You're all talking about the future - the potential, the talent he has.
Wheras, when I first looked at this thread, I thought that you'd say (all of you) something about the present, like the 2nd test match against New Zealand.
With the official report confirmed (as per Bangladesher Khela so far) that Habibul Bashar won't be able to play as its not safe for him to play in the 2nd test, I'm very much dependent upon Ashraful to play a few big innings in the 2nd test and also during the ODI series - longer than the 67 runs that he scored in the 1st innings in the 1st test.
You see, with Habibul Bashar gone, and the only other player of their calibre - Nafees Iqbal so inexperienced in terms of International experience, the only other batsman that I look towards to, is Mohammad Ashraful.
I am looking at the present situation and hoping for a few big knocks from him because Sanwar Hossain, who has a top score of only about 40 odd runs (if I'm right) in Test cricket, it is against the New Zealanders. Also, Khaled Mahmud, who also has his top score in Test cricket against the New Zealanders (its a coincendence that both of their top score is 45 or 44), it is quite evident that we should play against them better than we have shown today.
And without Habibul Bashar, who else can lead the Bangladesh batting? Yes, Khaled Mashud can be the captain, or Rajin Saleh can be vice captain and play a supporting role with the bat, but it is Ashraful, who has to lead from the front.
Without Habibul Bashar, there's so much responsibility that lie on the shoulders of young Ashraful! I wish he did not have this much responsibility on his shoulders at this young age, but WE SIMPLY HAVE NO OTHER CHOICE.
I was kinda hoping that without Bashar, Javed Omar would be the one to take the leading role in batting, since he is the most experienced specialist batsman in our line-up, but the way that he had played in the 1st test, I can't be so hopeful about him anymore.
I was also kinda hoping that Mashud would at least try to be the leading batsman in the absence of Habibul Bashar, and with his newly-gained captaincy, but in the 2nd innings, he has failed to show the guts that was required from him.
And there is no one else established enough to play the key role in the batting department.
So, its Ashraful who has to again take the responsibility of the whole batting of Bangladesh once more, just like in the 1st test.
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