Challenge Trophy Final

Sham · #1 November 15, 2002, 04:00 PM

Aminul Islam is unbeaten on 94 as BD A ended the first day on 280 for 6. Other notable scorers include Mazharul Huq (56), Ehsanul Huq (38) and Akram Khan (31). Ashraful started well, hitting 3 sixes in Talha Jubair second over but Talha got him out in his next over for 23. Nannu only scored 16.

The best bowler for the national team: surprise surprise it was Talha with 3 for 59!

Bulbul definitely seems to be the front-runner now for a batting place in the Test side.

[Edited on 15-11-2002 by Sham]

**Tehsin** · #2 November 15, 2002, 04:16 PM

There was no doubt about Talha but I had Bulbul off my list because of form. To me, he is our classiest batsman but age or pressure has kept him below par. After today's knock, he is back in my team.
Talha is an automatic inclusion because of his recent form and because of the injuries to other folks .
Seezan also did pretty good. Mridul makes the 14/15 member team. Ash had it and then he lost it. Three sixes in only the 2nd over of the match ? Hmmmm. I see lot of hope for him in number 7/8 if he can take some wickets. It'll be a while before we can seriously think of him as a batsman.
Nannu virtually took himself out of the competition. The old man is not getting any runs. Akram still has a shot at making the 15 but not too sure about the final team. We need to see all the averages. Cricinfo is not even putting up the scores for this ones. *sigh*

Sham · #3 November 15, 2002, 08:21 PM

I wouldn't take more than one of the veterans in the Test side. Since Bulbul has out performed both Akram and Nannu, with his match winning 60 odd in the first match and a possible century tomorrow, Akram and Nannu have virtually no chance of making the squad, much less the team. I was happy to see Mazharul score some runs, and Seezan made 38 which is not bad.

The problem again in Ash. Everyone on this board probably thinks I hate the guy but I really don't. I just wish he would stop going beserk and play a substantial innings. In Test cricket, the little cameos don't mean much, so his 23, including 3 sixes in one over, was a waste of time. If thats the way he is planning to play in the Test Matches, then I don't know what to say.

Pundit · #4 November 16, 2002, 01:15 AM

Yes, Bulbul is more than enough. Actually, I am breathing a sigh of relief - rather Bulbul than the other 2.

I guess with Ash, we'll just have to wait for him to mature as a person, kinda like Hasan Raza...maybe ?

But one thing for sure though, I don't think Bulbul would have coped even the slightest bit against the Ntini's on SA soil. This needs seriously to be borne in mind before choosing him in the future.

Sham · #5 November 16, 2002, 03:54 PM

The national team is in trouble against the A side at 160 for 4 at the close of play on day 2, still trailing by 206.

Bulbul went on to score 135 and the A team scored 366. Wicketkeeper Anwar was left stranded on 49. Baisya finished with 4 for 85.

Both national openers got starts, Hannan scored 25 and Rokon 43, but were unable to carry on. Bashar failed again, falling to Ashraful on 16, and Sanwar was out for 35 before Tushar and Kapali played out the last few overs. Durjoy took 2 for 58.

rafiq · #6 November 16, 2002, 05:20 PM

weren't we going to get some field reports from people who are watching the game? what's wrong with bashar?

samircreep · #7 November 16, 2002, 10:52 PM

Ya sorry, I was supposed to type in a reports but I just got online for the first time in a while.

Anyways folks, I must say that the Abahani pitch looks the most comfortable baating strip I've seen in this country for a while.Get this, the three sixes that Ash pulled off Talha, not a single one was off the back foot.Ya, it was that dead.Ash threw his chances of a test or even one day berth away by trying to flick off his pads, only to get a leading edge.The highlights of the game were obviously Mridul and Bulbul's knocks.With this, Bulbul is back in the test side. Actually I would even put him in the one day side, much to the chagrin of quite a few people in this board.But class is class.

Mridul played really well.His shot selection was impeccable and I personally thought he was unlucky to be given out, the ball not even pitchin on line.But have you guys seen our little stumper Aminul before?This guy is deginitely Kid Dynamite.Good temperment and a solid defence.Even before he took to the field, i saw him with a couple of kids with a tape ball practising in the nets.

I was also impressed with Taposh.Sorting a bandage on his temple, his first few overs were wayward to say the least.But he came back with some really steady bowling.I guess he'll play in the one dayers and the test now.I don't know about this one though.

Anyways, does anyone else have any questions?I wasn't able to see all the sessions but I'll fill you up as to what I did see.

**Tehsin** · #8 November 17, 2002, 12:43 AM

Anwar has been a busy little guy for the last few years staying under the shadow of Pilot. Any chance he will be able to replace our captain in the near future ? he has been useful with the bat but no idea how he keeps ?

Here's an idea for the kids in BD, try picking up WicketKeeping if you are decent enough on batting. We could use some later in the future. For now, I expect Pilot bhai to lead us. He has been an inspiration even when the others have flunked. Anyone from Rajshahi ? I want to tahnk you all for giving us Pilot.

samircreep · #9 November 17, 2002, 02:48 AM

The best thing about Pilot is that he started playing as a mediocre cricketer but has grown in leaps and bounds.He's definitely on the same mould as Moin Khan.Let's hope that he adds a bit more glory to his already burgeoning guts.

Sham · #10 November 17, 2002, 10:39 AM

The best thing about Pilot is that he leads from the front and that is particularly important for a team like ours.

As for the ongoing match, thanks for the report Samir. Ash hooking Talha for three sixes off the front foot begs the question, what was Talha doing bowling short on the Abahani wicket anyway? I guess he came back and got his revenge.

Bulbul should atleast make the Test team now, if not the one day team as well. The problem with the Test team is, where do we play Kapali? If we play Kapali at 7, then we can fit in Bulbul, Golla and Sanwar, considering that Rokon will open with Hannan and Bashar is a certainty. If we play Kapali at 6 however, to accomodate four specialist bowlers, than only two from Bulbul, Sanwar and Golla will get to play. I have assumed so far that we are definitely dropping Tushar and Rafiqul from the last Test team. If Tushar (not out yesterday), scores runs today and stakes a claim for a batting spot, things will get even more complicated. Not to mention Mridul and Seezan will also be on the selectors minds. We are spoilt for choice, how cool is that?

Samir, since you have seen almost all these guys bat over the last few days, which six would you choose to take on WI in the Tests? And the ODIs for that matter.

Sham · #11 November 17, 2002, 11:00 AM

Hey Samir, I was re-reading the posts on the First XI for the first Test thread. On the 6th when you started that thread, you had Rokon, Hannan, Sumon, Sanwar, Ashraful and Kapali as your top six. By the 10th, you replaced Ashraful with Golla. I am guessing that you want to play Kapali at six, which means you'll have to drop either Golla or Sanwar for Bulbul. It will be interesting to know who it is that you drop.

Tehsin bhai, you haven't given us your team in a while. Lets hear it.

[Edited on 17-11-2002 by Sham]

**Tehsin** · #12 November 17, 2002, 10:25 PM

Waiting on the second innings. I was so looking out for Ash but the little man was unlucky tonight and uncontrolled in the previous matches. So, there goes my little dreams for him. Unless he does well in the League right before the cup, he can kiss his World CUp (2003) dreams good bye.

Let's see if Akram and Nannu can push the age barrier. I don't see how Nannu can make the team and as for Akram, he will need to fight it out with Mazhar and a couple other players and if you ask me, i'd go with a younger player if there isn't much of a difference either way.

So far, I have Bulbul back in the team, that is it.

samircreep · #13 November 17, 2002, 11:39 PM

My test team:Sarkar,Rokon,Sumon,Bulbul,Sanwar,Kapali,Pilot ,Rafique,Taposh,Manju,Talha.
12th man:Golla

One day team is the same except Tushar and Sujon coming in for Bulbul and Taposh.

safat · #14 November 18, 2002, 01:54 AM

could not agree more with samircreep.

Sham · #15 November 18, 2002, 08:42 AM

Yup, both sound good to me. Tehsin bhai, time to give up on Akram. Who could he possibly replace in Samir's team? As for Nannu, he should retire.

Orpheus · #16 November 18, 2002, 02:26 PM

For test: I say replace Rafique with Tushar.

All the guys that flourished on this champion trophy are gonna go down against WI and vice versa. ex: Bulbul and Habibul.

Meanwhile, check this out:

Quote:

A well-disguised bouncer from right-arm paceman Taposh Baishya dismissed Ashraful for two in the second over. But the young right-hander was definitely unlucky to be adjudged caught behind by umpire Akhtaruddin Shaheen as the mark of the shiny ball on his shoulder later suggested that the deflection had certainly not come off his gloves.

What a close CALL!! WOW!!

Ekta Black and White tv dileo parto.

**Tehsin** · #17 November 18, 2002, 06:47 PM

Ash is what ? 4'3 ? (kidding), I don't think Taposh's ball would qualify for a bouncer. Even if it reaches Ash's shoulder, it's pretty much reaching Tapash's hip (I feel horrible, khek).

Sham, look at motu uncle's consistency in recent matches. I'd drop him if the kids can promise to focus. If not, will just take him to make the kids work even harder.

Sham · #18 November 18, 2002, 10:10 PM

Motu uncle has always been consistent in domestic cricket. The thing is, he doesn't deserve a place ahead of Sumon, Sanwar or Kapali. The only place in Samir's team that he could take is Bulbul's. But I think at Test level, Bulbul is a better bet. The problem with Akram is, he can't go on to big scores. He does score a lot of half centuries, but his conversion rate is pretty bad. He probably just gets exhausted. Poor Akram mama.

samircreep · #19 November 18, 2002, 10:48 PM

It's time to give up on Akram and Nannu.So wipe the tears away and give them a rousing goodbye guys.

The only veteran worht mentioning is Bulbul.Class is class and this guy can still play 2 more years.

As for Rafique,this guy has been bowling really consistently.He's turning the ball more than I've ever seen him in past seasons and he's actually flighting it, as oppsed to firing them in like he did before.But another important aspect is that he's learnt the value of his wicket and putting a price on it.Surely this is good news for Bangladesh test cricket.

**Tehsin** · #20 November 19, 2002, 02:34 PM

Depending on the wicket, is Ash worth mentioning with his bowling ? I think Prothom-alo or Dailystar observed that Ash was turning it ral well.
My thought is, if we can take another batsmen out there why not ? Our bowlers are not going to make much difference anyways.

Sham · #21 November 19, 2002, 09:02 PM

You talking about the Test team or the ODI team? We can try to fit him into the ODI team but I think it will be a big mistake taking him in the Test side ahead of Rafiq. At the end of the day, whats the hurry with Ash? He still has 15-20 years of competetive cricket ahead. Let him get his confidence and form back and before long, he will be back in the middle order where he belongs. Trying to scrape out a place for him somehow in the team will not help him. It'll depreciate his confidence some more, playing him as a bowler.

fwullah · #22 November 20, 2002, 02:05 AM

One good thing of Ashraful for the one dayers is that as he will always try to score on every ball, he won't waste too many balls.

If our other batsman were good enough to show some hope of winning a one day match against other test nations, then including Ashraful would not have mattered much even at the expense of an injured Bashar or Rokon.

The trouble with us is that we are not gonna try to win, we are just gonna try to lower the losing margin after some possible top order winning hope.