External: Rahim might get Mashud’s gloves

Fazal · #1 July 19, 2006, 05:21 PM

"Bangladesh are sure to drop vice-captain Khaled Mashud for a few matches during the Zimbabwe and Kenya tour to give under-study Mushfiqur Rahim some valuable match practice, said chief selector Faruque Ahmed on Wednesday.
‘For us it is a luxury to play two wicketkeepers in the same match and that is unlikely to happen,’ he said dismissing the idea of picking both Mashud and Rahim in the same match like what happened in Test cricket earlier.
...
‘We are looking for somebody to take over from Pilot (Mashud). It makes sense in a number of ways. It makes sense to give him (Rahim) a game or two. We have to wait and see,’ coach Dav Whatmore echoed the same view indicating they are not going to depend on Mashud from now on. " - newAgeBD

I like it! At-last they are recognizing that we need to find a dependable backup wicket-keeper asap before the word cup in case something happens to Pilot at the last moment. Plus due to age related performance issues, Pilot may not be in the team beyond few more years. That’s why it’s so important to start grooming the backup wicket keeper by giving him some chance to play once in a while.
Now Rahim may or may not be the right person, we will see. But at-least I am happy that they are realizing that we need to address this backup wicketkeeper issue sooner than later.

Omio · #2 July 19, 2006, 05:26 PM

Yes, It wud b a g8 opportunity for him. And zim and ken is weak team, so there is a good possiblity for Rahim to do something.

**Mahmood** · #3 July 19, 2006, 06:23 PM

Its unfair to Pilot, as Rahim is more than likely to do well against weak teams like Kenya and Zimbabwe.

However, Pilot has been off form for a long time now, may be one two good innings here and there, about time we look for other options.

Rubu · #4 July 19, 2006, 06:37 PM

Why rush so much? I don't get it.

al Furqaan · #5 July 19, 2006, 07:11 PM

pilot is only 28-29...rahim could just be used as a sp batsman till pilot retires or is too poor to play.

afterall, rahim is prolly a better batsman right now, but can he match pilot's keeping abilities.

Mr-Cricket · #6 July 19, 2006, 07:22 PM

Is Mashud only '28-29?' I assumed he was 30+, in which case this may have been a good idea.

But considering Mushifiqur is only 19, and Mashud still has a few good years left in him, I'm not so sure.

BagherBacha · #7 July 19, 2006, 07:30 PM

[quote=al Furqaan]pilot is only 28-29...

pilot is 33 yrs old ..

cricket_pagol · #8 July 19, 2006, 10:31 PM

According to cricinfo profile of khaled Mashud:
Born February 8, 1976, Rajshahi
Current age 30 years 162 days

Since Pilot made his debut in the mid 90's, my guess is that he is somewhere around 32-33yrs.

kalpurush · #9 July 20, 2006, 01:02 AM

One or two matches might give Rahim a chance to shine thus Pilot a boost to be competitive and give a reminder that it is not easy to make position in the team like old days!

Aritro · #10 July 20, 2006, 02:31 AM

One thing you have to say about Pilot is that he's quite a competent wicket keeper.

Anyone able to shed any light on what Rahim's keeping is like?

billah · #11 July 20, 2006, 02:49 AM

We need a wicketkeeper, preferably one that can bat. Rahim is a good choice. Unfortunately, he is several years away from showing any real promise. I would not be surprised at all if we find him just discarded in those few years. His best shot at being the national wicketkeeper is to show promise in batting. If he bats well, only then we should polish his wicketkeeping skills. This is our reality with the batting woes. Let's see how he does. This will be interesting.

layperson · #12 July 20, 2006, 02:54 AM

I think it is commendable move. You have to play Rahim to give him some exposure since we are loooking at him as a futue prospect and what better chance than against zimbabwe and kenya. Playing Rahim once in a while is not a bad idea at all since it will only motivate pilot to keep performing otherwise he might get axed. Also out team is not winning matches all the time so its not like we are breaking a winning combination so we can afford to try out one or two new players every now and then until we get a winning combination or at least line up the best we have.

Rabz · #13 July 20, 2006, 04:04 AM

mate Pilot was 29 some 25 years ago..

that guy has been playin in the national team since the dawn of the civilization..
my assumption is that he is around 35..

on the subject note.. it would be good to give Rahim a chance or two, just IN-CASE something happens to Pilot during or before the world cup.

and mind u one thing, even though i like the kid Rahim, he is very very well connected. He hails from Bogra and that happens to be the same town of our respected honourable (

) prime minister. no matter how much u deny, politics plays a very important role in our team selection. and it could be Adam Gilchrist keeping for us, still then Rahim would get a chance or two. but the kid does hv potential and it wont kill to try him against Kenya or Zimbabwe.

Miraz · #14 July 20, 2006, 05:09 AM

That's a good positive move!!

We need someone who is a good wicketkeeper batsman, not simply a good wicketkeeper.

But again, its probably the wrong version of game. Rahim should be tested in test cricket, Pilot's ODI form is not that bad in recent years.

Sovik · #15 July 20, 2006, 06:19 AM

It seems ok. Mushfiq Rahim needs exposures. If bd wins first matches then bd could select him for next 1 or 2 matches

Ejaj · #16 July 20, 2006, 07:04 AM

His correct age is 33. I know that is for sure. He is the class mate of a friend of mine at Rajshahi.

sadi · #17 July 20, 2006, 07:43 AM

Good move... it can't hurt to give him a game or two... even if he doesn't play, still a good move... he can be with the team and learn so much from pilot...

TheWatcher · #18 July 20, 2006, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ejaj
His correct age is 33. I know that is for sure. He is the class mate of a friend of mine at Rajshahi.

33 years sounds about right. Still, considering Pilot's fitness, I think he has three more good years left in him.

Tigers_eye · #19 July 20, 2006, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mahmood
Its unfair to Pilot, as Rahim is more than likely to do well against weak teams like Kenya and Zimbabwe.

However, Pilot has been off form for a long time now, may be one two good innings here and there, about time we look for other options.

No it is not unfiar to pilot. Both will face the same opponents and Pilot will get more opportunity. This move is great move. This move would not replace pilot but will identify a backup wicket keeper.

Sauron · #20 July 20, 2006, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mahmood
Its unfair to Pilot, as Rahim is more than likely to do well against weak teams like Kenya and Zimbabwe.

I don't think it is a matter of fairness.

Mushfique-Pilot is not a competition. It is a relay race batton hand-off.

Instead of using Mushfique straight away against big opponents, this slow introduction will ease the eventual hand-off. Also, Pilot is still needed in the bigger games. So what other series will be better than this one to try the substitution.

SS · #21 July 20, 2006, 11:12 AM

I thought Dhiman Ghosh was another opponent for Pilot's gloves. What happened to him?

al Furqaan · #22 July 20, 2006, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Mushfique-Pilot is not a competition. It is a relay race batton hand-off.

this is the greatest analogy i have seen on this board in my 2.5 years here.

it is not unfair...pilot is a great keeper...i highly doubt rahim can be that good now or ever. but what we need is a good keeper-bat. pilot is at best decent in that regard. rahim has all the batting ability to be a genuine top order batsman like Sangakkara/gilchrist et al.

even if he is our version of a lower middle order slog artist like Dhoni it wouldn't be too bad.

bottom line is that this is a GREAT move by the BCB and selectors.

Fazal · #23 July 20, 2006, 04:10 PM

pilot is 28?

Bhaizan Pilot kon Rationer Chal Khai? Ami kichu Pete Pari?

Omio · #24 July 20, 2006, 07:03 PM

ohh, pilot is 28?
ami aro vabsilam 18..lol

cricketboy · #25 July 20, 2006, 08:21 PM

Pilot is 35 according to this website and I think this is correct. Pilot is playing for 15-16 years, so he should be atleast over 33-34.
http://www.bangla2000.com/Cricket/Cr...led_Masud.html
But stiill, Mushfique needs 1-2 years of domestic/BD A cricket to get ready and mature. The selectors may be right to include him as it will give him vital experience in playing in overseas conditions.