A Drawn First Test at Chattogram: A Tale of Resilience and Redemption

The opening Test between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka at Chattogram ended without a result, but it was far from uneventful. As Day 5 began, hopes soared for a thrilling finish, with Bangladesh’s spinners poised to unsettle the Sri Lankan batting order. Yet, the visitors, displaying grit and composure, weathered the storm to secure a hard-fought draw. 

Shakib Al Hasan: The Eternal Warrior

Doubt loomed over Shakib Al Hasan’s participation after his COVID-19 diagnosis, but champions are not defined by circumstance. Despite limited preparation, Shakib’s performance was a masterclass in skill and determination. 

His spell on Day 5 was a symphony of precision and guile. His variations, including an experimental Chinaman delivery, consistently tested Sri Lanka’s resolve. Shakib didn’t just bowl; he orchestrated the pressure, creating openings for Nayeem Hasan to capitalize and providing vital support to Taijul Islam. 

Shakib’s contribution transcended statistics—it was a testament to his resilience and his ability to rise to the occasion when his team needed him most. 

Mushfiqur Rahim Joins the 5000 Club

Mushfiqur Rahim’s journey from a precocious teenager in 2005 to becoming the first Bangladeshi batter to score 5000 Test runs is a narrative of perseverance. Over the years, he has been a cornerstone of Bangladesh’s batting, weathering criticism and setbacks with quiet determination. 

His achievement at Chattogram was more than a personal milestone; it symbolized the evolution of Bangladeshi cricket. Mushfiqur’s innings were a blend of patience and intent, laying a solid foundation for his team. With his experience and drive, he remains a vital figure in Bangladesh’s Test ambitions. 

Tamim Iqbal: A Masterclass in Opening

Tamim Iqbal’s performance in Chattogram was a study in how an opener can set the tone for a batting lineup. His fluent strokeplay, particularly through the offside, was a delight to watch. Tamim’s ability to rotate strike and find boundaries kept the Sri Lankan bowlers on the defensive. 

The scorching heat eventually forced him to retire hurt, robbing him of the chance to convert his innings into a bigger score. Yet, his contribution underscored the importance of a strong start, providing Bangladesh with momentum and confidence. 

Sri Lanka’s Resolve with the Bat

Sri Lanka’s batting efforts were a tale of two innings, both marked by determination and resilience. Angelo Mathews, the linchpin of their lineup, delivered a near-flawless 199 in the first innings, anchoring partnerships that steadied the team after early setbacks. 

Mathews’ dismissal for a double-century near-miss was heart-wrenching, but his knock set the tone for Sri Lanka’s resistance. In the second innings, with their backs against the wall, Dinesh Chandimal and Niroshan Dickwella showcased extraordinary patience. Their 99-run partnership for the seventh wicket absorbed 203 deliveries, effectively blunting Bangladesh’s attack. 

Sri Lanka’s ability to dig deep in challenging conditions speaks volumes about their character and provides a solid foundation for the second Test in Mirpur. 

Sri Lanka’s Pacers: A Revelation

On a surface traditionally favouring spinners, Sri Lanka’s pacers emerged as unexpected heroes. The loss of Vishwa Fernando to a concussion could have derailed their plans, but Kasun Rajitha’s introduction proved transformative. 

Rajitha’s disciplined lines and lengths complemented Asitha Fernando’s fiery aggression. Together, they shared seven wickets, unsettling Bangladesh’s batters with pace, bounce, and relentless accuracy. Asitha’s short-pitched barrage in the sweltering heat was particularly commendable, embodying the fighting spirit of the visitors. 

While spin will likely dominate discussions for the Mirpur Test, Sri Lanka would do well to harness the potential of their pacers. Rajitha and Fernando have shown they can be game-changers, even on spin-friendly pitches. 

Conclusion: A Prelude to Mirpur

The Chattogram Test was a compelling showcase of skill, resilience, and tactical acumen. For Bangladesh, it highlighted areas of strength, such as their spinners and experienced batters, while exposing vulnerabilities in their batting under pressure. For Sri Lanka, it was a reminder of their capacity to fight against the odds, with their pacers and middle-order batting offering hope for the future. 

As the teams prepare for the second Test in Mirpur, the stakes are high. Will Bangladesh capitalize on their home advantage, or will Sri Lanka’s newfound confidence propel them to a series-defining performance? The answers lie in the next chapter of this intriguing contest. 

Thank You

Faisal Caesar 

Glimmers of Greatness: Mohammad Ashraful’s Masterclass and the Eternal Struggle of Bangladeshi Cricket

Next week, Chattogram will again become the battleground for Bangladesh and Sri Lanka as the two nations lock horns in the ICC World Test Championship. The anticipation is heavy, rooted in history and tinged with memories of battles past. Since their first meeting in the 2001 Asian Test Championship, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have shared a rivalry marked not by parity but by persistence — Bangladesh, still finding their feet in Test cricket, and Sri Lanka, a well-established force at the time. The story of these matches is often one of valiant attempts punctuated by occasional brilliance.  

And among those moments of brilliance, Mohammad Ashraful’s iconic 136 against Sri Lanka at Chattogram in 2006 stands tall—a spellbinding performance that epitomized both the promise and frustration of Bangladeshi cricket. 

The Bogra Beginning and MA Aziz’s Legacy

When the Lankans toured Bangladesh in 2006 for a bilateral series, the Tigers hoped to build on recent improvements under coach Dav Whatmore. Despite a morale-boosting ODI victory at Bogra—their first against Sri Lanka—the real challenge was always going to be the longer format.  

The second Test at Chattogram brought both nations to the historic MA Aziz Stadium, a venue not just beloved for cricket but symbolic of the city’s role in Bangladesh’s struggle for independence in 1971. In earlier decades, this very ground welcomed legends like India’s Vinoo Mankad and England’s MCC under Donald Carr. It was also where Bangladesh clinched their first-ever Test victory in 2005, after 34 painful attempts—a venue where history whispers from the stands.

But as the two teams clashed in 2006, history didn’t seem to favor the hosts. After a comprehensive loss in the first Test at Bogra, expectations from the home crowd were tempered. Yet, this was cricket—fickle, full of surprises, where individual genius can change the course of a match, if only for a fleeting moment.

Ashraful’s Arrival: A Symphony of Strokes

Bangladesh’s innings began on a cautious note. Habibul Bashar, the skipper, elected to bat first, aware that the early morning breeze off the Bay of Bengal would offer assistance to seamers. And seamers Lasith Malinga and Farveez Maharoof did not disappoint. Malinga, with his trademark slinging action, struck in the opening exchanges to dismiss Javed Omar.  

Opener Nafees Iqbal and Captain Bashar then forged a steady partnership, weathering the storm for a while. But as so often with Bangladesh, their solidity was fleeting. Wickets began to tumble. And then, the young Mohammad Ashraful strode to the crease.  

From the moment Ashraful took his stance, something felt different. On his second delivery, he leaned into a cover drive off Malinga Bandara—a stroke so elegantly timed that even the fielders paused to admire it. As his innings unfolded, it became clear that Ashraful wasn’t just batting; he was composing a masterpiece. His first boundary—a stylish late cut to third man—set the tone for a knock that was equal parts artistry and audacity.  

Facing the wily Muttiah Muralitharan at the other end, Ashraful displayed a poise that belied his years. He navigated the maestro’s off-breaks with nimble footwork, choosing discretion over recklessness—at least initially. When Murali tossed one up temptingly, Ashraful resisted the urge to slog, instead stroking a delicate glance to the fine-leg boundary. It was an innings defined by balance—between caution and aggression, between elegance and power.  

The Turning of the Tide: A Solo Act Amidst Collapse

As wickets crumbled at the other end, Ashraful shifted gears. He knew that waiting for partners to build meaningful stands was a futile hope. So, he transformed the innings into a counterattack. His reverse sweeps off Murali were not just effective but cheekily defiant, while his six off Bandara symbolized a fearless batsman at the peak of his powers. Against Dilhara Fernando, he stood tall, sending a delivery over backward point for six—an exhibition of confidence that few Bangladeshi batters of the era possessed.  

With each stroke, Ashraful gave Bangladesh hope, even if only briefly. His bat was not just a weapon; it was a wand, casting spells that charmed the crowd and momentarily paralyzed the Sri Lankan attack. For 184 deliveries, he carried his side on his slender shoulders, scoring 136 runs laced with 15 boundaries and 3 sixes. And yet, like all good things in Bangladeshi cricket, it didn’t last.  

Attempting a slog-sweep off Murali, Ashraful mistimed the shot, holing out to Dilhara Fernando at deep midwicket. It was the kind of dismissal that defined him—brilliant, bold, but tragically impatient. Once again, his inability to temper talent with discipline had cost him and his team.  

The Tale of Two Ashrafuls: Genius and Flaws in Equal Measure

Ashraful’s innings was a microcosm of Bangladesh’s cricketing journey—bursting with promise, dazzling in moments, but undone by inconsistency. The sheer beauty of his stroke play raised expectations, yet his dismissal embodied the frustration that has haunted Bangladesh cricket. He was not just a player; he was a symbol of what the nation’s cricket could be—if only brilliance could be sustained.  

His failure to replicate the magic in the second innings, dismissed cheaply for 1, was a sobering reminder that cricket is as much about consistency as it is about moments of genius. Bangladesh eventually folded for 181, setting Sri Lanka a modest target, which they chased down with ease. The visitors left victorious, but Ashraful’s innings lingered in the memory—a bittersweet performance that hinted at a future never fully realized.

Legacy of the Knock: Hope Amid Defeat 

Despite the loss, there was a silver lining. Ashraful’s innings was a beacon for a young team trying to find its identity in the Test arena. For a brief moment, he bridged the gap between what Bangladesh was and what it aspired to be—a competitive Test side that could stand toe-to-toe with the best.  

The performance at Chattogram gave the fans a reason to dream, even if the dream was fragile. It showcased what was possible when individual brilliance aligned with opportunity. The tragedy of Mohammad Ashraful’s career is not that he lacked talent, but that the brilliance he exhibited was often fleeting—flashes of light in a sky that too often remained overcast.

Epilogue: The Eternal Quest for Stability

As Bangladesh and Sri Lanka prepare to meet again at Chattogram next week, the echoes of that 2006 Test resonate. The stadium, rich in history, will once more witness a contest where the stakes are high. The fans will hope for a repeat of Ashraful’s brilliance—only this time, tempered by the maturity that comes with experience.  

For Bangladeshi cricket, the journey continues. And with every boundary, every dismissal, and every cheer from the stands, the ghosts of past glories and disappointments will dance in the background—reminding players and fans alike that in cricket, as in life, brilliance must be matched by resolve.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar 

The Dawn of a New Hero: Kyle Mayers and the Miracle at Chattogram

 

No regrets. Never satisfied. Never say die. Never lose your temper.

These words, which might have echoed in the minds of Clive Lloyd’s legendary West Indian team, defined an era of dominance that lasted two decades. Lloyd, who learned these lessons through adversity, built a cricketing empire that ruled the world with an iron fist and a flair unmatched. 

Today, however, the Caribbean cricketers seem to have drifted far from that ethos. The focus has shifted from grit to glamour, from Test match resilience to T20 fireworks. Yet, amid the chaos and inconsistency, there are moments—fleeting but brilliant—when the spirit of the old West Indies resurfaces. 

Chattogram, on a fateful Day 5, witnessed one such moment. 

The Setting: A Test in the Shadows of Doubt

Coming into the Test series, the West Indies were a team under scrutiny. Their lacklustre performance in the ODI series against Bangladesh had left fans disheartened and critics sharpening their pens. The first Test at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium seemed destined to end in yet another Caribbean capitulation. 

But cricket, like life, thrives on unpredictability. What unfolded on the final day was not just a victory but a tale of resilience, courage, and belief—epitomized by a debutant named Kyle Mayers. 

The Miracle Chase: A Battle of Wits and Will

Chasing 395 on a fifth-day pitch in Asia is a task that tests the mettle of even the most seasoned teams. For a side as inexperienced and battered as the West Indies, it seemed an impossible mountain to climb. At 59 for 3, the climb looked steeper than ever. 

Enter Kyle Mayers and Nkrumah Bonner. 

What followed was a masterclass in Test cricket batting. Bonner, the anchor, dropped roots at the crease, absorbing pressure and holding one end steady. Mayers, the aggressor, played with controlled audacity, finding gaps, rotating the strike, and punishing loose deliveries. 

Their partnership of 216 runs for the fourth wicket was a symphony of grit and flair. It wasn’t just about runs; it was about intent and clarity of purpose. They respected the conditions, valued their wickets, and played each ball on its merit. 

A Test of Character: The Final Push

When Bonner fell for 86, the West Indies still needed 129 runs in the final session. The dismissal of Jermaine Blackwood soon after added to the tension. At 292 for 5, the scales seemed to tip back in Bangladesh’s favor. 

But Mayers was unyielding. With Joshua Da Silva offering crucial support, he unleashed a calculated assault on the Bangladeshi bowlers. The pressure, palpable on both sides, seemed to fuel his resolve. A towering six here, a crisply driven four there—Mayers dismantled the field settings and exposed the limitations of Bangladesh captain Mominul Haque’s tactics. 

Even when wickets fell at the other end, Mayers remained a picture of composure. His unbeaten 210—an innings of rare brilliance—etched his name in cricketing folklore. 

The Numbers Behind the Glory

- Mayers became only the sixth batsman in Test history to score a double century in the fourth innings. 

- His 210 not out is the highest fourth-innings score in Asia, surpassing Younis Khan’s 171* against Sri Lanka in 2015. 

- The 216-run stand with Bonner was the second-highest partnership for debutants in Test cricket and the second-highest fourth-innings partnership in Asia. 

The Lessons from Chattogram

This victory was not just about statistics; it was about rediscovering the essence of West Indies cricket. It reminded the world of the Caribbean’s ability to rise from the ashes, to turn despair into delight. 

For Bangladesh, the loss was a harsh lesson in strategy and execution. Mominul’s field placements and the inability of the bowlers to exploit the Day 5 pitch proved costly. The missed reviews and dropped chances compounded their woes. 

Yet, nothing should detract from the heroics of Mayers and his teammates. They trusted their defence, embraced the grind, and showed the world that Test cricket is still the ultimate test of character. 

A New Chapter in West Indies Cricket?

Chattogram turned maroon that day, not just in colour but in spirit. Kyle Mayers’ innings was a beacon of hope for a team and a region yearning for a revival. It was a reminder that the Caribbean can still produce players with the heart of Lloyd, the grit of Chanderpaul, and the flair of Greenidge. 

As the sun set on a historic day, one could almost hear the echoes of a long-lost mantra: "No regrets. Never satisfied. Never say die." 

Kyle Mayers didn’t just win a Test match; he reignited a dream. 

Thank You

Faisal Caesar