Infants no more…B’desh need to pull up their socks

[amar11432]

Infants no more…B’desh need to pull up their socks

Bangladesh really need to get a move on. How long can they expect to be treated like infants in Test cricket?

Not to say that they have set all the other versions ablaze, but at least there have been sporadic noteworthy performances in the one-dayers. But when it comes to the five day format, well…the lesser said the better.

In fact, the outrage generated by Virender Sehwag’s comments about Bangladesh being an ‘ordinary Test side’ was baffling, to say the least.

What did they expect to hear? That Gautam Gambhir, after hundreds against the likes of Brett Lees and Mitchell Johnsons, at Napier as well as in Nagpur, is losing his sleep over the prospect of facing the new ball from ‘The Shahadat Hossain’! Laxman and Tendulkar are sweating it out at the nets to prepare to counter the guile of a Shakib Al Hasan?

Bowling coach Eric Simmons has been especially SOSed to Bangladesh to aid bowlers in distress and fathom ways to beat through the defence of Mohammad Ashraful, whose batting average after 51 Tests, by the way, is a whopping 3.35 higher than that of Amit Mishra.

Or maybe that he (Sehwag) was losing hair over devising strategies to halt the Bangladeshi juggernaut, fresh from victory over a club level West Indian side!

The reaction of Bangladesh media as well as the players did seem a tad amateurish. They, over the next five days, vindicated Sehwag’s stand. And the way second Test is headed, Sehwag’s statement may just be underlined.

Harsh as it may sound, Bangladesh, more than a decade since their debut (or 62 Tests), are a side that is very ordinary in Tests, incapable of producing sustained quality displays with bat or with ball, twice in a match.

At best they can unsettle the opposition, like they did in the Chittagong Test, first innings, (bowling India out for 243 must be the stuff the Lankan dreams are made off), or go down fighting, like in their second innings (Mushfiqur Rahim’s gritty 101 seemed more like the final splinter of a fire-cracker before it went bust).

So the manner of Bangladesh resembled that of an adult not only refusing to grow-up, but also throwing tantrums when treated like one. Critics might argue that it took India 20 years to record their first ever Test win, but those were in a simply different era.

It’s not just the 53 defeats, but the fact that they have achieved ‘the feat of picking 20 wickets’ in a Test match only 4 times yet- twice against the Zimbabweans, and, as many times against the depleted West Indians last year.

The problem with Bangladesh churning up mediocre performances is that they belie their abilities

In Nafees, Tamim, Shakib, Madmullah etc, they have seeds of what can be a very competitive outfit. The sparks of brilliance are evident in all their cricketers, but then, a spark may win you an odd ODI, it’s the mental ability that often lets you down.

What Bangladesh need is a change in their approach to the game. Every expert worth his microphone has been yelling from the roof top that Test matches are won by winning sessions…and the days.

In the Chittagong Test, the impression one got was the team was satisfied with just running India close on a few occasions. The just didn’t seem to understand that not too many teams would have tasted a defeat, a resounding one at that, after having bowled out India for 243. In Mirpur, batting first after winning the toss, they were five down by the first hour.

And this has been their script more often than not, every time they have trudged out in white flannels. Recklessness is a luxury that Bangladesh can ill-afford. They have been the damp squibs of the gone by decade.

Do they have it in them to pull through?
(The views expressed by the author in the blog are his/her own)

http://cricket.zeenews.com/blogs.asp...=51&authorid=4

[Eshen]

It took Indian media so long to notice! Since 2004, we been giving other Test sides a run for their money every now and then (and pulling some huge defeats in between).

But I like what he said - "Recklessness is a luxury that Bangladesh can ill-afford." Our current talented bunch need this message get through to them.

[Equinox]

Madmullah? Mad Mullah.

[Rabz]

Well said.
More or less, thats the harsh truth.

[Eshen]

Originally Posted by Equinox
Madmullah? Mad Mullah.

May be he was talking about this guy who had terrorized the world for many years -

[rashed411]

Originally Posted by Eshen
May be he was talking about this guy who had terrorized the world for many years -

hahhahahahahaah LMAO... THIS IS HILARIOUS..

[dark mage]

Well, you know what!? Sehwag said, even Sri Lanka didnt manage to get 20 Indian wickets so, by his reasoning SL was a better opponent, then, SL lost twice to India by an innings, while India couldnt manage to defeat a weaker Bangladesh team by an innings in both tests. Infact, if we didnt lose those 7 wickets for 22 in the last innings of the 2nd test, India would've been in quite alot of trouble, we ran them close in both the tests., better than what Sri Lanka ever managed

[dolcevita]

Yes thats EXACT

Posted via BC Mobile Edition (iPhone)

[kalpurush]

Originally Posted by dark mage
Well, you know what!? Sehwag said, even Sri Lanka didnt manage to get 20 Indian wickets so, by his reasoning SL was a better opponent, then, SL lost twice to India by an innings, while India couldnt manage to defeat a weaker Bangladesh team by an innings in both tests. Infact, if we didnt lose those 7 wickets for 22 in the last innings of the 2nd test, India would've been in quite alot of trouble, we ran them close in both the tests., better than what Sri Lanka ever managed

Indeed, Though, we lost an opportunity there... to shut up the likes of ^^^ ...

[beshideshi]

This is a mindset of world media, that BD is a crap test team. I have heard that for years now. But we are not half as bad as the articles would suggest. We have given test teams run for their money for a long time now, since Multan. The only reason why our test win column still says an embarrassing 3, is because our team has not played enough tests. Let the current bunch play more tests and then see where we stand.
BD are a poor test team, Ricky Ponting/Inzamam/Vettori would like to disagree.
This is how *50s Bangladesh* played against the #1 team at that stage. http://www.cricinfo.com/india/engine/match/62676.html
after a 382 by Aus, India lost by an innings and 226 runs.

[zainab]

Bd needs to play at least 8 test matches per year. Under the FTP, this is not happening, and in the new FTP from 2012, they will hardly play any test matches, if Aust, India and England have their way.

It is up to BCB to make sure that the National team play 4 day matches against other teams to build up their mental capability for the longer version of the game, because what I am noticing is that BD is still in ODI mode, their mindset does not tell them that we have 90 overs in one day, let us play session by session, bat out the day, then bat the next day. How long they do not change this mindset, they will lag behind badly. Also, at least 5 batsmen need to step up to the plate, each one of them is capable of making over 50 runs each, any added innings is a bonus.

[Gowza]

yeah BD not playing enough test cricket, but atm NZ is a very beatable team for them, not only in one-dayers but in tests as well. BD aren't going to get respect as a test team until they start beating 1st XI's, NZ is there for the taking so i hope the BD boys put in the extra effort in this series.

[dark mage]

Originally Posted by Gowza
yeah BD not playing enough test cricket, but atm NZ is a very beatable team for them, not only in one-dayers but in tests as well. BD aren't going to get respect as a test team until they start beating 1st XI's, NZ is there for the taking so i hope the BD boys put in the extra effort in this series.

I agree NZ is a very beatable team, but in their own homeconditions, NZ is almost unbeatable, even teams like Australia, have trouble beating the kiwis on their home turf. Infact Pakistan and India got embarrasin whitewashes when they went to play New Zealand in New Zealand. If we were playing the test on our homesoil, we would have a big chance of beating them, but realistically speaking, we have a very little chance of beating the Black Caps in their backyard

[FagunerAgun]

Infants no more…B’desh need to pull up their socks

agree, but the problem is we have some players who are big with a kid's head.

[bujhee kom]

No matter how aweful and unpleasant it sounds, every bit of this article is true. One of the most important things that we can do is accept the harsh true reality first and then put pressure on the people in charge to bettre the internal, local leagues, grounds, training of the local players and see that we have a transparent and less corrupt system in place. Only then we will have better players and more matured cricketers.

[Gowza]

Originally Posted by dark mage
I agree NZ is a very beatable team, but in their own homeconditions, NZ is almost unbeatable, even teams like Australia, have trouble beating the kiwis on their home turf. Infact Pakistan and India got embarrasin whitewashes when they went to play New Zealand in New Zealand. If we were playing the test on our homesoil, we would have a big chance of beating them, but realistically speaking, we have a very little chance of beating the Black Caps in their backyard

NZ isn't a good side anymore, there batting has been poor for awhile but now they don't have bond or martin and mills isn't in the sqaud to play BD, not sure if he's injured or been ignored or what but BD has a better pace barrage and are on par or better with the spinners, batting i'd give the edge to BD on talent. batting performance will depend on tamim, shakib, riyad mainly but hopefully the others will stand up. BD with a better pace attack and the conditions suiting the pacers should give BD the advantage, NZ batsmen will be more accustom to the conditions but really they're certainly not better batsmen than BD.

[dark mage]

I m not saying New Zealand is a good team but even so, check out how many matches they have won without Bond on their home soil? I dont remember when was the last time a visiting team won against NZ in NewZealand. I remember Inda, Sl and PAK being thrashed by the NZ bowling lineup in their condition even without Bond.

Their bowlers know how and where to bowl in their condition and unless you are a techniqally very correct batsman, its hard to play in tests against NZ in their country. Batting line ups with Tendulkar, Dravid, Inzamam, Yousuf, Sangaka crumbled when facing New Zealand in their backyard. And even the English and the Aussies had trouble playing the Kiwis in their country. It doesnt matter how ordinary their team is, but under their own conditions, they are almost extraordinary.

[Gowza]

in the last 2 years, 11 test matches they've won 2, drawn 5 and lost 4. in ODIs they've played 15 matches in the last 2 years, they've won 6 of those, lost 5, tied 1 and had a no result in 3 matches. they've won a few matches but they've also lost a few.

in the last 12 months they've played 6 test matches, won one, drawn 3 and lost 2. for ODIs in the last 12 months they've played 5, won one, lost 3 and had a no result in the other one.

in t20s over the last 2 years they've won 3, tied 1 and lost 2 and in the last 12 months they've won the 2 t20s they've played at home.

like i said they've won some matches but they've also lost a few and drawn a few. they are a beatable team at home even for BD.

i'm not saying BD should take them lightly, infact they should take this tour very seriously and the reason why they should take it seriously is because this is a great chance for BD to move forward in the cricket world. BD are at that point where we should expect wins, if not series wins against the lower ranked teams of the top 8 no matter where they are playing.

[aniksh1]

I know we have played 62 test and have not done so well... and other blah blah... but teams like NZ played their first couple of test matches over a longer period of time then the ten years BD took..which means they were practicing more in btw test matches...anyways lets not compare us against others and look towards nothing but improvement...

[Neel Here]

Originally Posted by dark mage
I m not saying New Zealand is a good team but even so, check out how many matches they have won without Bond on their home soil? I dont remember when was the last time a visiting team won against NZ in NewZealand. I remember Inda, Sl and PAK being thrashed by the NZ bowling lineup in their condition even without Bond.

Their bowlers know how and where to bowl in their condition and unless you are a techniqally very correct batsman, its hard to play in tests against NZ in their country. Batting line ups with Tendulkar, Dravid, Inzamam, Yousuf, Sangaka crumbled when facing New Zealand in their backyard. And even the English and the Aussies had trouble playing the Kiwis in their country. It doesnt matter how ordinary their team is, but under their own conditions, they are almost extraordinary.

then you should look up cricinfo !

India won the last series, pak and WI drew theirs in NZ.
http://www.cricinfo.com/newzealand/e...es/366620.html
http://stats.cricinfo.com/newzealand...es/366701.html
http://www.cricinfo.com/newzealand/e...es/423771.html

[bujhee kom]

We need to pull up our socks, jangia, undies everyhting! Wake up Bangladesh!

[Fazal]

Originally Posted by bujhee kom
We need to pull up our socks, jangia, undies everyhting! Wake up Bangladesh!

[bujhee kom]

^^Fazal mama, for some reason I can't see the pic, this one from you and a lot of other pics in BC lately...is it something to do with some kind of filter I need to deactivate on this machine? But I can see them from the office computer!

[Fazal]

Originally Posted by bujhee kom
^^Fazal mama, for some reason I can't see the pic, this one from you and a lot of other pics in BC lately...is it something to do with some kind of filter I need to deactivate on this machine? But I can see them from the office computer!

BK bhai tara tari chokher daktar dekhan....aar bolben bashai ashley chokhe kom dekhen.

[bujhee kom]

Originally Posted by Fazal
BK bhai tara tari chokher daktar dekhan....aar bolben bashai ashley chokhe kom dekhen.

Mama..hahaha..hai hai...I can't figure out this compu not letting me see the pic...I want to see the photo now!!