matter of just 8 runs.................!!!

[vv_sunil]

Matter of just 8 runs………………..!!!!

Bangladesh have failed to score 8 more runs in the first innings, which eventually cost the match to them. Is that 8 more runs such important to decide the fate of the test? Yes, I think yes…. There was lot of impact on that 8 runs and that was the turning point of a match, which was going to prove something good for Bangladesh.

Bangladesh was doing well since from the first ball of the second day. It was really an achievement to them to take 8 wickets in less than 6 hours of so called strong batting line-up. Then, a good opening partnership, (forget the mini collapse to 54/3), followed by inspirational batting performance by Mohammed Ashraful, and the good support extended to him by Bashar, Aftab, Mashud..etc. They would have been 420/9 or some thing like that by the end of the third day. Here it comes the importance of 8 runs, which they ultimately failed to score……and to save the test.

Everything was going perfect, but I think the management has not taken the things so seriously and failed to frame a strategy to save the test match. Their ultimate goal at that time was to bat and score runs as much as they can, but not set a target to save the test. Yes, I still believe it was achievable if the management and players had applied themselves a little more and at the end it would have been a memorable test for Bangladesh.

What an inspiration transformed to batsman after restricting India 540 (with a score of 334/2, and dravid, tendulkar, ganguly, laxman… still remaining, everybody was expecting a huge score of 650/6 or some thing like that just before the end of the 2nd day and all set to take 1 / 2 wickets of Bangladesh for 20/30 runs by the end of the 2nd day. And the expectation was that India is going to win this match on 3rd match, defeating Bangladesh by innings and huge margin) Here is the achievement. They transformed the enthusiam produced by the bowlers to batsmen and after a long long time, their openers have played smartly and almost survived the last session. It was the wrong decision to send mashrafe as the night watchman, who is having lack of match practice was surely not a best choice for the job. I think manjural islam rana was the man to be there at that moment.

Look at the facts, they batted well in the first innings in such a situation where there is not much tremendous pressure on them and the other batsmen followed good opening partnership. It helped others to play confidently and score runs. Ashraful was wonderful and it proved he can play well, but need a good platform. Moreover, they batted second in the innings, which means they were in the filed for a long time and suddenly they got inspired by the bowlers. That took-off the pressure from them and they responded well by batting solidly.

Now how the matter of 8 runs comes in to the picture? Because they failed to score 8 more runs in the first innings and so, failed to avoid follow-on. The impact of follow-on created mental block in the minds of batsmen again and they suddenly becomes dead under negative thinking. They suddenly become the victims of under pressure and given-up the match before the start of the second innings. Nobody was ready to apply themselves and make a fight there. Everybody was doing just a formality as it was very clear from their body language that they ‘don’t want to bat’, thinking the result is inevitable as usual. I think that kind of feeling killed all their skills and dead under negative feeling.

Then what would have been the situation, if they score 8 more runs in the first innings? Certainly, it would have been a draw. Yes, management failed here. They would have asked mashud and ashraftul to stay in the creese till they cross the 341 runs marks and it was possible. If somebody fails, rafique is there. Okey, don’t worry both of them failed, and also talha. But why was that suicidal run-out? That was cruel. The test match slipped out then between the lips and cups. Some kind of casual attitude was developed after ashraful’s century. both ashraful and aftagb was shaky after the century and aftab paid the cost for it. The other batsmen followed seems to be very relaxed, may they were thinking that they have already achieved their goal. They failed to keep in mind that they are capable of saving this test and resulted some poor play in the end .

If they scored 8 more runs in that innings, I was sure that Bangladesh would capable of scoring more than 400 runs in the innings. It means India would have to resume their 2nd innings in the late hours of third play. Then what? They will try to score around 300 runs by 4th day lunch, for that they would have to play aggressively. It means it will give the opportunity to the Bangladesh to bowl them out in the second innings, then the morality of the team would go up again as they bowled-out the world’s best 2nd team twice in a test match. Moral boosting performance… confidence growing again.. fans cheering.. appreciation from all around the corner…. Yes, they have to survive one and half more days to survive the test… with all support from the corner… their batsman in the filed with straight head again…. Oh…what a finish???

But all these ruined just because of 8 run….here it is the importance of 8 run….. it is merely just 8 run…. But what an importance…. It took away everything from Bangladesh and they are still in the back seat where they are in since a long time. But who is responsible for this debacle? I think AFTAB AHMED…. he should have been more careful at that moment and should try to play a longer innings there……yes all the excuses are there to save thim. But still………………………….oh no…Bangladesh lost another test, yet again by innings and 81 runs!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[DJ Sahastra]

I think the whole argument, though very interesting, is flawed.

While everything was going BDs way in the afternoon session, one thing in India's favour was the time. The fact that the runs were made at a quick rate is something that worked in India's favour. I would've been more worried if those runs were made at half the pace that they were made.

It's because test-match is not only about making runs but also about for how long you survived. Remember that Australia made 500+ runs and still lost to India, and that's because the game was played at a fast pace with lot of time to force the result despite the quantity of runs made.

With all regards and plaudits to Ashraful's innings, If BD had avoided the follow-on and started about 150 runs in arrears, it is still difficult to see how they would've saved the test. I am saying difficult, not impossible. Difficult because as it stands, Ashraful has been lone warrior with some but not adequate support from the rest.

India would've played about 60 overs more and made about 250 and declared. That would be leave BD with about 130 overs to play and 400+ to get. The important thing is, 130 overs or about 4 and a half sessions to survive. A very tall order for the current BD line-up despite Ashraful's heroics.

Yes, it would've been a big moral victory for BD despite the final outcome. But i don't think it would've made any difference to the final outcome, with all due respect. BD players have yet to learn to play out long hours. I hope they will, sooner than later.

[fab]

What do you guys think about Ganguly enforcing the follow-on? It is obvious that despite how average at cricket we are, he is still scared of us :)

[DJ Sahastra]

Ganguly enforcing follow-on was the best decision i've seen from him in many days. Not because it clicked, but because it was a brave decision. After all the Ashraful after-shocks, any captain would've been tempted to give his bolwers some rest and set up a target. The high spirits that BD players were in, the decision to enforce follow-on was a risky one. Look at the recent Australia-Pakistan match where Australia didn't enforce follow-on.

Far from looking as being scared, this decison was quite the contrary. Not enforcing follow-on would've actually meant that he got scared after the BD batting performance.

[vv_sunil]

Originally posted by DJ Sahastra
I think the whole argument, though very interesting, is flawed.

While everything was going BDs way in the afternoon session, one thing in India's favour was the time. The fact that the runs were made at a quick rate is something that worked in India's favour. I would've been more worried if those runs were made at half the pace that they were made.

It's because test-match is not only about making runs but also about for how long you survived. Remember that Australia made 500+ runs and still lost to India, and that's because the game was played at a fast pace with lot of time to force the result despite the quantity of runs made.

With all regards and plaudits to Ashraful's innings, If BD had avoided the follow-on and started about 150 runs in arrears, it is still difficult to see how they would've saved the test. I am saying difficult, not impossible. Difficult because as it stands, Ashraful has been lone warrior with some but not adequate support from the rest.

India would've played about 60 overs more and made about 250 and declared. That would be leave BD with about 130 overs to play and 400+ to get. The important thing is, 130 overs or about 4 and a half sessions to survive. A very tall order for the current BD line-up despite Ashraful's heroics.

Yes, it would've been a big moral victory for BD despite the final outcome. But i don't think it would've made any difference to the final outcome, with all due respect. BD players have yet to learn to play out long hours. I hope they will, sooner than later.

I totally agree with you. But one thing we have to keep in mind that now a days the game is so professional and everyone want to produce a results. Scoring runs in high pace is part of it and most of the test are win/loss result than dull draw. Its good Bangladesh applied themselves to score runs in high pace, but the question is that whether they have matured upto that level? Sadly, answer is no. they have to learn first to how to occupy in creese for a long time and play longer innings, then only they can survive in the test.

Secondly, they have to change their attitude. They have to apply themselves and to develop fighting spirit. They have to come out of their mental blocks and negative thinking. Even, ashraful was reluctant to come to bat in the 2nd innings saying he was tired after a long innings. Remember, he came to bat in the morning and not stayed there even for a day. If he keeps this kind of mentality, how can he become a great batsman? Gavaskar was rightly saying that time this is wrong, he should come to bat and lead from the front as his country is struggling at that moment. He should have that much guts and confidence, particularly after a very good dominating batting performance. That is the fighting spirit

Thirdly, they should seriously think to appoint a pshycological advisor to the team to develop their mental strength. It proved in this test match the inspiration, motivation, moral boosting can improve their performance. But , somebody should there for this job permanently and he should remain with the team for a long time.

But, im still agree with you by quoting your words that “it would've been a big moral victory for BD despite the final outcome. But i don't think it would've made any difference to the final outcome”

[cricketfan]

What should have been a thoroughly memorable day for Bangladesh metamorphosed into a horrible day in just one session. It was hoped by experts and lay persons that the first innings heroics of Ashraful will act as a huge inspiration to his team and the team will be galvanised into a super batting performance in the second innings. But then experts and lay persons were made to look like fools by Bangladesh batsmen yet again. Just when it appeared as if BD may have finally turned the corner in test cricket, the performance of BD in the second innings showed that "learning disability" is more than just a fancy term invented by cricinfo,Bangladeshi batsmen appeared uncomfortable setting high standards and maintaining it, and they reverted back to type at the first opportunity.

To transform a dominant situation of two sessions into a situation of abject surrender by the end of the third session was a feat that takes some doing. I have known of cases where teams have snatched defeat from jaws of victory, but to snatch mediocrity from the jaws of test respectability was totally unexpected. This day should have spurred BD into drawing this test match and into gaining momentum for greater deeds ahead, but one giant forward step in two sessions was followed by two giant backward steps in the reverse direction.

It appears that the great century by Ashraful will remain just a personal achievement and his fellow players and team will derive little gain or inspiration from it. If anything one fears that the tendency to self destruct when faced with a situation of promise may get replicated in future as well. What can Whatmore do to check this? He is just a cricket coach. What Bangladesh players need in a learning enabler. There may not be too many professionals in this field, because most persons do not need their services.

Disclaimer: Please do not take my post as BD bashing because it is not. I am just expressing my frustration on the performance of the BD players, nothing else.

I thought that India will not enforce follow on even if BD fell just short of this target. I thought that India will bat to allow its bowlers such rest. After all, Australia, having burnt their fingers thus against India at Kolkata in 2001 do not enforce follow on on India. Even Pakistan benefitted from this policy at Perth. Ganguly,s decision to enforce follow on was a positive decision. As things evolved, his decision ensured that whatever psychological and moral gains BD was hoping to get just vanished in thin air. The body language of Habibul Bashar at the prize distribution function on the fourth day was pathetic, to put it mildly. So, Ganguly has done the job in an emphatic way.

[cricketfan]

duplicate post

Edited on, December 20, 2004, 9:57 AM GMT, by cricketfan.

[PoorFan]

vv_sunil :

You have said all which has not told on this board yet.
That 8 run story says the difference among other test nation and BD.
Even though it seems a matter of 8 runs, but a huge as a result,
and we have no choice but to learn sooner than later.
We would not save the match anyway as DJ says, but we wasn't even able to apply or try on it.
That's the very important point and it shows we don't know yet how to turn these situations in favor.
A lots of elements should be developed to be a competitive test nation such as management, experience,
infrastructure, mental toughness, commitment so and so, but this time I think the reason behind the failure
is individual ( player's sense or mental whatever ). When we are 29 or 23 runs lack from to follow on,
and 3 wicket in hand, who would have think it's not achievable when Mashud and Rafiqe is there including Ash, in a test match?
Mashud, Rafiqe and other bowlers made that kind of runs so many many times, why had to fail this time?
And there are arguments about bad judgment from umpire, that also should be in consider of them as a test player.
Hope they analyze that 8 runs story, word by word as you did and learn something from the last match.

[fwullah]

Hate to spoil all the fun, but I think that we didn't try hard enough to get the follow on target once we realized that we got a set batsman in the crease.

[BushidoTiger]

I wonder if the last pair in the 1st innings was aware of the target (to avoid follow on)...if they knew they're only seven runs away from it..especially in that last dreadful over.

[Ahmed_B]

ASH probably single-handedly tried to save the follow on..
Quite brave & passionate of him I would say!

.. and before Ash started sending the indian bowlers hugely out of the ground.. there were not even the smallest chance of avoiding the FO.

I suppose all other in the team had already mentally accepted the follow-on thing... and realizing that ash started to hit huge.. just to reach the FO-mark before the last bat on the other side surrenders.. like almost all the previous!!!
matter of shame really(for the rest top-batsmen not supporting ash)..

Edited on, December 20, 2004, 6:09 PM GMT, by crickethorizon.

[Cricket46]

I agree we needed 8 more runs to avoid the follow-on, but it cannot be taken in isolation. When the last pair started we still needed 29 more runs. So getting 21 of those is pretty good. It should be looked at in that context. I do not have any doubt about the effort put in in the first innings, even though we could not save the follow-on. However, the actual problem was in the second innings. That is my worry. No one stood up in the second innings.

[Beamer]

Ash definitely knew the target and took it upon himself towards the end. Rafiq's dismissal was a sorry verdict from the umpire. That run-out wasn't necessary. You want to make your opposition earn your wkt rather than giving it away. Second innings was another matter altogether. It was a familiar story.

[James90]

Originally posted by fab
What do you guys think about Ganguly enforcing the follow-on? It is obvious that despite how average at cricket we are, he is still scared of us :)

It's the opposite of a fear factor. If he were playing Australia he wouldn't have enforced the follow on because it's likely that Australia would have got a big total and then they would have to chase in the fourth innings. Him enforsing the follow on was him thinking that Bangladesh aren't good enough to hit 208 to make India bat again

[fab]

Originally posted by Habibul_fan
It's the opposite of a fear factor.
But of course. I was just slightly amused at Ganguly showing his machoness with a mere 8 runs at hand..

[bourny3]

If they had scored that 8 runs. BD may be still batting today.

[chyicarus]

This is what i think- we're praising Ashraful's innings a little too much- in the sense that we're making that the highlight of the series. Yes, he performed tremedously well and showed that this BD side shouldn't be taken lightly and we have something in our players to show us this kind of magic- but the bottom line is we still lost the Test in 3 days. Isn't our first objective is to play 5 days of cricket? Why are we moving from our objectives? We're not in the ICC trophy stage anymore- this is the Test, we need to look into take small steps towards making this team a winning team!

[Orpheus]

Ashraful's innings is a small step towards a winning team.... we are praising that is worth the praise..... No one is overlooking second innings performance either.. but let the glass be half full!

cheers!

[vv_sunil]

if 8 more runs,,,,,, bangladesh could have extended the game to 5th day... and .... and...... and ... most importantly an another innings defear will not be in the records. afterallllllllll records speaks always.........

[al Furqaan]

both masud and rafiiq were given out for no reason...but so was laxman...anyways we dont know what would have happened to rafique he only scored 4 (a beautiful square drive it was)...but mashud's dismisal hurt...he was so set. after him, no one contributed with the bat.

[Rubu]

umpires are human, and no one expects them to be. but we shoule be able to expect them to be human, not idoits.

wrong decisions, for or against, is bad. and so many wrong decisions (u have to be moron to make some of the mistakes they made) in a test is not acceptable.

ICC should start a trend of fining umpires match fee, just like players.

[Blah]

Actually that guy from england should be put on provation. Mistakes were made too much too often, on both sides; which has easily changed the outcome of the game.

blah:flag: