Report Card for the BD-SL Test Series

[Roey Haque]

Report Card for the BD-SL Test Series

Only players who have played both the test matches are considered.This rules out Tamim Iqbal, Anamul Haque, Elias Sunny, Shahdat Hossain, Rubel Hossain and Robiul Islam.

Jahurul Islam

Credit must be given where its due. Despite having pockets of extreme nervousness, Jahurul at least stuck it through with what God gave him for skills as a batsman. His jittery temperament was the reason for him losing his wicket in all 4 cases, but it seemed as if though he was battling himself, trying hard to prove the detractors wrong. Such effort should be considered. Who is to say that he didn’t prevent a collapse with all 4 of his slow deliberate innings?


Grade: B+





Mohammad Ashraful

We all know what it is with Ash. So to judge this man, we can only use scores and think nothing else of the matter. Any more effort spent on analyzing him is a waste of anyone’s time. So going by that logic, his 1^st match was a success, his 2^nd match a failure. As simple as that. I will be merciful and not take his inconsistent reputation into consideration. So his grade has to go down right in the middle. An average of the 5 letter grades. Beautiful catch by the way to dismiss Eranga.


Grade: C+




Mominul Haque

The revelation of the series, if you can call it that in the context of the Bd team. Was pretty consistent with his performance all throughout the series although it’s clear that he too, like many other batsmen in the team suffers from a bad case of nerves, hence unable to convert any of his leads to really big scores. As a matter of fact, he just crossed 50 once.


Grade: B+





Nasir Hossain

Don’t let the duck in his last innings fool you. His previous two innings were spectacular, even his 48. A natural run getter for the team and perhaps if he had got to play in the 2^nd innings of the 1^st match, we could have had one more score to judge him by. But really, he hasn’t done too much wrong except that duck. And with that he has shot himself in the foot, bringing down his grade by one letter.


Grade: B+




Mushfiqur Rahim

His keeping was generally good throughout the series. Still could have been more aggressive with his bowling strategy or fielding placements. Except for one innings, he was generally excellent with the bat. Very similar case to Nas’. And again, perhaps he should have turned his 40 to a bigger score in the 2^nd match, but such can be the fluctuation of scores in a well-rounded batsmen. Reasonably acceptable.


Grade: B+





Mahmadullah Riyad

The worst performer of this series. Was routinely outshone by the tail which should leave him red-faced if he has the integrity of a vice-captain, which I’m sure he does. Also was nothing special with the ball. Bd went with 4 specialist bowlers in the test. He could have bowled with more intent, easing the pressure of the other 4 or simply giving them more breathing room. The wickets he did get were not meaningful in the outcome of the 1^st test.


Grade: D-




Abul Hassan

Was more than decent with the ball, for the first time in his career I might add. It is clear he can really focus on his line and length when he wants to. The question is, why doesn’t he do it in every spell? Still should have picked up more wickets but impressed with the bat given his position. At this point of time, his batting skills are no less than other Bd pacers like Mashrafe and Shafiul. But it’s wickets, not runs, that he needs.


Grade: C+





Shohag Gazi

Still continues his impressive stint in the team and has surely solidified his place for a long time to come. Despite criticism of bowling a bit flat at times in this series, he still managed to be the premier threat to the Sri Lankan batsmen. His 7 wickets had nothing to do with luck, all were spectacular deliveries. And if he can do that while being flat, well that says a lot about this man’s prowess with the ball. Also, he’s building up his reputation an aggressive stroke maker, these 25+ cameos he his churning out consistently cannot be ignored. Especially from your lead bowling option.


Grade: A-