to pull but failed. It would have been better if he played through offside finely for a single or couple.

But Brathwaite is a West Indian and he would play his way. The next ball was certainly pulled towards midwicket for a couple as he celebrated a marvellous hundred. Neesham decides to go for a legcutter, a bit wide, from short of a length and deceived Brathwaite. Both the bowler and batsman looked towards umpire thinking of whether it was called a wide or not.

To the satisfaction of Neesham the umpires did not call it a wide, but it made Brathwaite restless. He would attempt another pull shot against a short ball, but at long on, Trent Boult would keep his calm to grab the catch. Heartbreak for Brathwaite. He went down on his knees. Neesham soaked up the pressure like a sponge. Taylor and Willaimson would console Brathwaite, like Grant Elliot and Kiwis did to Dale Steyn four years ago. The spirit of cricket was alive and kicking, but West Indies and Brathwaite would not forget this missed opportunity.

So close yet, so far!

Inches away from glory!

The story could have been different, had Brathwaite and other West Indian batters not only depended on clean-hitting but strike-rotation as well. They lost by just five runs and those five runs could have been achieved by giving a bit more focus on fetching singles and couples.         

Note: This article has been published at Cricketsoccer on 23/06/2019 West Indies being West Indies; colourful, entertaining and energetic; but sense and sensibility needed as well

Thank You

Faisal Caesar 

The Heartbreak of Edgbaston: Australia vs. South Africa, 1999 World Cup Semifinal

Cricket’s rich history is punctuated by matches that transcend the sport, becoming folklore. The 1999 World Cup semi-final between Australia and South Africa at Edgbaston is one such epic. With stakes sky-high and nerves stretched to breaking point, the match unfolded as a tale of grit, drama, and heartbreak, culminating in a moment that would define an era. 

The Build-Up: Two Titans on a Collision Course

Both teams entered the semi-final with contrasting trajectories. Australia, bruised by early losses to Pakistan and New Zealand, had clawed their way back with a shift in attitude and a Steve Waugh-led resurgence. South Africa, in contrast, had been dominant throughout, barring a shocking loss to Zimbabwe. The stage was set for a clash of titans, and the weather at Edgbaston added a sombre, tense backdrop. 

For Shane Warne, the stakes were personal. On the eve of the match, he reportedly declared it could be his final international outing if Australia failed to advance. The psychological weight of his words hung heavy, charging the atmosphere further. 

Australia’s Innings: A Battle Against the Swing

Winning the toss, South African captain Hansie Cronje inserted Australia to bat, banking on overcast conditions and his potent bowling attack. Shaun Pollock struck immediately, removing Mark Waugh in his first over. As Ricky Ponting and Adam Gilchrist sought to stabilize, Allan Donald entered the fray, dismissing both in a fiery first spell. 

At 68 for 4, Australia’s hopes rested on Steve Waugh and Michael Bevan. Waugh, fresh from his heroics at Headingley, played with characteristic grit, flicking and driving with precision. Bevan, the consummate finisher, ensured the scoreboard ticked over. Together, they added 90 runs, dragging Australia from the abyss. 

However, Pollock’s return in the death overs proved decisive. He dismissed Waugh and Tom Moody in quick succession, while Donald’s pace cleaned up the tail. Bevan’s unbeaten 65 lent respectability to Australia’s total of 213, but it felt fragile against South Africa’s formidable batting lineup. 

South Africa’s Response: A Tale of Two Halves 

Gary Kirsten and Herschelle Gibbs began confidently, cruising to 48 without loss. Glenn McGrath and Damien Fleming struggled to extract anything from the surface, and Steve Waugh, sensing the need for inspiration, turned to Shane Warne. 

Warne’s second ball was a masterpiece, evoking memories of his "Ball of the Century." It pitched outside leg and turned prodigiously to clip the top of Gibbs’ off-stump. The leg-spinner, animated and fired up, ignited Australia’s fightback. His spell dismantled South Africa’s top order, removing Kirsten and Cronje in quick succession. 

When Bevan’s brilliance in the field accounted for Daryll Cullinan, South Africa found themselves cornered. Yet, Jacques Kallis and Jonty Rhodes mounted a spirited recovery, their 84-run partnership bringing them within touching distance of the target. 

The Klusener Show: A One-Man Army

At 175 for 6, with 39 runs needed off five overs, Lance Klusener strode to the crease, carrying South Africa’s hopes. Throughout the tournament, he had been a force of nature, and Edgbaston was no exception. Despite losing partners regularly, Klusener’s brute force and clarity of thought kept South Africa in the hunt. 

The equation boiled down to nine runs off the final over. Fleming, entrusted with the ball, faced the daunting task of containing Klusener. The first two deliveries disappeared through the covers for boundaries, leaving South Africa needing just one run from four balls. Victory seemed inevitable. 

The Meltdown: A Moment of Madness

Pressure, however, can undo the best-laid plans. On the third ball, Klusener mistimed a drive to mid-on, but Donald, caught in the chaos, set off for a non-existent single. Darren Lehmann’s throw missed the stumps by a whisker, granting South Africa a reprieve. 

The fourth ball proved catastrophic. Klusener, desperate to seal the win, drove straight to mid-off and took off for a single. Donald, oblivious to his partner’s intentions, stood frozen, then turned to run but lost his bat in the scramble. Fleming, calm amidst the frenzy, under-armed the ball to Adam Gilchrist, who dislodged the bails. 

The match ended in a tie, but Australia advanced to the final on account of their superior Super Six standings. The South Africans were left devastated, their World Cup dream shattered. 

Analysis: The Anatomy of a Classic

The Edgbaston semi-final was more than just a game; it was a psychological duel played under immense pressure. Australia’s resilience, epitomized by Warne’s brilliance and Waugh’s leadership, clashed with South Africa’s flair and Klusener’s heroics. 

Yet, it was the fragility of human nerves that defined the outcome. Donald’s hesitation and Klusener’s misjudgment highlighted the unforgiving nature of cricket, where a single moment can rewrite history. 

 Legacy: A Match for the Ages

For Australia, the victory marked a turning point. They carried the momentum to Lord’s, where they clinched the World Cup, beginning an era of dominance. For South Africa, it was another chapter in their tragic World Cup saga, a tale of unfulfilled potential and heartbreak. 

As Steve Waugh later reflected, “No one deserved to lose such a great game.” Yet, cricket’s cruel arithmetic dictated otherwise. Edgbaston 1999 remains etched in memory as the greatest one-day match ever played, a timeless reminder of the sport’s beauty and brutality. 

Thank You

Faisal Caesar 

The Resilience of Bangladesh: A Literary Analysis of an Epic Cricket Encounter

Amid an oppressive heatwave blanketing Dhaka, life has seemingly come to a standstill, leaving its citizens yearning for a reprieve from the sweltering humidity. As rain played a coy game of hide-and-seek in England, stifling the World Cup festivities, the people of Bangladesh turned their eyes skyward, pleading for the clouds to deliver their long-awaited blessing. It appeared that the Almighty, in His infinite wisdom, was testing the patience of the Bangladeshi populace, reserving a special gift for an occasion steeped in significance.

The sun finally emerged in Taunton, England, where a fervent congregation of Bangladesh cricket fans gathered, ready to rally behind their beloved Tigers as they faced the West Indies in a match of paramount importance. Following two back-to-back defeats, the weight of expectation hung heavy on their shoulders; the very existence of the team seemed threatened. Yet, their recent successes against the Caribbeans offered a glimmer of hope, suggesting that redemption was within reach.

A Gamble on the Toss

Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, the captain, won the toss and opted to field first. This decision, while courageous, raised eyebrows, especially in light of the recent outcomes of other matches. The pitch at Taunton promised to slow down as the day progressed, and with formidable opponents like Gabriel, Thomas, Cottrell, and Holder on the other side, batting first appeared to be a more prudent choice. Historically, teams batting first had enjoyed greater success in this tournament, adding weight to the argument against the Tigers' decision.

However, despite the initial setbacks as West Indian batsmen attacked with reckless abandon in the middle overs, Bangladesh exhibited commendable composure. They tightened their grip, showcasing excellent fielding, and succeeded in keeping the West Indies to a challenging total of just under 350 runs. While the target was daunting, the mindset of the Bangladeshi batsmen had undergone a transformation. Their recent victories against the Caribbeans instilled a newfound confidence, suggesting that they could tackle the challenges ahead with resilience.

The Invincible Shakib Al Hasan

Amidst the ups and downs of the innings, the spotlight shone brightly on Shakib Al Hasan. After the early dismissals of Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim, it was the relatively overlooked Liton Kumar Das who partnered with Shakib, igniting the innings. Shakib’s performance was nothing short of extraordinary; he appeared as if he had descended from the heavens, embodying an indomitable spirit that whispered, "Impossible is Nothing." 

Shakib’s approach to the game reflects the essence of a flawed genius: he embraces risks, exploring the boundaries of possibility with audacity. Like Cristiano Ronaldo in football, he challenges conventions, showcasing a unique style that leaves spectators in awe. His strokes were a masterclass in timing and placement, as he expertly dispatched short-pitched deliveries and crafted elegant shots through the covers. His wrists and forearms seemed to wield an almost mythical power, transforming each strike into art.

The Class of Liton Kumar Das

Alongside Shakib, Liton Kumar Das emerged as a revelation. His talent had often been overshadowed by criticism, but in Taunton, he seized the opportunity to shine. Displaying a remarkable command over backfoot play, Liton sent cannonballs soaring into the stratosphere, crafting an electrifying innings of 94 runs off just 69 balls. His partnership with Shakib, a remarkable 189 runs for the fourth wicket, anchored Bangladesh’s chase.

Shakib completed his second consecutive century of the tournament—a feat devoid of sixes but adorned with 16 exquisite boundaries and exceptional strike rotation. Together, they not only secured victory but also etched their names in the annals of World Cup history as Bangladesh became the first team ever to chase a target of over 300 runs with more than 50 balls to spare.

A Celestial Celebration

As the duo led Bangladesh towards a glorious triumph, dark clouds gathered ominously over Dhaka. The heavens seemed to echo the triumphant roars of the Tigers, and soon, rain cascaded down, soothing the parched city. In this moment of catharsis, the people of Dhaka celebrated the monumental victory, grateful for the dual blessing of rain and sport.

In the grand tapestry of cricket, such moments are woven with threads of resilience, hope, and joy. The Almighty indeed saves the best gifts for special occasions, and on this day, the people of Bangladesh revelled not just in victory but in a deeper connection to their team's spirit—a spirit that rises from the ashes, embodies defiance, and forever believes that the impossible can be achieved.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar  

Cricket World Cup 2019: Mashrafe Bin Mortaza needs to buck up!

England have scripted a comprehensive victory against Bangladesh and back to back defeats would obviously hamper the confidence of the Tigers. Now, it's time for Mashrafe Bin Mortaza to lead from the front. He is having a very mediocre tournament by his standards and it is time for Mash to buck up!

England have a revolution in the 50-over format since last World Cup down-under. Led by Eoin Morgan England shrugged off their defensive approach in Oneday International (ODI) Cricket and embraced the fearless brand, which was absent more often since they started off their journey in limited-overs format. In the past, they did win matches, but all those used to get overshadowed by some disgraceful defeats. But England changed and thankfully they changed into a team, which can crush any opposition ruthlessly. Not surprisingly, they are the number 1 team in the ICC ODI rankings.

Obviously, before facing England, a team, which rank 7th in the current ICC ODI rankings, would not even fancy themselves of beating them. But mind you, that number 7 team has a good track against England in the World Cups. England beat them in 2007 but in the next two editions – 2015 and 2019, Bangladesh had overcome the English threat and in Australia, they knocked them out of the tournament. Even three years ago, they had a very fighting ODI series and drew the Test series at their own backyard. Moreover, keeping in mind the recent improvement of Tigers, one cannot write off Bangladesh so easily.

Cardiff was in a festive mood triggered by the passionate Bangladeshi fans, but in the end, it was England who scripted a comprehensive victory. That defeat against Pakistan at Trent Bridge hurt and such a dominating victory against one of the Giant Killers of the tournament is a huge boost for the English morale.

Meanwhile, after that marvelous win against South Africa and the close shave against New Zealand at the Oval, Bangladesh were expected to pose a threat. But that killer instinct was hugely absent among the Tigers. The century of Shakib Al Hasan had been the only bright spot in a dismal display. While the rest seemed a bit down. Especially, the performance of Bangladesh skipper, Mashrafe Bin Mortaza has been below-par so far.

In this particular tournament, Mash’s bowling has been ordinary.

Mashrafe’s toothless bowling

Not so long ago, Mash’s follow through set up his bowling, but it is noticed, he is not enjoying the same follow through in this tournament. And thus, he is struggling to put the ball on the slot more often and ends up delivering too short and juicy half-volleys. Neither the bowling arm is straighter enough like the past nor the seam remains in a very good position. While delivery, his head is also not remaining in the ideal position.  Moreover, he has gained weight, and perhaps, this is not helping him at all. A bowling average of 55.50 in ODIs this year tell us the poor state of Mash.

In the match against South Africa, Mash was very good as a captain despite his ordinary bowling display. Against New Zealand, alongside the toothless bowling display, loopholes in captaincy were evident and the story remained the same at Cardiff.

Ordinary captaincy

It was a good toss to win, and a tinge of green on the surface prompted Mash to bowl first.  But starting the first over with a spinner is nothing but a poor move by Mash. Even though, Cricviz says, “England struggle against spin early on. They have lost more wickets to spin in Overs 1-5 than any other team since World Cup 2015, at an average of just 14.40. Both Bairstow and Roy prefer pace,” but keeping in mind the life on the wicket, opening with a pacer would have been the ideal move.

Mustafizur Rahman and not Shakib would have been the ideal choice with the new ball.  

Fizz did show up to bowl when the ball started to lose its shine, but still at the start, he was extracting enough from the surface. As Cricviz says, “Mustafizur Rahman's cutters are a distinctive element of his game, and they have already made an impact in CWC 19. So far, 44% of his deliveries have deviated considerably off the surface, the highest percentage for any seamer in the competition”.

Many people are obsessed with the cutters of Fizz, but they do not even realize that he is well-equipped to use the new ball better than any pacers in Bangladesh cricket. From over the wicket, he get’s the natural angle to deliver the away swingers with an upright seam and a very good exponent of utilizing tracks with a tinge of green on it.  

Bangladesh had to wait for 19.1 overs to break a serene partnership between Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow. And guess what, it was a pacer and not spinner who gave the breakthrough. Meanwhile, Shakib was wasted with the new ball for 7 overs, which left Mash no option to operate his best weapon in the middle overs. England cashed in comfortably.  

At one point Mashrafe came back to bowl in middle overs from rough the wicket with no slip. Now, while bowling rough the wicket, automatically the chance for lbw diminishes and if the ploy is to kill the batsman with a different angle – deliveries moving away from the body, then, not engaging a slip does not make any sense.

Even if you don’t wish to operate with a slip, it would be better to keep a short third man rather than keeping him too deep.

Sadly, Mash applied a defensive strategy.

The runs leaked thick and fast as from the first powerplay to over 40, England piled up 176 runs at a brisk pace.

Where is Rubel Hossain?

What could have been the story, if someone like Rubel Hossain was playing! It is still not understood why someone like Saifuddin is preferred so much over a bowler, who is arguably the fastest among the Bangladeshi pacers. Many times, in these middle overs and at the death, Rubel has struck gold. Whereas, Saifuddin and his military medium-pace can hardly make Bangladesh smile. A wicket or two here and there can only justify his selection for the next matches,  but when the matter is about creating a sheer impact, Saif is nowhere near Rubel.

The strategy to attack England with spin at Cardiff where there was a chill in the air and life on the surface backfired. Shakib, Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Mosaddek all leaked runs and most importantly Shakib proved costly in the end and went wicketless.

Mash knew what the weather and deck would be and thus his plan should have been to add more firepower to his pace attack. Except for Fizz, he had no options left. Neither Mash nor Saif could pose a threat.

Wahab Riaz and Mohammad Amir showed how England could be tamed by pace. Perhaps, Mash did not even bother to notice the unique clash at Trent Bridge. Had he studied that game, the strategy for today’s game would have been different.

The pressure is on Mashrafe

Two back to back defeats and automatically, none but Mashrafe Bin Mortaza should feel the pressure. In his illustrious career, many times he has made a comeback. And this time around, it is a must. He needs to lead from the front and for which, his bowling needs to fetch wickets like the past. Obviously, as a captain, he needs to be more proactive.

It’s time to buck up Mash!

Note: This article has been published on Cricketsoccer on 08/06/2019 Mashrafe Bin Mortaza needs to buck up!

Thank You
Faisal Caesar 

Cricket World Cup 2019: Well fought Bangladesh, but.....

In the span of two days, the Cricket World Cup 2019 has gifted three classic matches out of four. On June 3, Pakistan and England fought a terrific high-scoring contest at Trent Bridge. It seemed, the low scoring matches – scores around 200 to 250 – ensuring more chances of a simmering contest would not be evident in this edition of World Cup. But after the high-scoring nail-biter at Trent Bridge, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and New Zealand stepped up to prove, the 80s and 90s flavour in ODI cricket still have not vanished completely.

 While the drama of moon-sighting committee of Bangladesh reached the level of a comical cinema, Sri Lankan bowlers were fighting hard to keep the hopes of their team alive in the tournament. The Blue Tigers from Asia clawed back into the rain-affected game match to shock the Lankan Lions by bundling them out for 201.

The target for Afghanistan was just 187 from 41 overs according to D/L method. But the Sri Lankan bowlers did not let their Asian counterpart to inflict a shocker – they escaped the Afghan scare, and what more important thing was – this World Cup bagged the first low-scoring thriller.

During the day of Eid-ul-Fitr in Bangladesh, the Tigers followed the Sri Lankan way.

Their batting had been mediocre despite some brilliant starts, and managed to post 244 in their allotted 50 overs. For the likes of Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor such a total was not supposed to trigger a migraine headache with an aura, but as the game progressed, the Bangladeshi slow-bowlers and medium-pacers stranglehold the Kiwi batting line-up. The game went down the wire as New Zealand prevailed in an absolute thriller of a contest at the Kia Oval.

As a cricket fan, I cannot but praise the fight back of both Sri Lanka and Bangladesh under pressure and neither can I ignore the efforts of New Zealand and Afghanistan. But what the matches hide is, some mind-boggling batting display by the above-mentioned teams, which won’t help to dream big.

For many experts, Bangladesh are still rated as a dangerous underdog, but those who follow Bangladesh cricket closely, realize how good this team is and they are capable of going a long way in this tournament. Mentally this unit is very positive and their intent to fight back under any circumstances, has made them a team to watch over the years.

But still, at times, the mediocrity of old days shows up and threatens to spoil the party.    

 After being invited to bat first under the dark sky at the Oval, Bangladesh’s start was steady. Kane Williamson thought his new ball bowlers would be able to extract enough movement by pitching it full enough and then exploit the bounce of the wicket to test the Bangladesh openers. The deck did have movement off the air and not surface, but one thing Williamson forgot, Tamim Iqbal and Soumya Sarkar are well-equipped to deal with full and short of a length bowling. And they were dealing New Zealand’s new ball bowlers quite confidently.

But madness followed.

 Soumya and Tamim attempted poor shots, which led to their demise. And when Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim looked set to rewrite another South-Africa-like-partnership, Mushfiq threw his wicket away by digesting a run out and then Shakib followed attempting to cut a goodish length ball from Colin de Grandhomme. The rest of the batting line-up failed to graft any productive partnerships and kept on getting out while executing some poor shots.

Even though the bowlers showed the guts to defend such a total, which could have been around 280-290 had the batters not been insensible enough. Getting out to better deliveries is one thing while walking for the pavilion after scripting a poor shot is something else. Such execution of shots only dents the confidence, which is hard-earned by defeating a top team like South Africa.

In a tough World Cup like this, it is never possible to win every match. One can show the character to convey the message, they are here to win and the Bangladesh bowlers helped to convey this message, but this inspiring fight back should not hide the mediocre batting display, which requires a hard-check and the captain’s own performance requires the same as well.

Frankly speaking, other than captaincy, in last two matches, Mashrafe Bin Mortaza's performance had been below average. Even though his bowling was toothless but field placement and bowling changes were impactful against South Africa, but against New Zealand, he looked a tad defensive as captain, and while bowling, he never looked confident enough to give a breakthrough.

Mashrafe did not engage a slip while the pacers were operating with two new batsmen at the crease. Any captain would have done that while defending such a total. Even I think, he should have gone with one slip and a short leg against the tail while operating with a spinner. It would have built pressure.

Then, despite knowing the fact, Shakib and Miraz are his strike bowlers, he should not have finished their full quota too early. With Mashrafe, himself, bowling badly, automatically, Bangladesh are one bowler short and thus, it would be important to exploit the available resources smartly.      

Note:  This article has been published at Cricketsoccer on 05/06/2019 Well fought Bangladesh, but…..

Thank You

Faisal Caesar  

The Unseen Power of Underdogs in World Cup Openers: A Case Study of Bangladesh

The World Cup has always been more than just a showcase of the world’s best teams; it’s a crucible where nerves, momentum, and sheer unpredictability play as much a role as raw talent. And if there’s one truth history has whispered time and again, it’s this: opening matches rarely go as expected. This trend spans decades, and across both football and cricket, the giants often find themselves haunted by upstart challengers—who, on any other day, might have gone unnoticed.

In 1982, Argentina arrived in Barcelona as the reigning football champions, their ranks bolstered by a young and prodigious Diego Maradona. Their opening opponents, Belgium, were not yet feared on the world stage. But in those ninety minutes, the script was flipped, and the world watched in disbelief as the Argentine machine stumbled. It wasn’t a one-off, either. In the same tournament, both West Germany and France—then European football powerhouses—met the same fate, thrown off by foes who defied every expert prediction.

This pattern of early-match nerves has surfaced repeatedly, from Brazil’s tentative 1982 start to Italy’s unexpected opening-match struggle against Bulgaria in 1986, and perhaps most famously, Argentina’s shocking defeat at the hands of Cameroon’s Omam Biyik in the opening match of Italia '90. It’s as if, on that first day, even champions cannot wholly shed the weight of expectations.  

Cricket, too, has seen this time-honoured tale of tournament openers turned on their heads. In 1987, India entered the World Cup as defending champions but faltered against an unheralded Australian side. Four years later, Australia, as favourites on their home turf, lost to a spirited New Zealand. And when Pakistan, the eventual champions, took to the field against West Indies, they suffered a resounding defeat. 

The opening match has always been a test of nerves, where skill alone isn’t enough. Even more so for Bangladesh, whose own opening-match performances in major tournaments had been fraught with heartbreak—memories of the stunning loss to Canada in 2003 still linger in the minds of fans.

Kia Oval, 2019: Bangladesh Turns the Tide

Fast forward to the 2019 Cricket World Cup at the Kia Oval, where Bangladesh prepared to face South Africa, one of the tournament's heavyweights. In the days leading up to the match, the Proteas were reeling from a loss to England. Though many anticipated a South African comeback, Bangladesh’s homegrown excitement had reached a fever pitch. The crowd, mostly Bangladeshi supporters, transformed the Oval into a mini Sher-e-Bangla stadium, giving the Tigers a sense of home advantage even in the heart of London.

Bangladesh took to the field with a blend of audacity and composure. Soumya Sarkar’s blistering start exemplified a "play-with-no-fear" mantra, setting the tone for a confident innings. The veteran pairing of Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim crafted a disciplined, strategic partnership that solidified Bangladesh’s momentum, helping them reach a formidable total of 330—an achievement almost unthinkable given their recent struggles against South Africa in previous World Cups.

As the Proteas took the crease, Bangladesh’s bowlers approached the task with a steady resolve, adhering to a simple, no-frills strategy: bowl tightly, build pressure, and let patience dictate the game. While lacking the fiery pace of premier fast bowlers or the mystique of a master spinner, Bangladesh’s bowlers, led by the experienced Mashrafe Mortaza, displayed astute discipline. Mustafizur Rahman and Mohammad Saifuddin hit the right lengths, while Shakib, Mosaddek Hossain, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz used guile and variation to keep South Africa’s batsmen guessing.

In the end, it wasn’t just a victory—it was a resounding statement. Bangladesh had outplayed a top-tier side not by shock tactics, but through tactical discipline and a calm, calculated approach, demonstrating their maturity on the world stage.

Bangladesh: A Team Transformed

To label this result an “upset” would miss the point entirely. Bangladesh has stepped into a new era, where they no longer carry the mantle of minnows. Years of steady improvement, bolstered by growing confidence on the international stage, have transformed Bangladesh into a team capable of competing with the best—not just in skill, but in mentality.  

Through their methodical dismantling of South Africa, Bangladesh served notice to the cricketing world that they had mastered the fine art of thriving under pressure. Far from the nervous and error-prone team of earlier years, Bangladesh has emerged as a formidable contender, a team with the nerve to stare down giants and the resolve to rewrite their own history.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar