Rafiq's Magical Over and Dhaka's First Victory

[Sohel]

It was the fourth and final day of a first class match that pitted river-locked Dhaka against rivals Chittagong by the Bay of Bengal. In the fourth round of this season’s NCL and after watching no less than two probable wins slip out of their grasp and end up as draws, in fact one of those probable wins almost handing victory to the less glamorous Barisal last week, fourth place Dhaka was in desperate need of a victory. Bottom feeding Chittagong with its stellar lineup of marauding batsmen needed a victory even more desperately.

Shahadat Hossain Rajib, the spearhead of Dhaka’s bowling attack, was out sick and Nafees Iqbal Khan, one of the most talented top order Bangladeshi batsmen to date once hailed as the future captain of the side, found himself warming the bench for Chittagong.

Dhaka was comfortably in the driver’s seat by the end of day three, thanks to some awkward and unsightly, but also patient and effective batting from their strokeless and googlie-eyed opener Javed Omar Belim who for once did his JOB with 101 runs. The ineffective batting from star Chittagonian batsmen who again failed to deliver on their long awaited promise and go on to meet our expectations as fans, also helped.

The start of day four saw Dhaka Captain Mohammad Ashraful out with a fever, leaving his deputy and abject failure Al Shahriar Rokon in charge to deliver an early breakthrough by trying to manage the bowlers at his disposal, and possibly setting the field according to their abilities. Chittagong found themselves trailing by 11 runs after managing to lose 4 wickets despite the promising start from the immensely talented, but still impetuous young Tamim Iqbal Khan who decided to throw his wicket away after scoring 70 wonderfully sensible runs. The tall and limited Masumuddowla overstayed his welcome, Mohammad Nazimuddin continued to disappoint with his strangely taciturn cameo in the middle, and Aftab Ahmed was just being himself during the course of his 30 odd runs. He just came and went the way he usually does before Captain Ehsanul Haq Shezan and Faisal Hossain Dickens stopped the damage late in day three.

With bland but tricky Dickens in the middle with the no frills Shezan, another stepchild of Bangladeshi cricket in the tradition of the less technically sound but better scoring Tushar Imran to keep him company, Chittagong found itself staring down the barrel of an almost certain defeat. ALMOST because we are after all “thrill a minute” Bangladeshis who have embraced those glorious uncertainties of cricket more intimately than most, even more than Pakistanis from where I’m sitting.

So imagine their surprise when some typically inept and blasé captaincy from Rokon allowed them to ease back into the match and ponder a feasible draw during the first hour of play. They started to graft a partnership without too much difficulty as Rokon remained passive and positively HaBa-esque in his field settings, waiting for something to happen with his alleged mind on GOD knows what. His bowlers, including the wily veteran Mohammad Rafiq wasn’t going to get anything from their substitute captain, and if Rafiq wasn’t going to, neither could the twin mediocrity of the Slow Left Armer “Ghost Face Killah” Rubel and the supposedly reverse swinging lollipops from “All-rounder” Sharif. The less said about the skeletal Robin’s gentler medium pacers, and the somewhat effective but nevertheless part-time charms of Mehrab Jr. the better. Riyad, an excellent ‘containment’ bowler sans the knack for picking up wickets, is sparingly used in the longer versions of the sport for good reason, and nobody was about to rock that little boat. The early session was coming to a close with Dhaka leaking runs like a senile old drunk’s bladder in the proverbial Tenderloin District, USA.

With an anxious Ashraful looking on from the dressing room and popping Tylenol, Excedrin, Advil and what have you like candy, it was clearly time for Rafiq to take matters into his own hands and deliver the crucial breakthrough before Rokon’s esoteric genius let the situation degenerate further. He had to come up with a script which can set up a wicket for the taking, either by catching a batsman LBW-ed and caught with his pants down, or knocking off his stumps. He chose Dickens, the lesser of the two batsmen, as his probable victim and rose to the occasion as only he can.

He angled in and neatly grouped the first three balls on the same spot just outside off, turning in towards the batsman a bit. Although the deliveries seemed similar enough to the naked eye, he varied his pace in each, keeping an increasingly comfortable Dickens guessing into discomfort and unease as he defended those deliveries in used-book fashion, meaning all the required substance but without the flash and fragrance of something less handled.

Then came the beautiful arm ball from Mohammad Rafiq which sent Faisal Hossain Dickens back to the dressing room at 25. Looking at a delivery fed into the same line and length, Dickens expected the ball to turn a bit once again from just outside off stump, and ended up being duped into misjudging the real line of the pitch completely. The ball never turned despite all the signs to the contrary, and he found himself CLEAN BOWLED and bamboozled to the core, walking back to the dressing room plunged into deep disbelief and despair after the initial daze left his system. Shezan just dropped his jaw and stared on as Dhiman Ghosh, the last recognizable batsman in the Chittagong card, took guard. Dhiman survived the next two deliveries but the early and irreversible damage was done for Chittagong.

The veteran had struck again and bought his Captain some precious time before he relieved Rokon from the clutches of captaincy right before lunch. As Mohammad Ashraful’s fever subsided a bit, the chances of a Dhaka victory also increased dramatically, all thanks to the subtly critical over from the tirelessly innovative Mohammad Rafiq, still the very best we are fortunate to have.

Chittagong’s last chances to build a partnership and force an unlikely draw ended with an atrocious caught behind decision that saw Dhiman walk back to the dressing room after some damn good batting. The last wicket partnership between Tareq ‘MBA’ Aziz and Rubel ‘Malinga’ Hossain gave Chittagong a 103 run lead before forcing Dhaka to bat, but did little to prevent the inevitable with 40 overs left in the day.

Defending champions Dhaka, led by the innovative mind and aggressive instincts of National Captain Mohammad Ashraful, made SURE that those runs were indeed too little, too late, and looked certain to cruise to an easy victory and 16 points, keeping them very much in contention for the championship this NCL season.

But wait, surely not even the customarily moronic dismissals of Anwar and Rokon could prevent Dhaka from winning the match? Not if Dhaka’s second innings wonders can help it.

Mohammad Ashraful, apparently still battling fever, came in and hit a lovely boundary viciously driven past gully, before casually guiding the next delivery straight into the surprised second slip fielder’s palms, and created some excitement. But that excitement was short lived as soon as Javed Omar Belim was joined in the middle by Mehrab Hossain Junior, his younger, left-handed and upgraded version, and the crowd of 10 to 12 thousand spectators gasped in fear, pondering the questionable wonders of watching paint dry. Luckily for them, Javed Omar Belim, a smoker of fine multinational cigarettes like his former National Captain and Vice-captain, got himself run-out and spared us all the European beaux-arts. The direct hit from a very young Kamrul Islam played a part too as Senior was trying to take a second run which simply wasn’t there.

In came Shamsur Rahman Shubho, took no time to protrude his butt skyward and poke at a delivery just outside off like a skittish little novice with his feet glued inside the crease. Less than a second later, Dhiman Ghosh gloved another first class dismissal to his name. “Barisal Story: The Chittagong Sequel” was in the works, to be directed by our very own Hatebreed in the not too distant future. Suddenly Dhaka found themselves 5 wickets down with an hour left to get those 50 odd winning runs.

Mahmudullah Riyad, a tall and athletic graduate of the “Javed Omar Belim School of Cricketing Excitement” came in to deliver the goods. With his shorter partner showing the way in the middle with him, Riyad treated all of us to dot balls and blocked shots off docile deliveries from extremely young and no name slow bowlers, and continued to generate excitement as the Sun prepared to set itself where it usually does. Rotating the strike was absent enough in his game to seem positively exotic, as Mehrab on the other end began to feel the heat also. They have obviously been taught well by the Founder.

Soon afterwards, the pressure built up faster than the fading light and the panic set in even faster. Luckily for Dhaka, Riyad suddenly managed to shake himself loose from the well-cultivated lethargy, and started banging away in reckless abandon. He continued to survive by the Supreme Grace of our Lord and Savior, until GOD decided enough is enough and it was time for Riyad to reap what he has been sowing all this time. He was clean bowled trying to poorly sweep an ordinary delivery from the impressive Saju Dutt, perhaps the new Rafiq if 5 years or so. In came Rafiq, took guard and skied one straight to Dickens, his hapless victim from earlier in the day.

I mean why go for 1s and 2s when you can thick edge 4s and 6s and throw your wicket away if you can’t? Live dangerously and to hell with whatever. In the meantime, light was REALLY becoming a SERIOUS issue with 16 more runs to go and 3 wickets in hand.

Mehrab was caught absolutely plumb off a full pitched delivery from young Kamrul, but the obvious call was mysteriously denied by the magnificent local umpire who decided to out-Asoka Asoka for the second time today. He signaled leg byes and added more luster to robbing Dhiman Ghosh earlier in the day. It was 92 for 7, and Dhaka needed 9 runs to win with minutes left in the game. In fact, the umpires offered Dhaka batsmen light which they promptly turned down. The umpire whipped out a light meter and allowed the match to continue. Mehrab, now really panicky, edged one right through slip and put 4 more runs on the board, and then almost hit another, cleaner one, to be heroically saved right at the ropes by Kamrul’s desperate dive.

The match eventually resulted in a much awaited second Dhaka victory by 3 wickets basically on the back of some panicky, streaky and risky shots from Riyad, and as soon as it was over, the overall cricketing merit of the match started to fade like raindrops on scorching asphalt from our summers. But that gem of an over from Mohammad Rafiq will never fade that easily. He has done it before and by the infinite grace of GOD, he will do it again, and just like most of those other times in the past, his wiles and guile will make other SLAs pale in comparison.

[Kabir]

I started reading the article thinking it was the second hattrick in the history of domestic cricket in BD. But alas, it was yet another arm ball from Rafiq that got a wicket. That's clever bowling, but nothing that's unheard of.

Although I understand that wicket by Rafiq may have brought hope to the side for a victory (we get excited over small little signs, don't we?), but other than that, everything else in the match was just poor show.

My 2 cents

[kaisermatin]

Good read! Thanks for creating the same excitement as watching a live match.

[akabir77]

S_NR Bhai ki Western golper boi likhten naki? good work

[HereWeGo]

Much more interesting to read your articles than those of any sports writer in Bangladesh whose job is basically to describe wats written on the scoreboard. I wonder if they eveen watch the match.

Thanks a lot , I thoroughly enjoyed the article.

[DJ Sahastra]

It can make for a good bollywood movie

[Beamer]

Blockbuster Sohel - your new name !

[Tigers_eye]

Excellent read. However, I thought the JO hatred was too obvious.

Sohel bhai,
I personally feel between you and me, there is difference in approach on seeing BD cricket. I want our batsmen to know how to draw a match first you want them to know how to win first (They know nothing by the way). Therefore, to you scoring runs is more important whereas, to me, staying in between the wickets longer is the best thing (longer version of the game). Test is a five day game. If we have to rely on sharif to save us from getting bowled out in first session that is pathetic. This is only because our batsmen plays too many shots. Yes, JO, KMashud, Mehrab Jr., Rajin are too negative to my liking but they are better than Aftab, Tamim, SN, NI, HB, AK, TI and all other stroke makers.

These stroke makers do not know how important their wickets are.

[akabir77]

Originally Posted by Tigers_eye
Excellent read. However, I thought the JO hatred was too obvious.

Sohel bhai,
I personally feel between you and me, there is difference in approach on seeing BD cricket. I want our batsmen to know how to draw a match first you want them to know how to win first (They know nothing by the way). Therefore, to you scoring runs is more important whereas, to me, staying in between the wickets longer is the best thing (longer version of the game). Test is a five day game. If we have to rely on sharif to save us from getting bowled out in first session that is pathetic. This is only because our batsmen plays too many shots. Yes, JO, KMashud, Mehrab Jr., Rajin are too negative to my liking but they are better than Aftab, Tamim, SN, NI, HB, AK, TI and all other stroke makers.

These stroke makers do not know how important their wickets are.

Agree 100%. BTW who is AK?

[Kabir]

Originally Posted by akabir77
Agree 100%. BTW who is AK?

Alok Kapali

[Rabz]

Great read Sohel bhai.
You really keep this forum alive these days....

[Beamer]

[quote=Tigers_eye;564903]Excellent read. However, I thought the JO hatred was too obvious.

Sohel bhai,
I personally feel between you and me, there is difference in approach on seeing BD cricket. I want our batsmen to know how to draw a match first you want them to know how to win first (They know nothing by the way). Therefore, to you scoring runs is more important whereas, to me, staying in between the wickets longer is the best thing (longer version of the game). Test is a five day game. If we have to rely on sharif to save us from getting bowled out in first session that is pathetic. This is only because our batsmen plays too many shots. Yes, JO, KMashud, Mehrab Jr., Rajin are too negative to my liking but they are better than Aftab, Tamim, SN, NI, HB, AK, TI and all other stroke makers.

Ideally we would like to see our batsmen scoring big runs and staying at the wkt for long period. That demoralizes the bowler. But, if you concentrate on only staying and not scoring, trust me, the pressure will be so intense by the opposing captain, even the most disciplined will falter. You can't play the game that way. I thought Siddons said it perfectly and I share his views when he said that you can't stay in the wkt for a session and score 20 runs, only to get out. You have to score and gotta have positive intent. That doesn't mean Ash style but more controlled aggression and play situation cricket. It's a bonus that our batsmen 'can' play a lot of shots and are inherently aggressive. What they are lacking is curbing that over attacking attitude. We are mentally weak as well. If we fill up the batting card with types of JO, Rajin, Mehrab, etc ,we will lose any chance of positive result. Learning to play to draw irrespective of any game situation is a defeatist attitude and I don't want that installed in our players. Besides, how many draws do you see in modern game? Not many.

[Sohel]

Originally Posted by Tigers_eye
Excellent read. However, I thought the JO hatred was too obvious.

Sohel bhai,
I personally feel between you and me, there is difference in approach on seeing BD cricket. I want our batsmen to know how to draw a match first you want them to know how to win first (They know nothing by the way). Therefore, to you scoring runs is more important whereas, to me, staying in between the wickets longer is the best thing (longer version of the game). Test is a five day game. If we have to rely on sharif to save us from getting bowled out in first session that is pathetic. This is only because our batsmen plays too many shots. Yes, JO, KMashud, Mehrab Jr., Rajin are too negative to my liking but they are better than Aftab, Tamim, SN, NI, HB, AK, TI and all other stroke makers.

These stroke makers do not know how important their wickets are.

Thanks for the kind words Mijan, glad you enjoyed it. It WAS meant to be humorous, albeit a little on the dark and bitter side, a bit like the way I like my coffee ...

About Golla: it has always been about appreciating the value of your wicket AND rotating the strike by playing each ball according its own merit, not the type of 'risky' batting that tends to throw wickets away. I don't think technically limited players like Golla or Rajin CAN do either, although I still harbor plenty of hope for young Riyad and Orion. I feel we both want the same thing ...

[Sohel]

Thanks everyone, I'm glad you enjoyed it.

I humbly suggest that no one takes the blabber too seriously, except the part about Rafiq's killer arm ball of course ...

[Sohel]

Originally Posted by Beamer
Ideally we would like to see our batsmen scoring big runs and staying at the wkt for long period. That demoralizes the bowler. But, if you concentrate on only staying and not scoring, trust me, the pressure will be so intense by the opposing captain, even the most disciplined will falter. You can't play the game that way. I thought Siddons said it perfectly and I share his views when he said that you can't stay in the wkt for a session and score 20 runs, only to get out. You have to score and gotta have positive intent. That doesn't mean Ash style but more controlled aggression and play situation cricket. It's a bonus that our batsmen 'can' play a lot of shots and are inherently aggressive. What they are lacking is curbing that over attacking attitude. We are mentally weak as well. If we fill up the batting card with types of JO, Rajin, Mehrab, etc ,we will lose any chance of positive result. Learning to play to draw irrespective of any game situation is a defeatist attitude and I don't want that installed in our players. Besides, how many draws do you see in modern game? Not many.

Bingo.

Way to go dear twin ...

[akabir77]

SO Beamer B you r ok with getting out in 3 days or 2 and a half days i guess? In logic what u r saying is perfect but in reall world that doesn't happen... We need to teach some of the players (stroke makers) how to curve their strokes. in the mean time we need players who can hold the fort. Also i think players like Jr. can learn how to rotate. Now if you just want to include stroke makers and want to go for win (which is out of our reach at this moment) we will get those 2 days worth of batting... and they will learn nothing as the game will end before they realize anything...

SO we need the right mix of stoke makers and the grafters in the team and hence we r talking about those guys in the team...

[Tigers_eye]

Originally Posted by Beamer
Ideally we would like to see our batsmen scoring big runs and staying at the wkt for long period. That demoralizes the bowler. But, if you concentrate on only staying and not scoring, trust me, the pressure will be so intense by the opposing captain, even the most disciplined will falter. You can't play the game that way. I thought Siddons said it perfectly and I share his views when he said that you can't stay in the wkt for a session and score 20 runs, only to get out. You have to score and gotta have positive intent. That doesn't mean Ash style but more controlled aggression and play situation cricket. It's a bonus that our batsmen 'can' play a lot of shots and are inherently aggressive. What they are lacking is curbing that over attacking attitude. We are mentally weak as well. If we fill up the batting card with types of JO, Rajin, Mehrab, etc ,we will lose any chance of positive result. Learning to play to draw irrespective of any game situation is a defeatist attitude and I don't want that installed in our players. Besides, how many draws do you see in modern game? Not many.

I wait for the day when our boys learn to control their aggression. One does not learn to control aggression unless he can block any balls he wants to. The stroke makers are just too predictable to hit out. We all know how to get SN, Aftab and Ash out. The opposing captain has to do nothing. Just set the fielders watching few outs and they get out by themselves. Soft dismissals. Was not Aftab penalized for playing recklessly and banished from the test? I don't see him learning a lot from that even after a year has passed. NCL is no longer picnic. He should have put NCL on fire by now with his talent. The new crops (Mushi, Nazimuddin, Junaed, Imrul) are a little better as it seems to control their aggression.

I don't understand the pressure that you are talking about when players not scoring runs. I don't understand the importance of strike rotation in a 4/5 day match. I really don't. I was taught in test, two batsmen in the middle take care of their end respectively. Hit the lose ball. Eliminate mistakes and runouts. Boring yup!! But effective. Runrate between 2-3. So be it. 225 (2.5 rr 90 overs) in a day i will take it at this stage. This is not Twenty/20 anyways. I never liked Afridi-type player in test. There can only be one Viv Richards who has already played for WI. I am not saying we have our top 6 all JO type players but couple of them would only be better for these stroke makers to learn how important their wickets are.

As for the coach, welcome to Bangladesh once again. Hope he understands the boys have no true cricketing role model to follow in the team or out side the team. This is not Australian under 25 team. One (while crawling) must learn how to walk before they can run.

[Beamer]

Getting out after batting 3 days and 2 1/2 days? I think you meant the game to be over in that time. I want all of our top six to be stroke makers, but patient stroke makers, who can bat beyond sessions and in the process score runs to put the opponent under pressure, so our bowlers have something to ball at. I don't quite follow what you are trying to say. Are you proposing that we sack every player that play with positive intent, however flawed they are, and replace them with pure grafters, as you call, 'holding the fort' type of players who are equally flawed in what they do? Those players we have give you the illusion of dogged resistance, but in reality, they too leave the job undone.

I agree though when you say that some of our stroke makers need to learn how to curve it sometimes and play according to the situation of the match. No room for disagreement. Thats what I hope that one day the likes of Ash, Aftab, SN will take us that extra mile, when they will score big tons, playing two three sessions.

A solid top six batsmen must have the capability to strike and graft according to the situation of the game. I am not looking for a swap deal here. Generally, its easier for the natural stroke makers to slow down when needed, as it is a mental thing, which can be honed. It is upto the player to learn that. But, someone who is not a naturally gifted striker, I am afraid, nothing can rectify that fault.

Yes, We need the right mix right now. Simply because one can't do the job of the other! Make sense? No team can flourish in test matches like that. Aftab doesn'y play tests because he is playing in one mode. But, when he decides to buckle down, would you swap him for Rajin in the team? No. Why? Because he is already blessed with the natural power that Rajin doesn't have.

Hopefully you see what I am trying to say...

[BanCricFan]

Thoroughly enjoyable read Sohel NR bhai! The excellent work somewhat marred by overt usage of negative and not-so-pleasant adjectives for some of the players. We fan must reserve some respect and courtesy towards the PLAYERS- after all, they are the ones who is playing the game!

Just an honest criticism and hopefully you will find it constructive. Apart from this little qualm, the article was rivetting, palatably flowery and witty and very descriptive of the happenings in and off the field... I'm sure most BC members are immensely proud to have someone of your articulation and enthusiasm for the game on board...Keep up the good work, hermano!

BTW, the analogy of leaking runs and the leaking drunkard was hilarious!

[akabir77]

Originally Posted by Beamer
Getting out after batting 3 days and 2 1/2 days? I think you meant the game to be over in that time. I want all of our top six to be stroke makers, but patient stroke makers, who can bat beyond sessions and in the process score runs to put the opponent under pressure, so our bowlers have something to ball at. I don't quite follow what you are trying to say. Are you proposing that we sack every player that play with positive intent, however flawed they are, and replace them with pure grafters, as you call, 'holding the fort' type of players who are equally flawed in what they do? Those players we have give you the illusion of dogged resistance, but in reality, they too leave the job undone.

yeah u r right about the 3 day finish thing. and
No i am not saying sack all of them who r stroke makers. On the other hand it sounds like you want to drop all the slow players (Golla, Rajin, Pilot) just because they have , according to you, a loser mentality.
What I am saying is, I agree that we need to get them out (those three) but at this moment as our star stroke players have no clue what TEST match is, we just can't. See how aftab bats in NCL? how do you expect him to learn the art of TEST in 2 test matches in NZ when he can't do it in his home ground...

I agree though when you say that some of our stroke makers need to learn how to curve it sometimes and play according to the situation of the match. No room for disagreement. Thats what I hope that one day the likes of Ash, Aftab, SN will take us that extra mile, when they will score big tons, playing two three sessions.

And i agree and that's why while two three of them r learning (ash, TI, AFTAB) we need some people to slow it down. Cuase it will not happen (Them scoring big runs that quickly like in NZ tour or the next one).

A solid top six batsmen must have the capability to strike and graft according to the situation of the game. I am not looking for a swap deal here. Generally, its easier for the natural stroke makers to slow down when needed, as it is a mental thing, which can be honed. It is upto the player to learn that. But, someone who is not a naturally gifted striker, I am afraid, nothing can rectify that fault.

Again in paper it looks good that we need six solid batsmen etc etc but in reallity we don't have solid batsmen. so what we have to do is, I think, we need to make solid player out of (ASH, AFTAB, JR., Tamim) and while they r learning we need to work with what ever we have so that we have a chance to play all 5 days. if we have all stroke player like you r suggesting here (if i am understanding u right) then the game will be over in 2 days or may be 3rd day morning...

Yes, We need the right mix right now. Simply because one can't do the job of the other! Make sense? No team can flourish in test matches like that. Aftab doesn'y play tests because he is playing in one mode. But, when he decides to buckle down, would you swap him for Rajin in the team? No. Why? Because he is already blessed with the natural power that Rajin doesn't have.

Hopefully you see what I am trying to say...

So you want to try him(aftab) out and keep him in the TEST team until he decides to buckle down? Last time i check it was still "Bangladesh" team not "WHEN WILL AFTAB LEARN HOW TO PLAY TEST" team.

I get your point but i don't agree with that. I don't think playing ONLY stroke players at this moment is the answer

[akabir77]

Originally Posted by Tigers_eye
I wait for the day when our boys learn to control their aggression. One does not learn to control aggression unless he can block any balls he wants to. The stroke makers are just too predictable to hit out. We all know how to get SN, Aftab and Ash out. The opposing captain has to do nothing. Just set the fielders watching few outs and they get out by themselves. Soft dismissals. Was not Aftab penalized for playing recklessly and banished from the test? I don't see him learning a lot from that even after a year has passed. NCL is no longer picnic. He should have put NCL on fire by now with his talent. The new crops (Mushi, Nazimuddin, Junaed, Imrul) are a little better as it seems to control their aggression.

I don't understand the pressure that you are talking about when players not scoring runs. I don't understand the importance of strike rotation in a 4/5 day match. I really don't. I was taught in test, two batsmen in the middle take care of their end respectively. Hit the lose ball. Eliminate mistakes and runouts. Boring yup!! But effective. Runrate between 2-3. So be it. 225 (2.5 rr 90 overs) in a day i will take it at this stage. This is not Twenty/20 anyways. I never liked Afridi-type player in test. There can only be one Viv Richards who has already played for WI. I am not saying we have our top 6 all JO type players but couple of them would only be better for these stroke makers to learn how important their wickets are.

As for the coach, welcome to Bangladesh once again. Hope he understands the boys have no true cricketing role model to follow in the team or out side the team. This is not Australian under 25 team. One (while crawling) must learn how to walk before they can run.

Thank you very much... this is what i am trying to say also...

[Miraz]

Originally Posted by BanCricFan
Thoroughly enjoyable read Sohel NR bhai! The excellent work somewhat marred by overt usage of negative and not-so-pleasant adjectives for some of the players. We fan must reserve some respect and courtesy towards the PLAYERS- after all, they are the ones who is playing the game!

Just an honest criticism and hopefully you will find it constructive. Apart from this little qualm, the article was rivetting, palatably flowery and witty and very descriptive of the happenings in and off the field... I'm sure most BC members are immensely proud to have someone of your articulation and enthusiasm for the game on board...Keep up the good work, hermano!

BTW, the analogy of leaking runs and the leaking drunkard was hilarious!

Undoubtedly another good piece from Sohel.

Have to agree with you here. Too much use of unpleasant adjectives, some which are way too harsh and does not represent the player at all.

It's more like a drama script than a match report, but a very well written script.

If Sohel can carefully omit those over enthusiastic adjectives, the linguistic content and descriptive nature of his match reports can be a real asset here.

[Nocturnal]

Originally Posted by BanCricFan
Thoroughly enjoyable read Sohel NR bhai! The excellent work somewhat marred by overt usage of negative and not-so-pleasant adjectives for some of the players. We fan must reserve some respect and courtesy towards the PLAYERS- after all, they are the ones who is playing the game!

Just an honest criticism and hopefully you will find it constructive. Apart from this little qualm, the article was rivetting, palatably flowery and witty and very descriptive of the happenings in and off the field... I'm sure most BC members are immensely proud to have someone of your articulation and enthusiasm for the game on board...Keep up the good work, hermano!

BTW, the analogy of leaking runs and the leaking drunkard was hilarious!

hmmm....Sohel bhai already said it in his previous post

Originally Posted by Sohel NR
Thanks for the kind words Mijan, glad you enjoyed it. It WAS meant to be humorous, albeit a little on the dark and bitter side, a bit like the way I like my coffee ...

Originally Posted by Sohel NR
Thanks everyone, I'm glad you enjoyed it.
I humbly suggest that no one takes the blabber too seriously, except the part about Rafiq's killer arm ball of course ...

[Murad]

Well written, Sohel bhai. Jader mone dukkho ache, apnar lekha pore tader mon valo hoye jabe..as na heshe parbe na..

btw Sohel bhai, it was Dhaka's 2nd victory not first. They won the match against Sylhet in the 2nd round.

[kalpurush]

Sohel Bhai: My gratitude. A pleasent read. Moha aanondey poriyachi!