Lord’s Heatwave and the Cold Truth About Australian Cricket

The sun at Lord’s was punishing — the kind of oppressive heat that turns silk ties limp and prompts otherwise dignified gentlemen in the pavilion to knot handkerchiefs on their heads. On days like this, strangeness has a habit of creeping in: birds fly backwards, shadows stretch unnaturally, and leg-spinners rediscover their art.

Ian Bell was meant to be the day’s anchor, producing his third Ashes century in succession, a feat matched only by the greats — Hobbs, Hammond, Broad. He came to the crease with England teetering at 28 for 3, under the gaze of the Queen and the fire of Ryan Harris. Bell’s cover drives glistened like glass in the heat haze, understated strokes from an understated man. Yet cricket has a knack for rewriting its own script. By the close, Australia — bookending the day with wickets and poise — held the advantage, armed with a fresh ball and fresher hope.

But the romance of Bell’s innings soon collided with the blunt reality of Australia’s resilience with the ball and, more tellingly, their recklessness with the bat.

Collapse in the Cauldron

The pitch, dry but honest, had runs in it. What it demanded was patience. Australia gave it impatience. Their first-innings dismissal for 128 was not the result of unplayable deliveries but of an unplayable mindset. Poor shot selection, lapses in judgment, and an absence of fight defined the innings. Swann claimed five wickets almost by invitation. Harris, having earned a place on the honours board with 5 for 72, could only watch in fury as his teammates undid his work.

This was not merely a bad batting day — it was a window into the decline of an institution.

The Broader Decay

Andrew Strauss, with the detached precision of a surgeon, once remarked on the drop in standards he saw in Australian domestic cricket during England’s 2010–11 tour. The once-proud grade and Sheffield Shield systems, historically the finest proving grounds in the game, have been marginalised. The Shield now exists at the season’s fringes, ceding prime summer months to the Big Bash League. Matches are played on green, sporty surfaces designed for quick results rather than the cultivation of Test-level technique.

The financial incentives tell their own story. Players can earn more in six weeks of T20 than they do for a year grinding through the Shield. As Mickey Arthur once warned, “That’s the wrong way round.” When the craft of Test cricket pays less — in money, in prestige, in development — the craft withers.

England’s Ascendancy

England, by contrast, are in a golden era, buttressed by coherent planning and a domestic structure still tethered to the rhythms of first-class cricket. Lord’s became a showcase for their adaptability. Joe Root’s 180 was a masterclass in calculated patience morphing into expansive dominance. Graeme Swann’s spin, timed to perfection on a wearing surface, became the decisive weapon.

Even without major contributions from Alastair Cook or Kevin Pietersen, England dismantled Australia with almost clinical detachment. They have now won four Ashes Tests in a row, and the urn — already halfway retained — seems beyond realistic threat.

Symbolism in Defeat

Australia’s manner of losing at Lord’s was more telling than the margin — a record-equalling sixth consecutive Test defeat. Clarke, the captain, remains the side’s solitary world-class batsman, yet even he seems a man stranded between eras: too talented to be swallowed by mediocrity, too isolated to change it. The support cast — Watson’s familiar lbw exits, Hughes’ loose strokes, Khawaja’s premature aggression — reflects a side unsure of its own method.

Off the field, the picture is no less fractured. The public spat between sacked coach Mickey Arthur and Cricket Australia, the petty distractions of player disputes, and the constant hum of corporate spin all point to a system in disarray.

Lord’s as Judgement Day

For Australia, Lord’s was not just a cricket ground but a court of reckoning. In 2005, Ponting’s Australians celebrated here with raucous dominance. In 2013, Clarke’s Australians left humbled, their inadequacies exposed in the harshest light — at the home of cricket, in front of the world, on a pitch that asked questions they no longer seemed equipped to answer.

England, meanwhile, did not need to shout their superiority. Root’s grin after reaching his hundred, the quiet handshakes in the middle, Swann’s wry celebrations — all of it spoke of a side that knows its own strength.

The heatwave at Lord’s revealed more than sweat and sunburn. It showed a game tilting on its axis: England, precise and unflustered; Australia, flailing for a method, a structure, a future. Cricket’s cycles are long, but as the shadows lengthened on that fourth day, it felt less like a blip for Australia and more like the closing of an era.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar

To Become The Best, County Cricket Still Remains The Best Option

 

Bangladeshi cricket fans are eagerly awaiting the chance to see their two cricketing icons—Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal—compete in the upcoming Caribbean Premier League (CPL) starting July 30. Shakib, a dynamic all-rounder, will represent Barbados under the leadership of West Indian power-player Kieron Pollard, while the ever-resilient Tamim will don the Saint Lucia colours, captained by the charismatic Darren Sammy.

For many, the CPL represents an exciting showcase of cricketing skill, but as alluring as these leagues are, there are concerns regarding their impact on developing the skill, temperament, and resilience essential for a sustainable international career—especially for players from emerging cricket nations like Bangladesh and Zimbabwe. For such teams, the focus on longer-format cricket is often regarded as crucial to foster well-rounded, seasoned players capable of handling the pressures of top-tier competition. Thus, while franchise leagues may offer substantial financial incentives and exposure, they do not necessarily nurture the foundational strengths of a cricketer. Instead, if Bangladeshi players were to secure opportunities to play more first-class cricket, particularly in England's county circuit, they could experience a more transformative journey toward cricketing excellence.

The county circuit, rich with history and tradition, provides a structured environment that rigorously tests a player’s technical proficiency, adaptability, and mental strength. The testing pitches and varying weather conditions demand adjustments to a batsman’s patience and a bowler’s persistence, ensuring that every match presents an opportunity for growth. Playing in the county championships has famously helped cricketers hone their craft, turning promising players into consistent performers on the world stage. In recent years, however, a trend toward shorter-format leagues has left fewer modern players interested in the commitment and intensity required by county cricket.

From Bangladesh's perspective, a robust season with a first-division county team could be transformative. Domestic cricket in Bangladesh has been hindered by logistical issues and a lack of competitive matches, potentially fostering complacency rather than growth. Engaging in county cricket would provide Bangladeshi players with a higher level of competition and regular, quality gameplay, which is critical for their development. This environment could benefit players like Shakib, and Tamim, or even promising talents such as Nasir Hossain, Mushfiqur Rahim, and Anamul Haque, should they secure opportunities to play in this esteemed setting.

Shakib’s past stint with Worcestershire in 2010 exemplifies how county cricket can shape a cricketer’s potential into tangible achievements. Worcestershire, reeling from a winless 2009 season and relegation to Division 2, sought Shakib to invigorate the squad. Joining the ranks of cricket legends like Imran Khan, Ian Botham, and Kapil Dev, who had previously played for Worcestershire, Shakib did not disappoint. He began his campaign with a composed 90 against Derbyshire and later blasted a brisk 72 against the Unicorns in a limited-overs game. His all-around prowess was evident across formats, as he amassed 398 runs in eight first-class matches and added 187 more in just five limited-overs appearances.

Yet it was Shakib’s bowling that truly dazzled. His skilful left-arm spin consistently stifled opponents; a standout performance of 8 for 102 against Gloucestershire underscored his versatility and impact. His 7 for 23 against Middlesex and 4 for 32 against Glamorgan in one-day games cemented him as a vital asset for Worcestershire that season. Shakib’s 35 wickets in eight first-class games and nine in limited overs underscored his adaptability to county cricket’s demanding conditions. His record-breaking efforts played a pivotal role in Worcestershire’s eventual promotion to Division 1—a feat that would have been unimaginable at the start of the season.

The tenacity and adaptability Shakib honed in county cricket undoubtedly shaped him into the world-class all-rounder who remains Bangladesh’s lynchpin. Sadly, his involvement with county teams since then has been limited to T20 leagues, a trend also observed with Tamim. The focus on shorter formats may limit the growth of talents who would otherwise thrive in the discipline of county championships, forging greater consistency and resilience.

County cricket’s rich history of producing cricketing stalwarts attests to its developmental benefits, which players from Bangladesh could greatly benefit from. Nasir, Mushfiqur, and Anamul, too, could gain valuable insights and skill improvements by experiencing the rigours of a full county season. Such exposure could bolster Bangladesh’s core and cultivate a future generation of cricketers adept at the technical and mental demands of international cricket.

In today’s cricketing landscape, while franchise leagues provide fame and fortune, it is through the long, unglamorous grind of county cricket that a player’s mettle is truly tested and refined. For Bangladeshi players, it remains a pathway not only to personal excellence but to a more competitive national team.

 

Thank You

Faisal Caesar

Shahid Afridi: The Daydream That Cricket Sometimes Allows

Who writes your scripts?

It’s the question that was once famously asked of Ian Botham when he conjured yet another improbable miracle on his Test comeback in 1986. It could just as easily have been posed today to Shahid Afridi. On a drizzly morning in Providence, Afridi returned to the international fold and delivered a performance so staggering that it seemed written by a mischievous dramatist: 76 runs off 55 balls, then 7 wickets for 12 runs. It was one of the greatest all-round shows ever in one-day internationals.

A Comeback Overshadowed by Skepticism

Afridi’s return to Pakistan’s ODI side had been met with raised eyebrows, even quiet derision. In recent months, Pakistan had purged the experienced ranks — Younis Khan, Shoaib Malik, Kamran Akmal all axed — and many wondered if Afridi, with no wickets in his last six ODIs and a self-conception more as a bowler these days, deserved yet another resurrection.

Those doubts were crushed under the weight of Afridi’s own audacity. This was not a cricketer tentatively seeking redemption; this was a comet blazing defiantly across a skeptical sky.

First, The Bat — Reckless and Sublime

The stage was set for disaster. Jason Holder’s menacing spell (8-4-8-4) had reduced Pakistan to 47 for 5. Misbah-ul-Haq was in his usual monk-like vigil, inching along at barely a run an over. Into this ruin walked Afridi, who on his third ball lofted a nonchalant six over long-off. A man of lesser ego might have dug in. Afridi swung again, sending the ball and West Indies’ plans into orbit.

Chris Gayle dropped a tough chance at slip, and after that Afridi simply galloped. Samuels offered long hops, Sammy was dabbed cheekily then driven mercilessly, and Sunil Narine — the mystery spinner deemed West Indies’ best threat — was bludgeoned out of the attack, taken for 32 runs in three overs.

On a pitch where Pakistan’s other batsmen ground out 120 off 245 balls, Afridi breezed to 76 from 55. His innings was both an act of liberation and madness, the reckless poetry that only he can script.

Then, The Ball — Sorcery and Ruin

The real genius of Afridi’s day lay not only in what he did, but when he did it. Pakistan’s 224 seemed a formidable score once West Indies slumped to 7 for 3 — their second-lowest ever after three wickets down in an ODI. Mohammad Irfan’s thunderbolts did early damage, but it was Misbah’s direct hit that sent Chris Gayle trudging off, a fatal blow to Caribbean hopes.

Still, Samuels and Simmons mounted a cautious, slow crawl. The required rate crept past six. Enter Afridi as Pakistan’s sixth bowler — and the game dissolved under his spell. Simmons was stumped, Bravo trapped plumb next ball. Afridi wheeled away in his star-man celebration, arms aloft, face aflame with childlike triumph.

His legbreaks, sliders, the odd googly and even an offbreak — each was a riddle too complex for West Indies’ batsmen. Pollard, starved of confidence after three ducks in four innings, was caught for three. Samuels fell lbw to a ball that bit sharply. Roach offered a tame return catch to give Afridi five-for.

By the time he returned for one final over, Sammy and Narine — who had miraculously survived the other bowlers — perished swiftly. West Indies folded for 98, their lowest ever ODI total at home. Afridi’s final figures: 9 overs, 2 maidens, 12 runs, 7 wickets.

The Symbolism — Folly, Genius, and the Intoxicating Unknown

Afridi’s cricket has always danced on the knife’s edge between genius and self-destruction. Dare to dismiss him as a fluke, a casino dice-roller masquerading as a cricketer, and he replies with days like this. He holds the record for the fastest ODI hundred. He helped Pakistan lift a World T20. His shelf groans under Man-of-the-Match awards.

Yet no one — least of all Afridi himself — knows what comes next. That is his singular magnetism: the thrill of living a daydream, so absurd it belongs to boys on dusty grounds, not men on international stages.

The Larger Lament — West Indies’ Brittle Promise

Amid this theatre of Afridi, spare a thought for West Indies. Always a side on the cusp of renaissance, always a side slipping backward again. Their bowlers had Pakistan on the mat on a pitch Misbah called “one of the toughest” he’s ever played on. Yet their famed big-hitters mustered only 98 in 257 balls, flailing against both spin and psychology.

Providence Stadium had not seen international cricket for two years, owing to administrative wranglings. The local fans, starved of spectacle, were finally treated to one — though it was Pakistan’s flamboyant mercenary who provided it, not their own.

The Question of Legacy — What now for Afridi?

Afridi was dropped from the Champions Trophy, much to his chagrin. His social media missives and media sound bites since then have brimmed with desire to sign off on his terms — by playing the next World Cup. In fairness, his batting against South Africa was vibrant too, though he was judged harshly on his bowling in a series unsuited to spinners.

Why was Afridi overlooked while others of dubious merit went to England? Perhaps because with Afridi, there is never certainty — only the guarantee that when he does perform, it is seismic.

How long will this last? Not even Afridi can tell you. But for one electric day in Guyana, he gave cricket lovers the sort of soaring escape normally reserved for dreams.

Thank You 

Faisal Caesar 

The first Test at Trent Bridge: Where the Ashes Found its Poetry Again

Frenzied. That was the first word that came to mind. But frenzy hardly contains the raw, aching theatre that unfolded at Trent Bridge over five days that felt both timeless and as if they might slip through our fingers in an instant. Cricket has long been celebrated for its slow, smouldering drama, for how it allows tension to spool out thread by delicate thread until it either snaps or binds two adversaries in a mutual appreciation of each other’s courage. And in this first Ashes Test, the old game gave us a masterclass in precisely that.

The numbers – England’s 14-run victory, Anderson’s 10 wickets, Agar’s 98, Bell’s 109 – are merely scaffolding. What they supported was something richer, a narrative that rippled with human frailty, audacity and the sheer delightful unpredictability that only cricket, in its maddest moods, can conjure.

The Unexpected Grace of Youth

Perhaps nowhere was this better embodied than by Ashton Agar, a teenager so fresh that his first delivery in Ashes cricket was a low full toss, a nervous apology to Shane Warne’s ghost. Yet by the end of his first innings, he was smiling at the world, holding two world records and tugging the entire contest into a parallel reality that Australia had scarcely dared to imagine. His 98 was no slogger’s fantasy; it was batting of intelligence and clarity, played with the body loose and the mind clear.

His story was not simply the making of a No. 11 with improbable runs. It was cricket’s persistent message that pedigree is secondary to possibility, that this game – for all its spreadsheets and analysts – still breathes in accidents and young men who decide, on a whim almost, that they will not bow to the obvious script.

England’s Master of Mood

And yet it was James Anderson, England’s artist of late movement, who turned this match into an English sonnet, complete with minor heartbreaks, delicate cadences, and a rousing couplet at the end. Anderson bowled with all the qualities that make the best fast bowling indistinguishable from poetry: control, subtle variation, and above all, a profound sense of timing. His late spell on the final morning, an unbroken stretch that demanded almost cruel levels of endurance, was a reminder that while youth may write new verses, it takes a craftsman to give them shape and meaning.

It was Anderson who exposed Australia’s tail, who found that extra inch of seam or swing when England needed it most. If Cook is England’s stern moral compass and Bell their elegant prose stylist, Anderson is their nerve, their living testament to what repeated heartbreak can forge: resilience without bitterness.

The Taint of the Broad Incident

Not all poetry is pure. This match will also be remembered for Stuart Broad’s non-walk. When he feathered Agar to slip via Haddin’s gloves and stood there as Aleem Dar signalled not out, it brought old debates about “the spirit of cricket” howling back into the English summer air. Broad’s defiance was awkward, even cringe-inducing, and the replays played his guilt on loop.

Yet if we’re honest, it also belonged to the modern game’s ethos. Players stand their ground now, because they are told it is the umpire’s job to judge, not theirs to confess. Still, the moment stained the day’s romance a little, not least because of how obvious it was. It was the one truly graceless note in a match that otherwise surged with the better parts of human character: risk, endurance, ingenuity, and occasionally, raw, humble apology to fate.

Bell’s Quiet Epic and England’s Grinding Genius

For Bell, there was a personal reckoning too. Too often dismissed as a man for pretty 30s, he batted here with an inner steel that proved once again how misleading reputation can be. His 109 was not just statistically important, it was aesthetically perfect for the situation: understated, precise, played with angles rather than force, a hundred that made England believe this contest would bend eventually to their will.

England’s method remains to wear teams down. It is cricket by attrition, by dry surfaces and disciplined lines and cautious second-innings fifties. Their critics find it dull; their supporters call it thorough. In the end, it worked, though it needed Anderson’s wizardry to seal it.

The Ashes as Enduring Allegory

What lingers from Trent Bridge is less the scorecard than the sense of sport stretching itself toward its most lyrical possibilities. We had the nostalgia of reverse swing on cracked Nottingham earth, the old man’s cunning from Clarke undone by the lightest of Hot Spot marks, the boy Agar batting with a smile too big for his helmet, Haddin’s last desperate stand, and a crowd that lived every ball as if it might be their last.

The Ashes often become a mirror, not just of two nations’ competitive instincts, but of how we all handle hope, fear, and the unstoppable trudge of time. This was a Test that took both sides to the brink of despair, only to reel them back with promise. That it ended in favour of England was almost secondary; what mattered was that it left us, players and spectators alike, a little more breathless, a little more grateful to be living through an era when cricket can still produce days like these.

When the urn is finally lifted later this summer, they may remember statistics. But they should also remember the long, crackling hours at Trent Bridge, when an old game felt exquisitely alive, and every heartbeat in the ground could be heard, almost, above the hum of a sunlit English afternoon.

Thank You 

Faisal Caesar 

Representing your country internationally is always a matter of great pride: Aminul Islam

When you think about Aminul Islam, the picture of a composed and disciplined character comes into your mind. In his playing days, he was the symbol of hope and assurance for Bangladesh cricket. His services towards Bangladesh cricket are huge and his dedication is an example to emulate for the young generation.

Very recently, Aminul Islam had a candid talk with me. He was charming, thoughtful, and at times emotional while talking with Fenomeno Blog.  

Fenomeno: You chose to play cricket in an era when soccer was the most popular sport in Bangladesh. What influenced you to take cricket as a profession?

Aminul Islam: When I was young, soccer was the heart and soul of every Bangladeshi. Soccer stars like Salauddini, Chunnu, Kaiser Hamid, and Aslam were household names. I also wanted to be a soccer player. Those soccer players were so amazing that they inspired a generation to take soccer seriously.

In my home, alongside soccer, cricket too was followed. My elder brother used to play cricket. We used to follow cricket commentaries on radios as in those days; live telecasts were not available like today. But still, in the early 80s, I didn’t take cricket seriously though I used to play cricket. I represented in soccer teams like East End (1985-86) and Victoria (1987). Even in 1988, I got an offer from Brother’s Union to play soccer and cricket simultaneously. The year 1988 was significant for me.

I was called upon by the Bangladesh Football Federations and Bangladesh Cricket Board simultaneously. Both the Bangladesh Football Federation and BCB proposed me to represent Bangladesh internationally in the youth team. Sadly, the anterior cruciate ligament of my knee joint was torn which prohibited me from playing soccer, I chose cricket instead.

Fenomeno: Then you were picked for the ICC Associates XI for the World Youth Cup in Australia………….

Aminul Islam: Yes I was playing for the ICC Associates XI in Australia. The ICC Associates XI included four players from Zimbabwe, two each from Bangladesh, Bermuda, Canada, Denmark, and the Netherlands. I and Liton were representing Bangladesh and in that tournament, I was performing quite well.

Our coach was an Australian named Peter Spence. He was pretty satisfied with my overall performance and advised me to stick to cricket and concentrate more on this game as I have a great future here. His motivation pushed me more to take cricket seriously.

Fenomeno: In the same year you were selected for the Bangladesh national team in the Asia Cup which was held in Bangladesh. How was the feeling of representing Bangladesh?

Aminul Islam: Representing your country internationally is always a matter of great pride. I was feeling immensely proud while representing Bangladesh with the ICC Associates XI in Australia. While I was faring well in Australia, one of the Australians advised me to stay in Australia and start playing cricket there.

According to him, Bangladesh has no future in cricket. But I replied that I would feel more proud to represent my own country and it was just a dream come true when I made my international debut against Sri Lanka in 1988.

Fenomeno: Cricket had hardly any hope in those days in Bangladesh. But still, cricketers like you, Minhazul Abedin, Akram Khan, and Gazi Ashraf Hossain Lipu carried on the hope of cricket amid the sky-high popularity of soccer. How difficult it was for you guys to carry on this hope?

Aminul Islam: It was tough indeed. Cricket didn’t have any professional structure in those days and above all, it was an expensive game. Cricket kits were very expensive and it was hard to buy new kits. Again, there was no such competitive domestic cricket to motivate the next generation and above all, there was no proper funding in the game to inspire young boys to take cricket as a profession.

But I myself, Akram Khan, Minhazul Abedin Nannu, and Gazi Ashraf Hossain Lipu were all in love with the game. We were cricketers full of passion and optimism. We strongly believe that cricket will bloom in Bangladesh. Our passion helped us to move on amid the sky-high popularity of soccer.

Fenomeno: Your batting was based on a solid technique. Many found a touch of Javed Miandad and Sunil Gavaskar in your batting. Did those two batsmen influence your batting?

Aminul Islam: Basically I was a fan of Richie Richardson. I used to follow his batting a lot. As we didn’t have any frequent live telecasts in those days like today, so whatever matches were telecast in those days, I used to follow them sincerely and studied them, especially Richardson’s batting. Batsmen like Sunil Gavaskar and Javed Miandad were always a big inspiration.

Coming back to my batting technique, well, my solid technique developed due to my coach Bashir Bhai. He was my first cricket coach during my younger days while I was living in Gandaria, Old Dhaka. Then the valuable advice of Osman Bhai, my coach during Nirman School cricket, also helped me a lot. And above all, one man had a tremendous positive impact throughout my cricketing career and he is none but the great Syed Ashraful Haque.

Also, in my 20s, I played in minor counties in England which helped me to develop adaptability against any attack. Also, the experience of playing in Australia’s hard and bouncy tracks helped me in developing a solid technique.

Fenomeno: Tell us something about the ICC Trophy in 1997. That victory totally changed the face of Bangladesh cricket. Isn’t it?

Aminul Islam: It had been the most significant event which changed the face of Bangladesh cricket. In the previous ICC events, we failed to live up to the expectations. Only the champion team was allowed to play in the ICC World Cup before the 1997 event.

But in 1997, three teams would qualify to play in the World Cup. We thought that this was our best chance. We vowed to do well and even if we had to die to win this tournament, we were prepared for that as well. Our coach Gordon Greenidge had done a tremendous job in preparing ourselves for the tournament. We worked very hard and thanks to Almighty Allah our hard work had paid off.

Fenomeno: In the final of the ICC Trophy 1997, you and Akram Khan were in a steady partnership. You two didn’t hit boundaries but plucked singles and couples despite the escalating asking run rate. What were you both thinking during that time?

Aminul Islam: We lost Naimur Rahman early. But Mohammad Rafique and Minhazul Abedin didn’t let the pressure of that early dismissal get into us. They both essayed breezy knocks. After their dismissals, there was a dodgy period.

I had Akram Khan with me at the wicket and we both concentrated on fetching singles and couples as the Kenyan spinners were in operation and they were much more disciplined. It was hard to hit them. Both I and Akram kept on saying to each other that we could do it; it was not an impossible task.

Fenomeno: What about the grand reception in Dhaka?

Aminul Islam: We could not even realize that Dhaka and the whole country would have gone such crazy with this win. We were greeted by a vast crowd in Manik Miah Avenue and it is pretty hard to describe that emotional moment in words.

Fenomeno: Then Bangladesh played in the ICC World Cup in 1999. The match against Pakistan is a part of Bangladesh cricket’s folklore. Did you guys think that you could beat that strong Pakistani team?

Aminul Islam: Bangladesh as a team were improving in each match during that World Cup while Pakistan were unbeaten before playing against us and were in top-notch. Before facing them, we just thought of playing our natural game.

Our veteran cricketers like Minhazul Abedin and Faruk Ahmed declared of retiring from cricket after this last game against Pakistan. So I told my boys to make it a day to remember for these two great cricketers of our land. The rest is history.

Fenomeno: Then a year after the World Cup, Bangladesh gained the much-desired Test status. Do you think that Test status was pretty early for us?

Aminul Islam: First of all, the achievement of the Test status was largely possible due to then BCB’s CEO Syed Ashraful Haque’s diplomatic approach. He was highly instrumental in achieving this Test status.

Now, Even if the Test status was given today, you would have asked whether it was too early or not.

We gained the Test status at the right time and in these thirteen years, you need to look at the positives. Though I think, there were areas which were needed to be galvanized, still, I think it was not early but lack of proper planning and implementation of the right works have not led to a successful thirteen years of Test cricket for Bangladesh.

Fenomeno: Bangladesh’s batting in the Test format lacks stability. Don’t you think that we need to give more importance to playing more 4-day and 5-day formats in the domestic arena rather than indulging too much in T20 cricket?

Aminul Islam: Listen, brother, T20 is not cricket but a baseball game. Test cricket is all about technique and temperament. To achieve the desired results in Test cricket, you need to give more importance to the longer-version games and improve the domestic structure. Not only in domestic cricket but also in the U-19 and school level, you need to build the habit of playing two-day or three-day games, so that the attitude grows up amongst the young boys earlier.

Fenomeno: Bangladesh played its inaugural Test match on November 10, 2000. Before the Test match, there was a lot of drama regarding your selection……..

Aminul Islam: I was not sure whether I would get selected for the team or not. I was having a bad patch. I was written off by the local newspapers. The situation was such that I would get picked as I have given service to my national team for a long time.

They were showing mercy towards my long-term service but not judging my abilities at all.

At that tough moment, I received great support from my coach late Eddie Barlow, Imran Bhai, and captain Naimur Rahman. Finally, I was selected. Even some of the newspapers wrote why I was being selected! But thanks to Allah I delivered the best for my team.

Fenomeno: Tell us something about your magical 145 against India…….

Aminul Islam: I was determined to do well. I gave plenty of time to adapt myself to the conditions. The Indian attack was boosted by Srinath, Agarkar, Sunil Joshi, and co. It was a strong attack. I waited for the loose balls and planned to play session by session. I got nervous when I was in my 90s.

I became slow.

Two names kept wandering in my mind – Javed Miandad and Pravin Amre. Both of them had scored Test hundreds for their country on debut. I kept on motivating myself by remembering their unique feat. Finally, I reached my hundred and thanked the Almighty Allah.

Soon after thanking Allah, I looked towards the dressing room where a paralyzed Eddie Barlow was trying hard to stand up from his wheelchair to give a standing ovation. Later his wife helped him to stand up. These are just precious moments.

Fenomeno: Suddenly you got lost in our cricket. You didn’t even retire from cricket officially……

Aminul Islam: After playing against India, some of our newspapers started to raise the voice of building a national team for the World Cup 2003 without the senior members. I was dropped in the Test and ODI series against Zimbabwe in 2001. Gradually I was being ignored.

As a matter of fact, I was getting more accustomed to Bangladesh cricket’s newest cricket atmosphere. But a certain group never wanted me to flourish. They even didn’t want me to play in our domestic cricket or even minor local games. Slowly I held myself back from my country’s cricket.

I flew to Australia where I am a permanent citizen as well. I started cricket coaching there. I have taken proper coaching and training in Australia. I am never lost from cricket. I am still with cricket.

Fenomeno: Pace bowling is a worry for Bangladesh. We had a pace hunting program in 2003-04. Don’t you think we need to start the pace-hunting program again and continue it? Or, According to you, what measures the BCB should take?

Aminul Islam: Definitely we need to start such programs and continue it. Again, our wickets must be encouraging ones for the pace bowlers as well. Then there should be a strategy to build fast bowlers – a fitness regime and proper diet.

Fenomeno: What sort of strategy does Bangladesh need to do well in Test cricket?

Aminul Islam: Every Test-playing nation has a specific strategy to do well in Test cricket. You need to gain confidence by doing well at home. You need bowlers to take twenty wickets and batsmen to score consistently. Look at India and Sri Lanka.

Their strategy of doing well at home is built upon their spinners apart from their brilliant batsmen, while the medium pacers aid those spinners to strike gold.

We can follow that role model as our conditions are quite similar to them. We are blessed with some quality spinners but these spinners are never utilized according to a plan. As our pace bowlers are not that good, a strategy like India and Sri Lanka could have been followed. But I don’t understand why such strategic actions have not been taken so far.

Fenomeno: We all are shocked by Ashraful’s involvement with spot-fixing. The dubious involvement of Mohammad Rafique, Khaled Mahmud, and Khaled Masud are shocking as well…….

Aminul Islam: First of all Mohammad Rafique, Khaled Mahmud, and Khaled Masud’s case have not yet been proven. I came to know about this whole saga through our local newspapers. Ashraful’s case was simply upsetting. As he has accepted his wrongdoings so what can I say about that. Yes, it is a very frustrating thing for our cricket.

Fenomeno: What should the BCB do to stop corruption in our cricket?

Aminul Islam: The BCB should develop a strong monitoring system in our domestic matches. A strong monitoring system in domestic cricket can help to stop corruption

Fenomeno: You have been a very good captain. Who was your role model? What was your strategy as a captain?

Aminul Islam: Clive Lloyd was my role model as a captain. I always wanted to be a leader like him. As a captain my policy was simple. I was more a player’s captain than a strategist. I gave my players freedom and always listened to them. My motto was always to win.

Fenomeno: How do you rate the present Bangladesh team?

Aminul Islam: I rate them highly. Their body language is always very positive. They fight hard in every game. Many players in our current team have plenty of international matches under their belt but despite this, they are not able to deliver according to their experience in the international arena. Perhaps that’s why Bangladesh still aren’t able to strike gold consistently.

Fenomeno: Who is your favourite cricketer in the Bangladesh team?

Aminul Islam: I enjoy watching Nasir Hossain. He is my favourite player in the current Bangladesh team. The boy is bustling with energy and is very positive. It’s always a joy to watch Nasir in action.

Fenomeno: How is your new role as a coach in the Asian Cricket Council going?

Aminul Islam: I am immensely enjoying it. We are given the responsibility to develop cricket in countries like China, Myanmar, Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore, and Taiwan. In these countries, cricket is flourishing and I am happy with my work so far.

Fenomeno: Thank you so much, sir. It had been a pleasure to talk to you. Do you wish to say something to your fans?

Aminul Islam: It was a pleasure talking with you. To the fans, I want to say that I shall always remain grateful to them for the love and support they have given me throughout my life.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar