Brave Hearts( BD Tigers) VS Goliath( South Africa ) - An Analysis

[ehteshamul]

BRAVE HEARTS( BD TIGERS) VS GOLIATH( SOUTH AFRICA) - T20 AND ONE DAY SERIES ANALYSIS

In about 3 days our Brave Hearts take on the Mighty Goliath South Africa on their own den for One T20, Three One dayers, Two Tests.

This analysis is focused ion T20 AND Three ONE DAYERS ONLY

Tour schedule for T20 and One dayers

05 Nov. 2008 T20 (Day Night)
Venue: Liberty Life Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg

07 Nov. 2008 1st ODI (Day Night)
Venue : Senwes Park, Potchefstroom

09 Nov. 2008 2nd ODI (Day)
Venue: Willowmoore Park, Benoni

12 Nov. 2008 3rd ODI (Day Night)
Venue : Buffalo Park, East London

Bangladesh (This team is chosen for 20 20 and One day series)

1. Mohammad Ashraful (Captain)
2. Mashrafe Bin Mortaza (Vice Captain)
3. Tamim Iqbal
4. Zunaed Siddique
5. Shakib Al Hasan
6. Mehrab Hossain Jr.
7. Mushfiqur Rahim (Wicketkeeper)
8. Naeem Islam
9. Abdur Razzak
10. Shahadat Hossain
11. Syed Rasel
12. Nazmul Hossain
13. Mahbubul Alam
14. Roqibul Hassan
15. Imrul Kayes

South Africa - One day Team
1. Greame Smith
2. Johan Botha
3. Hashim Amla
4. Mark boucher
5. AB de Villiers
6. Jean-Paul Villiers
7. Johann Louw
8. Albie Morkel
9. Morne Morkel
10. Justin Ontong
11. Dale Steyn
12. Monde Zondeski
13. Ryan MClaren

How are we prepared to take the big boys – Goliath.?

Batting

Our top order (first 4) has been in shambles in the just concluded series against New Zealand.

It is Do or Die for Ash and Zunaid .

I wonder how long more we absorb such pathetic batting displays from them.

Thanks God .We are indeed blessed with 3 in 1 Saqib.

Batting, Bowling or Fielding he has time and again proved to be our savior.

Good news is Mr Rock - Raqibul is back .

Our Middle order of Mehrab and Rahim has shown good temperament in putting up valiant fight against the .New Zealanders.

Mashrafe as a Tailender has been our Brave Heart and twice saved the team from utter disaster with 2 timely gallant knocks.

So overall except the top order the batting looks okay if not something substantial.

Bowling

Mashrafe did pretty well.

He is off course short of a good partner.

Shahadat was completly out of form.

Robin is raw . But could be very handy with his kind of bowling in south African conditions

The most heartening news is we have a new Bowling Coach Ramanayake.

If he can fine tune Robin and Shahadat and pass on some match winning tips of fast bowling who knows BD might come up with few surprises.

Captaincy.

A major blunder of our Selectors for not handing over the captaincy to Mashrafe who shone outstanding performance with both batting and bowling.

With such a consistently poor batting form it is impossible for Ash to get the best from his mates.

When the Captain does bad it shatters the morale of rest of the team.

A feeling of negativity is rubbed on team members that if the Captain poorly score and still retain his place in the team why should they bother to strive for better score.

Plus you cannot command respect from your teammates when you are failing and failing continuously .

They should have handed over the captaincy to Mashrafe and allow Ash to bat without worries at lower down the order to regain his form or even give a break to find what has been ailing him and allow him to do some soul searching and rectify himself.

That is not to be. I find this outrageous and unfair to Mashrafe.

Coaching

Champaka Ramanayake will add new dimension to team management in providing Bowling inputs which was non existent before. Siddo together with Ash and Ramanayake will now be able to discuss things that are challenging or when chips are down.

One wished if Bulbul cold have gone as a Manager. He could pass on valuable tips to batsmen as and when required.

With a better Think Tank available I think the performance would be much better than the last time when we were thrashed 3 nil.

Opposition

South African Bowling looks threatening with Dale Steyn Morkel and Monde Zondeski.

Dale Steyn is a killer bowler. Our Batsman better learn newer techniques to confront and overcome him.

However the Batting does not look that formidable with only 4 reputed names - Greame Smith, Hasem Amla, Mark Boucher and A de Villiers. So if our Bowlers can get them early the rest should not be problem.

My Prediction:

T20 – Close match.

One Day : May cause an upset maybe 1 win and two loss.

Test Match : One loss and One draw.

May Allah Help BD Tigers to bring Success and Honor for the country