Mushfiqur Rahim: The Relentless Constant in Bangladesh’s Cricketing Story

Coming in with Bangladesh in trouble is nothing new for Mushfiqur Rahim. It’s a role he’s embraced since he was a teenager in 2005 — his boyish face and disarming smile belying the grit beneath, the grit of a cricketer who has spent two decades cushioning the tremors of Bangladesh’s batting collapses like a sponge soaking pressure.

That pressure became familiar long before it became routine.

Rahim arrived at a time of strategic upheaval in Bangladesh cricket. In 2005, the selectors — led by a visionary think tank comprising Dav Whatmore, Steve McInnes, and Arafat Rahman — made an audacious call to build for the future. Out went the old guard, despite the criticism of so-called "paid experts"; in came a clutch of raw, untested youth, among whom Mushfiqur was the cornerstone.

That decision would, with time, prove inspired.

A Productive Partnership 

Fast forward to Galle in 2025. Najmul Hossain Shanto had just faced three deliveries when Mushfiqur walked in at 45 for 3 — a precarious yet familiar scenario. On his sixth ball, Shanto danced down the track and lofted one over the bowler’s head, signalling intent. It wasn’t reckless aggression, but a calm defiance. It was as though the innings had inhaled new air.

Despite a pitch that looked flatter than usual on Day 1, Bangladesh resisted the urge to accelerate. Galle demands respect, not bravado. Bat first, bat long. That has long been the script.

Sri Lanka, buoyed by Angelo Mathews’ farewell and Tharindu Rathnayake’s dream debut (including a double-strike in consecutive overs), might have imagined a different story unfolding. But they hadn’t accounted for Mushfiqur and Shanto’s poise.

The pair weathered the storm, punished loose deliveries, and ran with urgency. By lunch on Day 2, Bangladesh had crossed 400. The duo's partnership had swelled to 247 runs — both unbeaten, Shanto on 136, Mushfiqur on 105.

It was Mushfiqur’s 12th Test century, ending a 14-innings drought. And yet, this was no free ride. Dhananjaya de Silva rotated the field shrewdly. Sri Lanka’s bowlers probed, particularly targeting Mushfiqur’s patience. He survived 23 balls in the nineties before nudging into three figures in the 86th over.

For Shanto, it was a return to rhythm — his first Test ton since November 2023. For Mushfiqur, it was a full-circle moment in Galle, where 12 years ago he etched his name in Bangladesh’s history books with the team’s first Test double-century.

A Career of Two Halves

Rahim’s career has been, in many ways, a study in duality.

He debuted before MS Dhoni, Kevin Pietersen, Michael Hussey, and Alastair Cook. Nearly two decades later, he remains the last man standing from the Class of 2005 in active Test cricket. And yet, he has rarely been named in conversations about the greats of the modern era. That is both a disservice and an inevitability.

The first half of his career was marked by promise without potency — 12 Tests in, he averaged under 20. His first Test hundred came in 2010 against India. The next arrived three years later. By the end of 2015, Rahim’s average had clawed its way to 32.31 — decent, but not dazzling.

And then came the pivot.

2017 marked a seismic shift. In Wellington, alongside Shakib Al Hasan, Rahim stitched together a record-breaking 359-run partnership against a formidable New Zealand attack. His 159 — the highest by an Asian wicketkeeper in a SENA country — heralded a new chapter. From that point on, Rahim transformed into one of the most consistent Test performers of his generation.

Since that Wellington innings, he has amassed 3,410 runs in 47 Tests at an average of 44.86. Only four players globally have scored more at a higher average during this span. Rahim’s numbers have outstripped Virat Kohli (44.43), Usman Khawaja (44.35), and Babar Azam (43.82) in that period — a stunning metric for a man often left out of elite lists.

And yet, perception lags behind reality.

Limited by Circumstance, Not by Skill

Rahim’s ascent has been constrained by the asymmetries of Test cricket. He has played only 14 Tests in SENA countries, averaging 21.92. Six of those came after 2017 — two in New Zealand, where he averaged 94.50, and four in South Africa, where he struggled at 19. No Tests in England or Australia since 2016. Even in Bangladesh, SENA opposition has been sporadic.

That uneven exposure has distorted the perception of Rahim’s quality. The weight given to performances in SENA countries remains the litmus test for batting greatness. And Rahim has had neither the platform nor the privileges to make that case fully.

What he has done is maximize every controllable within his grasp.

Since 2017, his home and away averages are strikingly consistent: 43.93 and 46.15. His centuries span the globe — from Galle to Rawalpindi, Hyderabad to Wellington. At home, he has flourished: three unbeaten scores over 175, including two double centuries. Since 2020, his Test average of 46.42 eclipses Steve Smith’s 46.17 — a quiet, almost ironic, footnote in cricket's statistical archives.

A Legacy Cast in Grit, Not Glamour

Rahim has always been a cricketer's cricketer. Understated. Uncelebrated. Yet unmistakably elite. His skill against spin is matched by few. His glove work may have often taken a back seat to his batting, but it was never unworthy. In hindsight, had he relinquished the gloves earlier, he might have soared higher with the bat. But Rahim chose devotion over convenience.

He has been criticized for wearing his heart on his sleeve — sometimes too tightly. The emotional strain of carrying Bangladesh’s middle order and the added burden of wicketkeeping may have exacted a toll. But that emotional core also fuelled his longevity, his resilience, and his quiet dominance.

Mushfiqur Rahim will perhaps never be counted among the pantheon of global greats. But within the context of Bangladesh cricket — and indeed, the global narrative of undervalued brilliance — he stands tall.

Not every great player makes headlines. Some, like Rahim, make history — quietly, persistently, and with unwavering grace.

Thank You 

Faisal Caesar 

The Day Cricket’s Order Was Upturned: Bangladesh’s Historic Victory Over Australia

There are moments in sports that transcend the mere confines of a match scorecard. They linger in the collective consciousness, etched into the annals of history, revisited with awe and disbelief. Bangladesh’s victory over Australia in Cardiff was one such moment—an event so improbable that it defied every pre-match expectation, rewrote cricketing narratives, and sent shockwaves through the sport’s hierarchy. 

At sunrise, Australia’s dominance was unquestioned. By dusk, they were left picking up the pieces of a humbling they never saw coming. The script was supposed to be routine—another day, another Australian victory. But the beauty of sport lies in its ability to defy certainty. On June 18, 2005, Bangladesh did not merely win a game of cricket; they upended an empire. 

Cracks in the Colossus: Australia’s Missteps

The Australian team that walked onto the field that day was not merely the best in the world—it was a juggernaut, an era-defining force that had crushed opposition with a ruthless efficiency. They had redefined one-day cricket, setting benchmarks that others could only aspire to match. Yet, beneath that impenetrable façade, cracks had begun to emerge, subtle yet significant. 

Their troubles began even before the first ball was bowled. Andrew Symonds, their one-day powerhouse, was mysteriously withdrawn from the playing XI. Initially, it was brushed off as a ‘niggle’ and later as the ‘flu.’ But as the day progressed, whispers of a disciplinary breach surfaced—Symonds had violated team rules, and an internal investigation had been launched. This disruption, minor as it seemed, hinted at an undercurrent of instability in a team that prided itself on unity and professionalism. 

Ricky Ponting, usually a master tactician, made an uncharacteristic misjudgment at the toss. The conditions in Cardiff—a damp pitch under thick cloud cover—screamed for bowling first. Yet, perhaps out of arrogance, or a desire to challenge his own team, Ponting chose to bat. It was a decision steeped in overconfidence, a miscalculation that gifted Bangladesh an early advantage. 

And so, the dominoes began to fall. 

Bangladesh’s Unrelenting Precision

Cricket is often a game of perception. Bangladesh, despite their undeniable talent, had long been viewed through the lens of their past struggles. Many critics dismissed them as perennial underdogs, a team content with participation rather than victory. But within the dressing room, a different mindset was brewing. 

Under the guidance of Dav Whatmore, the team had slowly built a foundation of quiet confidence. Gone were the days of celebrating moral victories; this Bangladesh team had come to Cardiff to win. And from the moment Mashrafe Mortaza ran in to bowl the first over, they played like a team that truly believed. 

Mortaza’s spell was a masterclass in discipline and precision. His first six overs conceded just five runs, an astonishing feat against a side known for aggressive strokeplay. Australia’s openers, usually dominant, were shackled. Adam Gilchrist fell in the opening over, trapped lbw to a Mortaza delivery that jagged back sharply. Ponting, visibly distracted and perhaps unsettled by the off-field drama, soon followed, dismissed by Tapash Baisya for a mere one run. 

Australia’s innings never truly recovered. Damien Martyn scratched his way to a painstaking 77, unable to impose himself. Matthew Hayden, the only batsman who looked capable of changing the script, perished just when he seemed ready to take control. By the time the innings concluded, Australia had managed 249—respectable, but far from the dominance they were accustomed to asserting. 

For Bangladesh, this was their best display of fielding and bowling on the tour by a considerable margin. Mohammad Rafique was cunning and accurate with his left-arm spin, while Aftab Ahmed’s medium pace provided vital control. The energy, the discipline, the sheer refusal to let Australia breathe—this was a Bangladesh side operating at its peak. 

Ashraful’s Masterpiece: A Hundred Against History

There are centuries, and then there are centuries that define a player’s legacy. Mohammad Ashraful’s 100 that day was the latter. It was not just about the runs; it was about defiance, about artistry, about a young man staring down the most fearsome bowling attack in the world and making them look ordinary. 

The start of Bangladesh’s chase was cautious, yet confident. Nafees Iqbal fell early, but there was no panic. Tushar Imran played with positive intent, smashing Brad Hogg for three lofted boundaries before perishing to a spectacular catch by Simon Katich. Javed Omar, known for his patience, provided stability. But it was Ashraful who took centre stage. 

His innings was a breathtaking display of elegant strokeplay. Cover drives flowed effortlessly, flicks to fine leg were executed with casual audacity, and his confidence only grew as the target came within reach. On 54, he was given a lifeline—Jason Gillespie spilt a regulation catch at fine leg. It was the moment Australia had to seize, the turning point they desperately needed. Instead, it became the turning point of the match. 

Ashraful did not look back. He brought up his fifty by flat-batting Glenn McGrath over mid-off, a shot laced with arrogance and flair. He shared a vital 130-run partnership with Habibul Bashar, the Bangladesh captain, who seemed to revel in the moment, finally having something to smile about after years of leading a team in transition. 

The match reached its crescendo when Aftab Ahmed, with audacity befitting the occasion, launched Jason Gillespie into the Cardiff sky for six to level the scores. Moments later, Rafique calmly worked the ball into the outfield, and Bangladesh’s greatest cricketing triumph was complete. 

Beyond the Scorecard: A Nation Transformed

“This is probably one of the biggest upsets in the history of cricket, and my worst defeat as captain,” Ponting admitted after the match. The magnitude of what had transpired was not lost on him. 

But for Bangladesh, this was not merely an upset. It was a statement. It was validation. It was the breaking of chains that had bound them to a narrative of perpetual struggle. 

The celebrations in Dhaka that night were nothing short of euphoric. The streets were alive with jubilant fans, dancing in disbelief, spraying paint on passing cars as if the entire city had become a canvas for their uncontainable joy. Television networks abandoned their schedules to replay the match endlessly. At Mohammad Ashraful’s modest home, a sea of well-wishers gathered, eager to catch a glimpse of their new hero. 

Yet, what was most remarkable was the shift in perception. Just two years earlier, Bangladesh’s greatest achievement might have been playing out 50 overs against a top-tier team. Now, they were beating the world champions. And it was not an accident. It was clinical. It was professional. It was everything that made Australia great, now embodied by a team that had, until then, been overlooked. 

This victory was not just a one-off—it was a glimpse into the future. A future where Bangladesh was no longer a side that the cricketing world pitied, but one that it respected. The cricketing landscape had changed that day, and there was no turning back. 

Australia, the ultimate benchmark, had been conquered. And the cricketing world had been served a warning: never underestimate the raw, unfiltered, and uninhibited talent of Bangladesh. 

The road ahead was long, but the path had been paved. The Tigers had roared, and the echoes would be heard for years to come.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar 

Pakistan’s Triumph at Headingley: Waqar’s Wizardry and England’s Woes

Cricket, in its essence, is a contest of skill, temperament, and resilience. At Headingley, Pakistan delivered a performance that embodied all three, orchestrating a commanding six-wicket victory over England. However, what should have been a celebration of cricketing excellence was somewhat overshadowed by an unruly pitch invasion, and for England, the match only deepened the wounds of their prolonged slump—this being their tenth consecutive ODI defeat.

The Waqar Younis Symphony: A Masterclass in Swing and Seams

From the very first delivery, Waqar Younis ensured that England’s batting lineup remained shackled in uncertainty. The script of the match was written with his fiery opening spell, as he sent Marcus Trescothick’s off-stump cartwheeling with a trademark toe-crushing delivery. It was a harbinger of what was to come. England, already burdened by a string of dismal performances, appeared haunted by the ghosts of past failures.

Nick Knight’s hesitant prod found the safe hands of Shahid Afridi at point, while Michael Vaughan, unsure in his footwork, edged one to Younis Khan in the slips. England's top order crumbled like a house of cards, reduced to 30 for 3, a testament to Waqar’s precision and relentless aggression.

Then came the procession—Owais Shah, Paul Collingwood, Alec Stewart, and Dominic Cork all succumbed in quick succession, trapped in a web spun by the masterful Pakistani seamer. England, reeling at 58 for 7, appeared destined for humiliation. Even the controversial reprieve of Owais Shah—who was adjudged not out despite what commentators deemed a "plumb" LBW—did little to alter the inevitable. The electronic tracking systems, surprisingly dormant at such a crucial juncture, left many questioning their reliability.

Ben Hollioake and Darren Gough, however, salvaged England’s pride, constructing a much-needed partnership of 67 runs. Hollioake’s defiant knock of 53, complemented by Gough’s fighting 40*, lifted England to a semblance of respectability at 156. But the damage had been done. The day belonged to Waqar Younis, whose remarkable spell of 7 for 36 not only decimated England but also etched his name alongside the greats of the game—joining the ranks of Muttiah Muralitharan, Aaqib Javed, and Winston Davis as one of the few bowlers to claim seven wickets in an ODI.

Pakistan’s Measured Chase: A Tale of Patience and Power

While the target of 157 appeared modest, Pakistan’s pursuit was anything but straightforward. Darren Gough, embodying England’s last flickering resistance, struck twice in quick succession. Shahid Afridi, ever the swashbuckler, perished for just 2, slashing a wide one into the gloves of Alec Stewart. Saeed Anwar, composed but tentative, followed suit, his promising 24 curtailed in a near-identical fashion.

At 34 for 2, the chase demanded prudence, and Yousuf Youhana, alongside the ever-reliable Abdur Razzaq, provided exactly that. The two crafted their innings with patience, content to rotate the strike and consolidate before unfurling their strokes. The 50-run mark arrived only in the 20th over—a sluggish start by modern standards but one dictated by the match situation.

Then, as confidence grew, so did the aggression. Razzaq, seizing control, unleashed his full repertoire of strokes. One particularly commanding straight six off Alan Mullally underscored his dominance. His partnership with Youhana, worth 94 runs, effectively sealed the game. Youhana, steady as ever, contributed a vital 24 before departing, but by then, the result was a foregone conclusion.

A moment of slight drama unfolded when Razzaq, within touching distance of victory, chased a wide delivery from Cork and perished for a magnificent 75. The dismissal momentarily delayed the inevitable, but it was little more than a footnote in Pakistan’s march to triumph.

A Chaotic Conclusion and a Historic Victory

With Pakistan requiring a mere handful of runs, a stroke from Azhar Mahmood towards long leg sparked an ill-timed pitch invasion by overzealous spectators who mistook it for the winning shot. Amidst the confusion, England conceded the match, bringing an abrupt and rather unsatisfactory conclusion to an otherwise masterful display by Pakistan.

Waqar Younis, unsurprisingly, was named Man of the Match for his sensational bowling spell—a performance that will be etched in cricketing folklore. For England, the defeat raised troubling questions about their ODI competency, exposing frailties that had now led them to a record-breaking tenth consecutive loss. Urgent introspection and recalibration seemed imperative if they were to salvage their dwindling reputation.

Pakistan, on the other hand, left Headingley with their heads held high—a testament to their unyielding spirit and the brilliance of a fast bowler whose art, even in an era dominated by batting, remained as breathtaking as ever.

Thank You 

Faisal Caesar 

A Tale of Collapse and Courage: England vs Australia at Trent Bridge, 1948

A Precarious Dawn: England's Shaky Selection and Catastrophic Collapse

As the opening day approached, uncertainty hovered over England's team composition. Wright, suffering from lumbago, was deemed unfit, and though Pope of Derbyshire was summoned as cover, neither took the field. Simpson (Nottinghamshire) stood as the twelfth man. On a rain-affected Thursday, only twenty minutes of play transpired before lunch, yet in that brief spell, Miller delivered a thunderbolt that shattered Hutton's stumps and set the tone for a day dominated by Australia's pace.

Post-interval, a damp surface aided the Australian bowlers, transforming the pitch into a treacherous terrain where the ball skidded sharply. England collapsed to 74 for 8 by tea. The batting, devoid of technique and temperament, floundered against a relentless and varied attack. Johnston, on debut, announced himself with a spell of 5 wickets for 36 runs from 25 overs, a display of left-arm hostility both clinical and composed.

Defiance in the Depths: Laker and Bedser Restore Some Honour

With England teetering on the brink of ignominy, Laker and Bedser staged a stoic resistance. Their stand of 89 in 73 minutes more than doubled the team's total and saved them from the ignominy of registering their lowest score at Nottingham. Laker, fluent with off-drives and the hook, paired with Bedser's gritty defence and sharp stroke-play to restore a semblance of dignity. A slip catch by Miller underlined Australia’s electric fielding, while Lindwall, despite suffering a groin injury, contributed with bat and effort before retiring hurt.

Australia Assert Their Might: Cautious Foundations and Tactical Prowess

In the fading light of the first day, Australia's openers Barnes and Morris batted cautiously, refusing risk. The second day saw England respond with disciplined, defensive tactics. Yardley's leg-stump fields and reliance on containment rather than penetration yielded temporary control. Laker emerged as England's best weapon, his off-breaks stifling progress and earning three crucial wickets.

Barnes's dismissal owed much to Evans's remarkable reflexes, and Miller’s misjudgment handed Laker a third. Surprisingly, Laker was removed when Australia seemed vulnerable, a decision that allowed Bradman and Brown to consolidate. Yardley's reintroduction brought some success with Brown's leg-before, but a grinding stand of 108 between Bradman and Hassett left Australia in command.

Bradman, usually a symbol of dominance, was restrained, clearly irked by England’s leg-side tactics. His century took over 210 minutes, a subdued but significant contribution.

A Long Haul: Hassett and the Marathon Innings

Saturday brought milestones and drama. Bradman reached 1,000 runs for the season, but was soon dismissed by a late Bedser in-swinger. Hassett then became the linchpin, shepherding the tail and frustrating England with patient accumulation. Young delivered a herculean spell, conceding just 79 runs in 60 overs. Lindwall, batting despite injury, formed a vital eighth-wicket partnership of 107 with Hassett, who eventually fell for a painstaking and majestic innings that lasted nearly six hours.

Bedser claimed his 50th Test wicket and Evans caught Lindwall to end the resistance, but the deficit of 344 loomed insurmountably.

Flickers of Hope: England’s Second Innings Resurgence

England's second innings began under the shadow of that daunting deficit. Once again, Miller made an early breakthrough, removing Washbrook. Edrich fell at 39, but Hutton and Compton injected life into the chase. Hutton, playing with flair and precision, reached his fifty in a flurry. However, Miller, switching to fast deliveries, tested Hutton's resolve and drew the crowd's ire with a barrage of bouncers.

Despite the pressure, England ended the day with a promising 82-run stand, and Nottingham's crowd had reason to hope.

Dark Skies and Diminishing Light: The Monday Ordeal

Monday's play was marred by bad light and thunderstorms. The Nottinghamshire secretary appealed for decorum, a reflection of the crowd's discontent with Miller's short-pitched bowling. In the gloom, Hutton succumbed to a Miller break-back. Compton, battling the elements and bowlers, neared a century only to be thwarted twice by poor light.

When play resumed, Compton reached three successive centuries at Trent Bridge, supported briefly by Hardstaff and then Yardley. The England captain departed to a smart return catch by Johnston. Yet, Compton remained the cornerstone, defying fate.

A Heroic Fall: Compton’s Tragic End and England’s Collapse

Tuesday dawned with hope but also inevitability. England were just one run ahead with four wickets in hand. Compton and Evans held firm through light showers, but tragedy struck ten minutes before lunch. Facing Miller's venomous bouncer, Compton, off-balance on the muddy turf, fell into his stumps. It was a cruel end to a valiant, near-seven-hour epic of 154, adorned with 19 boundaries.

Evans reached fifty, but the tail folded quickly. Australia needed just 98.

The Final Chase: Bradman Falls, but Victory Beckons

Australia's chase began with drama. Bedser bowled Morris and then dismissed Bradman for a duck, caught identically to his first innings. It was Bradman's first duck in England. Barnes and Hassett, however, saw Australia home with fluent stroke-play. A curious mix-up ended the match on a humorous note when Barnes mistakenly thought the game over after levelling the scores and dashed to the pavilion with a stump, only to return sheepishly to complete the formality.

A Contest of Contrasts and Character

This Test will be remembered for its intense swings, individual brilliance, and harsh conditions. England's resilience was personified by Compton, who battled not only the Australians but also the elements. Australia's superiority lay in their depth, discipline, and decisive moments. Amid the clash of titans, the enduring image remains that of Compton, muddy and defiant, falling heroically as England's last bastion of hope.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar

The Fragile Edge of Dominance: West Indies vs Sri Lanka at Antigua, 1997

Early Devastation: Ambrose the Executioner

Victory with over two days remaining may suggest dominance, but West Indies' win over Sri Lanka was not as straightforward as the final margin implies. It was Curtly Ambrose, still fearsome on familiar turf, who engineered Sri Lanka’s collapse early on a damp, green-tinged pitch. Within the first thirty minutes, Ambrose tore through the top order, moving within reach of the prestigious 300-wicket mark in typically imperious fashion.

Yet, while Ambrose was relentlessly accurate, his fellow bowlers struggled with length and rhythm. It was during his absence that Sri Lanka’s resistance began to take shape.

Resistance in the Fire: Jayasuriya and Ranatunga’s Grit

Enter Sanath Jayasuriya and Arjuna Ranatunga—a study in controlled defiance. Their 110-run stand was not just productive; it was brave. Both men absorbed physical punishment, peppered with rising deliveries that reared off uncertain lengths. It was batting that combined courage with calculated aggression, all while wearing the scars of the pitch's caprice.

The pitch itself became a subject of controversy. Sri Lankan coach Bruce Yardley openly criticised the decision to start play before tea, calling it a “crap pitch.” Yet ironically, his top order had endured the most volatile conditions with surprising composure. Ranatunga’s dismissal—run out—broke the partnership, but worse followed.

Fractures and Milestones: Sri Lanka Falters

Hashan Tillekeratne’s bold decision to bat without an arm guard proved costly. Walsh, relentless and precise, shattered his forearm, while Jayasuriya perished attempting to dominate Carl Hooper’s subtle variations. His 82 was studded with nine boundaries and two sixes—an innings of counter-punching elegance lasting 223 minutes.

Kaluwitharana's bizarre dismissal—treading on his stumps—ushered in Courtney Walsh’s return. Ambrose then took center stage again, dismissing Sanjeewa de Silva to reach his 300th wicket in his 71st Test. He became only the fourth West Indian and the twelfth bowler overall to reach this landmark—a moment of statistical glory wrapped in quiet ferocity.

A Reply Undone: Sri Lanka Strike Back

West Indies’ reply began with composure, but quickly unraveled due to careless shot selection and an inspired burst from Pushpakumara. Lara, controversially given out caught behind, left with visible disbelief. His early exit sparked a chain reaction: the lower order was dismantled in spectacular fashion by Muttiah Muralitharan, who bowled the final three wickets in 35 balls—without conceding a single run.

Campbell's half-century stood as the only beacon in a flurry of poor strokes and missed opportunities. From 113 for 4, West Indies collapsed to 134 all out, surrendering their advantage with alarming haste.

Ambrose Leads Again: The Turning Point

Ambrose resumed his role as enforcer in Sri Lanka’s second innings. Jayasuriya, so dominant in the first dig, was gone by the third ball—caught behind. Ambrose struck twice more in quick succession, this time with meaningful backup. Bishop found rhythm, Hooper teased, and Sri Lanka folded quickly.

Their best stand—just 44 between Ranatunga and Aravinda de Silva—was hardly sufficient. Bishop's double strike in one over pulled the heart out of the innings, and no one else could stem the tide. In just 35 overs, Sri Lanka were all out again, setting West Indies a target of 187—modest, but not trivial given the low-scoring nature of the match.

A Glimpse of Glory: The Williams-Campbell Show

If the rest of the match was defined by struggle, West Indies’ second innings offered an exuberant counterpoint. Campbell and Williams unleashed a dazzling assault on the Sri Lankan bowlers, racing to 160 with strokes that were both authoritative and stylish.

Williams, the more fluent of the pair, struck 12 boundaries and two sixes in just over two and a half hours before falling at long-on. Campbell too, after a well-paced knock, gave his wicket away cheaply. Lara’s brief stay ended in disappointment—dismissed second ball—followed immediately by debutant Reifer’s exit.

But the early fireworks had already ensured that the target was within reach. Victory came half an hour before tea, though not without the reminder that this was a contest of fragile momentum and bold counterattack.

A Win Built on Fire and Frailty

The final result—victory by seven wickets with two days to spare—masks the fragility that often hovered beneath West Indies’ performance. They relied heavily on the brilliance of Ambrose, the energy of Campbell and Williams, and a few moments of Muralitharan-like magic from their bowlers.

Sri Lanka, for their part, batted with heart in the face of dangerous conditions but could not string together complete innings. Their collapse under pressure reflected a lack of depth and adaptability, and yet they exposed West Indies' vulnerabilities in a match that was far more even than the scoreboard would suggest.

In the end, it was a contest won not just by skill but by seizing the moments—and Curtly Ambrose, more than anyone, knew how to seize them.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar