Ashraful Enigma

[al Furqaan]

That he has inherent, innate talent and ability was never in question. However, at the moment, I doubt if even 10% of fans think he will ever amount to more than a 20 average player. For the first time I am having doubts.

But where does his problem lie? Just as obvious as his skill level is the fact that he has next to zero control over his shot selection. I would guestimate that fully 90% of his dismissals in either form of the game result in ashraful throwing his wicket away.

However, given that roughly 50% of all cricket dismissals are accounted by batsmen being caught out, one could say the same thing about most international batsmen.

According to the following site (which does have some data missing but serves the purpose of illustrating my thesis): http://www.testmatchstats.com/player...57&Opponent=0&
Tour=0&MonthStart=Jan&YearStart=1876&MonthFinish=Mar&YearFinish=2008&ql=0&
MatchType=T&Innings=0&Venue=0&MatchResult=All&ShowBatting=1&x=67&y=6&From
Form=1

71% of Ash's Test dismissals are caught out. Compare to the following legendary players:

Tendulkar - 53%
Gavaskar - 66%
Dravid - 54%
Lara - 62%
Sangakkara - 62%
Ponting - 50%
Inzamam - 55%

Most, if not all "caught out" dismissals can be avoided. It is evident that even amongst the patient great batsmen, they "throw their wicket away" at least 50% of the time.

But the crucial difference is when? Most of the above plauyers, actually all of them, have 50+ Test batting averages. Which is currently more than twice Ashraful's average. Which means that they score roughly twice the runs he does before playing "a rash stroke."

Given that ashraful's strike rates in both versions of the game are fairly decent, all Ash has to do is basically double the amount of time he currently stays at the crease. But can he do that is the big question.

Most members will say that he cannot ever learn, since he hasn't learned already. Is it frustration, anger, reality check, or a combination of the three?

Let us see how Ash has managed his stays at the crease over the course of his career, in 10 innings increments. Unlike most players, Ashraful actually has [marginally] better stats against big teams than against minnows, so including minnows actually hurts his stats. So let us see the average number of balls Ashraful faces per innings, in 10 innings increments to see if there is any reason to have hope of further development.

Ash Test batting:

1st 10 innings: 58.4 balls per innings (bpi)
2nd 10: 45.8 bpi
3rd: 47.2
4th: 79.6
5th: 45.6
6th: 42.8
7th: 25
8th: 52.9

ODI batting:

1st: 23.6
2nd: 25.6
3rd: 13.7
4th: 30.5
5th: 34.8
6th: 21.2
7th: 34.4
8th: 25.2
9th: 29.9
10th: 28.6

Conclusion:

While his Test numbers seem to be all over the place, his ODI innings seem to have gotten longer. This explains why his ODI average has climbed slowly but steadily over the past 3 years, while his Test average has remained unchanged.

There is still room for guarded hope. The reason is because, Ashraful is still young. I know that the instant rebuttal of that is "but he's played over 100 innings..." but the fact that he has played over 100 innings doesn't increase his biological age even one iota. His mental, physical, and emotional development remain where they are regardless of whether he debuted at age 16 or 22.

Here in the United States, auto insurance rates are quite high for young drivers, especially young boys. This is based purely on risk analysis which states that young male drivers are far more likely than any other demographic to drive recklessly. The rates for male drivers suddenly drop after age 25 and also after factors such as marital status. Reasons being that men generally attain adult levels of maturity at around 25 (and/or after marrying).

This explains why most international batsmen, reach their peaks in their mid 20s (unlike Sohel bhai you puts the age at late 20s to early 30s, I feel most batsmen reach their peak around 25-27).

Ashraful's brother mentioned that he was born in July 1983. This would make him almost 25 years old. I would give Ashraful another 2 years to see if he has matured fully or not. If by this time, he hasn't, we should look to the following options.

1) Retain him in the side, but perhaps relieved of captaincy. Keep him around for Eid days and abandon any hope on him asides from the jodi laigga jai.

2) Drop him from the side not for a match or three, or even for a few tours. Leave him out of the side for an entire year. Should he score 500 runs in an innings in the NCL, ignore it and keep him out. This will show him exactly what he can do, and teach him how important the national team is to him, and how important he is to it.

3) If all else fails, we should begin looking right now for his successor. Raqibul seems a good prospect, and we should continue to look for a guy who can bring the same sort of firepower in the middle order. May Allah prevent this last step of being necessary, but we must prepare for the worst.

[BD-Shardul]

No he will reach peak form around the age of 27-28, but we fans are just impatient.

[BD-Shardul]

Look, we have failed to handle ash properly. We have always thought that he is an integral part of BD team and that was the great mistake. I remember that after his poor performance in PAK in 2003, he was dropped for ENG home series. In 2004, his test avg was 40+. He had iinings of 98, 80+, 50+, 50+, 158*. So matter how talented, or great player you are, you should compete for your place in the national team. No competetion or automatic choice just makes you relaxed.

Look at Saleh, jar khela dekhlei money hoy, dhurr eida kono batsman hoilo? He is not blessed with Ash like talents. He has defficiencies. But he still performs. Why? Rajin once said, "Bangladesh Doley jaiga eto sosta na". But if you have a talent like Ash, then its different story.

[al Furqaan]

Originally Posted by BD-Shardul
Look, we have failed to handle ash properly. We have always thought that he is an integral part of BD team and that was the great mistake. I remember that after his poor performance in PAK in 2003, he was dropped for ENG home series. In 2004, his test avg was 40+. He had iinings of 98, 80+, 50+, 50+, 158*. So matter how talented, or great player you are, you should compete for your place in the national team. No competetion or automatic choice just makes you relaxed.

Look at Saleh, jar khela dekhlei money hoy, dhurr eida kono batsman hoilo? He is not blessed with Ash like talents. He has defficiencies. But he still performs. Why? Rajin once said, "Bangladesh Doley jaiga eto sosta na". But if you have a talent like Ash, then its different story.

yea thats true, but he's basically been given a free pass when he was made captain. and i supported that move.

now i am beggining to have doubts.

[BANFAN]

Another 2-3 years should be good fo him to come up as a matured and complete cricketer.

[BD-Shardul]

Originally Posted by BANFAN
Another 2-3 years should be good fo him to come up as a matured and complete cricketer.

Please maf koira den den bhai. He might be good, but don't tell it.

[ausbangfan]

maybe he might have to bat at 6 or 7 in ODI's and play his normal game (attack) instead of batting at 3 or 4 and try to grind out an innings.

[ausbangfan]

according to that website he has had scored from 0-9 in ODI's on 40 occasions when he's played 97 innings. That's nearly 1 in 2 innings

In ODI and tests ash's best average is @ 6 or 7

[Sohel]

Excellent work Asaad ...

Here's a comparison between "our best young guy" and the "best young guy in the business". No minnow sides were included (except us ... )

First, let's look at 'their' guy.

Michael Clarke

API, first 10 ODIs: 39.0
AC, first 10 ODIs: 39.25
HS: 75, four 50s (75, 70, 63, 55)
LS: 1, three more single digit finishes (1, 2, 2)

API, next 10 ODIs: 18.5
AC, next 10 ODIs: 17.9
HS: 42, NO 50s
LS: 3 times, 1 more single digit finish (0,0,0,2)

API, next 10 ODIs: 30.7
AC, next 10 ODIs: 30.0
HS: 66, one 50
LS: 1 with 1 more single digit finish (1,6)

API, next 10 ODIs: 43.9
AC, next 10 ODIs: 42.0
HS: 103, one 100 and three 50s (100, 97, 75, 71)
LS: with 2 more single digit finishes (0, 2, 9)

API, next 10 ODIs: 26.2
AC, next 10 ODIs: 22.5
HS: 80, two 50s (80, 54)
LS: 2 twice, with 2 more single digit finishes (2, 2, 3, 6)

API, next 10 ODIs: 37.0
AC, next 10 ODIs: 35.6
HS: 82, two 50s (82, 67)
LS: 3 with 2 more single digit finishes (3, 8, 9)

API, next 10 ODIs: 31.8
AC, next 10 ODIs: 29.5
HS: 80, four 50s (80, 54, 54, 53)
LS: 1 twice, with 1 more single digit finish (1, 1, 7)

API, next 10 ODIs: 29.5
AC, next 10 ODIs: 28.75
HS: 64, two 50s (64, 57)
LS: 1 with 1 more single digit finish (1, 2)

API, next 10 ODIs: 35.3
AC, next 10 ODIs: 32.6
HS: 92, three 50s (92, 75, 55)
LS: with 2 more single digit finishes (0, 9, 7)

API, next 10 ODIs: 38.7
AC, next 10 ODIs: 32.1
HS: 130, one 100 and two 50s (130, 60, 59)
LS: twice, with 2 more single digit finishes (0, 0, 6, 8)

API, last 11 ODIs: 29.2
AC, last 11 ODIs: 24.2
HS: 79, three 50s (79, 77, 50)
LS: with 3 more single digit finishes (0, 2, 4, 7)

---------

API - (Average Per Innings = runs/matches)
AC - (Average in terms of Consistency = [runs - (HS + LS)]/(matches - 2)
HS - Highest Score
LS - Lowest Score

[Shehwar]

Originally Posted by BD-Shardul
...Look at Saleh, jar khela dekhlei money hoy, dhurr eida kono batsman hoilo? He is not blessed with Ash like talents. He has defficiencies. But he still performs. Why? Rajin once said, "Bangladesh Doley jaiga eto sosta na". But if you have a talent like Ash, then its different story.

Sorry bro...this is way off topic...but whats wrong with Saleh's style of play?? He is one of the most technically sound batsmen we have got!!...Its still a mystery to me exactly why he is left out!!..One bad test against Lanka and he got the chopping...Unbelievable!

[Sohel]

Now let's take a look at our beloved Mohammad Ashraful Matin. No minnows !

Mohammad Ashraful Matin

API, first 10 ODIs: 17.0
AC, first 10 ODIs: 15.6
HS: 44, NO 50s
LS: 1 with 3 more single digit finishes (1, 4, 7, 9)

API, next 12 ODIs: 12.9
AC, next 12 ODIs: 9.9
HS: 56, two 50s (56, 52)
LS: twice with 7 more single digit finishes (0, 0, 1, 8, 6, 5, 4)

API, next 10 ODIs: 21.5
AC, next 10 ODIs: 18.6
HS: 66, two 50s (66, 51)
LS: 3 times with 1 more single digit finish (0, 0, 0, 3)

API, next 10 ODIs: 10.8
AC, next 10 ODIs: 9.5
HS: 32, NO 50s
LS: twice with 3 more single digit finishes (0, 0, 2, 2, 4)

API, next 10 ODIs: 29.8
AC, next 10 ODIs: 24.75
HS: 100, one 100, two 50s (100, 94, 58)
LS: 3 times with 3 more single digit finishes (0, 0, 0, 4, 4, 7)

API, next 10 ODIs: 21.5
AC, next 10 ODIs: 18.6
HS: 64, two 50s (64, 51)
LS: 2 with 4 more single digit finishes (2, 3, 6, 8, 5)

API, last 13 ODIs: 22.3
AC, last 13 ODIs: 18.5
HS: 87, two 50s (87, 70)
LS: with 5 more single digit finishes (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 8)

---------

API - (Average Per Innings = runs/matches)
AC - (Average in terms of Consistency = [runs - (HS + LS)]/(matches - 2)
HS - Highest Score
LS - Lowest Score

This is one of his better periods believe it or not. That said, tighten your belts folks, we'll see him at his best from his early 30s Inshallah. Whereas PUP will get there in 2 years max.

[BANFAN]

Originally Posted by Shehwar
Sorry bro...this is way off topic...but whats wrong with Saleh's style of play?? He is one of the most technically sound batsmen we have got!!...Its still a mystery to me exactly why he is left out!!..One bad test against Lanka and he got the chopping...Unbelievable!

He played a good innings in pak. After that he has hardly played any good innings. He can't play according to the situation of the match. he lacks variety in shots. I am not so sure about his technically soundness, just because he plays the defensive shot to much, i don't like to say that. He also gets out playing deffensive shots mostly.

Having said that, I won't mind seeing him in the test, as we needed someone to hold an end, just to see if he could do that. As all of our batsman have failed to stay in the crease.

[al-Sagar]

he wont reach his peak even if 37-38

[nasimul]

Originally Posted by offstump
he wont reach his peak even if 37-38

spot on....a good player learns from mistakes and its not enough to have some talent. Ashraful may have got some talent but he has to utilize it.

[nasimul]

Originally Posted by BANFAN
He can't play according to the situation of the match

I would like to know who can play according to the match situation....if you could give me an example

[BD-Shardul]

Originally Posted by Shehwar
Sorry bro...this is way off topic...but whats wrong with Saleh's style of play?? He is one of the most technically sound batsmen we have got!!...Its still a mystery to me exactly why he is left out!!..One bad test against Lanka and he got the chopping...Unbelievable!

I am not sure whether he is technically correct batsman or not, because frankly speaking I do not have much cricket knowledge. He can remain in the crease for a long time, and that is invaluable. However, amra fan ra to abar Ashrafool type er sexy shot beshi posondo kori , jegulo Rajin Saleh er nai. From that viewpoint I said, dhurr eida kono batsman hoilo Nothing else.

[mildwind]

Originally Posted by BANFAN
Another 2-3 years should be good fo him to come up as a matured and complete cricketer.

The place in international level should not be very fixed like you mentioned. If a captain can not perform well, he should face the same fate as others. That will give other players as well as the captain an impression of how precious the place is. Therefore it will be very competitive to retain the place.

Not only that, if a player is dropped, he must perform well in the domestic cricket. As a result, it will bring competitiveness in domestic cricket as well.

But quite strangely, whenever players like ash are dropped, even they dont perform consistently in domestic cricket, one healthy score makes them come back to the international level.

At the end, no matter how talented a player is, he has to perform consistently. Mind you, we dont have any consistent performer in the team. I really pity the selectors and the coach. May be it is a bit off topic. But I cant resist telling that we have to improve the quality of our domestic cricket.

[Kuddus]

Everytime Ashraful goes past 50 in an ODI, BD seems to have a good chance in the game.....doesn't happen with any other BD batsman when they score 50s

I don't know if that point makes any sense....just something from the top off my head

[Sohel]

Originally Posted by Kuddus
Everytime Ashraful goes past 50 in an ODI, BD seems to have a good chance in the game.....doesn't happen with any other BD batsman when they score 50s

I don't know if that point makes any sense....just something from the top off my head

That's what makes him "talismanic" bro, and his failures so unbearably exasperating as the direct consequence. Basically at this stage in our cricket: NO ASH = NO HOPE ...

[Kuddus]

Originally Posted by Sohel NR
That's what makes him "talismanic" bro, and his failures so unbearably exasperating as the direct consequence. Basically at this stage in our cricket: NO ASH = NO HOPE ...

Thanks for putting my thoughts in a coherent sentence

[Fahim]

Originally Posted by Kuddus
Everytime Ashraful goes past 50 in an ODI, BD seems to have a good chance in the game.....doesn't happen with any other BD batsman when they score 50s

I don't know if that point makes any sense....just something from the top off my head

yes this may be true (against australia, SA, a few good knocks against india and against WI) but there is ONE match where he got a 50 but the team lost terribly...against New Zealand in the 1st ODI.

[zainab]

Ash is Ash who IMO is still a very charismatic player, He is still golden, but the glitter is not there at the moment, who knows? one day soon we shall see this little golden lad again.

[Fazal]

Originally Posted by zainab
Ash is Ash who IMO is still a very charismatic player, He is still golden, but the glitter is not there at the moment, who knows?

The glitters are back ... so is the value... see below

"Gold futures hit $1,000 an ounce for the first time Thursday, pushed past the benchmark by the sinking dollar and record crude oil prices." - source

Is the Dollar (that bowler) who is sinking.