Thursday, June 25, 2015

Rise of the Challengers - Bangladesh

As the umpire adjudged Mustafizur LBW, it marked an Indian win and also concluded the India vs Bangladesh ODI series. Though, the win was a saving grace for the Indian team, however, it being the high point of the 3 ODI match series wasn't something which fans back at home were execting.

There's no doubt that Bangla team has learned a few new tricks. They have produced some exceptional performances against one of the best teams in the world, especially, on their home turf. They have "Bangla-washed" New Zealand and Pakistan in ODI series in past few year, latter came just a few months back.Underestimating this Bangla team is a mistake which team India, Pakistan and England has recently committed and have paid the price.

The zeal and grit displayed by Musrafe Murtaza and Co. proves that the team is ready to graduate from newcomer to the challenger. My favorite player from the Bangla team has been Mushfiqur Rahim, who stood tall against the best of the attacks in the world to take his team home. Watching him slogging one of the best off spinners around, Saeed Ajmal, through mid wicket was nothing less than a treat.And that's not just it, his quiver is full of shots to play all around the ground. Another player which has come up in the ranks in this year has been Taskin Ahmed. Taskin is a gem of a fast bowler. He can bowl above 140 kmph without sweating, hits the deck hard and has been the only bowler to extract extra bounce from the pitch in this Indo Bangla series. Mustafizur is the find of this series. His accuracy and change of pace was impeccable and the best of Indian batsmen couldn't find a way through. He finished the series with 13 wickets and entering the record books subsequently. However, I still rate Taskin as a better bowler than Mustafizur. Bangla pace attack shows great hopes with both these youngsters in their rank, lead by seniors players like the captain Murtaza and Rubel Hossain.

Moving from Bangla's fast bowling to their spin bowling, which is lead by the ace all rounder and current number one, Shakib Al Hasan. He is the first Bangla produce who has proved himself in all different conditions and rightfully earned the title of being their best player. He leads the attach with Nassir Hossain and any occasional spinner in the team. He accuracy with the ball is the flawless.

Now, the batting of the Bangla team. The roar is lead by the fearless Tamin Iqbal and Soumya Sarkar. Sarkar being counted among the players like Gayle and Baz to have the best boundary percentage in their careers in recent year can display their ruthless aggression against any opponent. Batting line then feature the experience of Mushfiqur and Shakib whom the middle order depends. But the lower middle has Shabbir Hosain who makes sure than even with 4-5 wickets down, Bangladesh doesn't go out without a fight. Shabbir has produced a few innings in this short career which have proved crucial in Bangla wins.

I skipped but didn't forget to mention the star of the world cup for Bangladesh, Mahmudullah Riyad. Scoring two centuries on the trot doesn't happen to players every week. He plays at the most crucial position of a cricket team, No. 3. I would like him to play at the same position for many years to come.

The best aspect of this current gritty Bangla team is average age. This team has the perfect mixture of young and restless energy measured and controlled by perfect amount of experience.

I hope to see great cricket from the Bangla Tigers in the coming years.

src: ap2tsroundup.com

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