At least no wicket has fallen for BD

fwullah · #1 July 17, 2002, 08:29 AM

One good news is that Bangladesh batting in the second innings, had not lost a wicket after 7 overs at stumps.

Both the openers Hannan Sarkar (27 runs off 26 balls) and Al Shahriar (1 run off 16 balls) have their chance to do well on Day Three of this 2nd practice match.

Zobair · #2 July 17, 2002, 09:02 AM

Don't you know we here do NOT sing the praises of our 'tigers'

....it has always backfired in the past...This is one area where our batsmen have been consistent...disappointing us just when we think they are upto something good...you don't believe me?! ask Tehsin bhai and rajputro bhai...

Ockey · #3 July 17, 2002, 09:27 AM

Hannan Sarkar scored 27 runs off 26 balls in 31 minutes. He seems to be in a hurry to score runs. I hope BD management did not give the signal to try to win this match. Batting through out the entire day and getting used to the conditions is more important than trying to win the match.

Kudos goes out to Maju... consistant and economical as always. Talha is proving to be pretty good as well but doesn't seem to be filling the shoes of Masri. He is taking the wickets but giving away too many runs.

**Mahmood** · #4 July 17, 2002, 10:03 AM

In test, getting wickets is much more importent that runs. i will choose a bowler with good strike rate then economical rate any day in test.

All I want is BD to make SL bat twice. Remember the last time we played them? World records of 2 player retiring and off course declaring with a mountain to climb for us.

Reshad · #5 July 17, 2002, 11:29 AM

Talha's economy rate is a reflection of his inexperience. I'm sure in time the rate will improve.
As far as a test call up is concerned, I don't think he's ready. We should stick with Manju, Alamgir, Moni and Sumeet so that we can play 6 batters and Pilot.

**Tehsin** · #6 July 17, 2002, 01:27 PM

Taking 3 for 84 and 3 for 85 against BCCSL isn't my idea of improving. None of those players have played a single Test or one-dayer. However, they have played a whole lot more first class matches then our boys.

If we can't get these players out within 300, how can we stop SL reaching 555 again ?

We miss Masri, why did he have to go and do SKIPPING ? We need to ban any kind of skipping (kidding - it's a big part of exercise for sportsmen) at least for Masri. No more skipping.

I wish Rafiq was there. He can do far better than Sumit.

fwullah · #7 July 17, 2002, 11:25 PM

Rafique is also getting old, too. He is 30.

Ockey · #8 July 18, 2002, 12:50 AM

Rafique is a spinner. He age hasn't hampered his ability as spin bowler or put his fitness into question. He doesn't need long runs ups and he has proven in the recently concluded Premier League that there is still hone left in his delivaries. The only reason he wasn't picked is because the gurus in the Bangladesh Chorer Board feel that the only way BD is going to win is to have youngsters have a crack at it. This reason can only be given weight granted BD had talents to replace the older playes. Their only consession has been Asraful who scored a century in his maiden test, which is proving to be a fluke as the days go by. In addition, Rafique has been at odds with the board ever since snubbing the BCB after he was picked for the BD A team for the Busta Cup. Some said he did not go because of financial reason, opting to play in the league than sign a contract with the BCB. Others claimed that it was his way of getting back at the BCB for ignoring him in the national team selection. Whatever, his reasons may have been, things in the past should be burried in the past. He is a top bowler in a country where new bowling talents are proving hard to come by.

Rafique undoubtly has more turn with the ball than Fahim and he can keep the batsman guessing. Not to mention he bowls a tighter line than Fahim. In the inugural test match against India he bowled 53 overs, giving away just over 2 runs an over, taking 3 wickets. That has to be considered an achievement given the flat wicket of Dhaka Stadium. In addition, Fahim's bowling has proven to be all the more predictable as the innings stretch on. It was due time that he was included back in top 11.

[Edited on 18-7-2002 by Ockey]

**Tehsin** · #9 July 18, 2002, 02:16 AM

as Ockey said - Age doesn't really matter for spinners. 30 is nothing, he can go on to play till he is 35-36.

As for BCB officials, we CAN DO WITHOUT them but the team needs good players and Rafique is one of the best our cricket has produced. Don't forget what the folks and the press had to do to get SUMON/NANNU in the side after BCB had dropped them. Sumon is our top batsmen with a hundred and nine (count that - NINE) fifties in his ten tests. BCB didn't want him in the team. Goes to show how much they know about cricket.

**Mahmood** · #10 July 18, 2002, 09:04 AM

I am confused about Rafiq. After the corrected bowling style, he sucked in Zimbabue. Doing good in Dhaka might be simply due to the fact that Dhaka League allows him to throw the ball. Really needed him to play the A team in Busta Cup.