Rocket Test Series
Bangladesh Vs Sri Lanka, 1st Test Played at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chittagong
Bangladesh 374/4 (Mominul Huq 175*, Mushfiqur Rahim 92, Tamim Iqbal 52, Imrul Kayes 40, RAS Lakmal 2/43)
Two little song birds flying high and singing sweet put team tigers firmly on the drivers seat at stumps of day one of the first match of the Rocket test series at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium Chittagong. On a flat deck doing almost nothing Majestic Mominul and Marvelous Mushfique displaying classical cricket answered many questions that perplexed cricket admirers in recent times.
Bangladesh at stumps were sitting pretty on 374/4. Mushfique got out at the fag end of the day losing a little bit of his unwavering concentration scoring 92, Mominul remained unconquered on 175 looking hungry and off course a bit angry. The second morning session would state which way the test would be heading when Mominul resumes with his captain Mahmudullah.
Mushfique lost his captaincy recently after a disastrous South Africa tour. Mominul tagged as test match specialist is overlooked in other formats of the game. He was even initially dropped from the test squad playing against Australia at home. Both answered their critics bravely with their bat. Mominul’s glittering strokes studded aggressive innings was one of classical arrogance. Scoring chanceless 175 not out in 203 balls on day of a test match against a team coached by a person whom many allege as the person discarding him from other formats of international cricket proved few pundits wrong.
Mushfique was also in his true elements effectively laying the foundation of Bangladesh innings. He is a technical genius and remains unruffled while batting no matter what happens to him. The two M’s pair put on precious 236 runs for the third wicket – a record by Bangladesh against any team. Mushfique lost a little bit of concentration when red cherry was introduced after 80 overs .He was a bit lazy in his effort for steering a ball from Lakmal leaving him. He was caught behind scoring 92 his third innings finishing at nervous nineties.
On the very next ball Liton Das waiting with pads on to bat for more than 4 hours shouldered arm to an incoming delivery of Lakmal to see his furniture rattled. This golden duck was the only blemish of an otherwise brilliant day of Sunshine of team tigers. The wicket looked placid. Bangladesh works is only half done. Mominul and Mahmudullah have to carry on. Nothing less than 550 -600 may bring lasting laugh for Bangladesh. By lunch time on day two it may get clear which way the test would be heading
Bangladesh won the test when teams met last in Colombo in the centenary test of Bangladesh. But the home teams lost two matches back to back in ODI in the recently concluded Tri Nation ODI series. Many thought those two matches had unusual conclusion given the recent forms of the two teams. Tigers even blew the Lankans in the first encounter of the two teams. A few matters would be settled in the series.
Hathurusingha after his resignation as national coach in an unprofessional manner said, “He has taken the team to a certain stage beyond which he can not help improving “. We are not in agreement with him. Bangladesh has enormous potential for growing into much stronger out fit even in test cricket. May be Hathurusingha did not think it that way. May be he did not have that capacity. Bangladesh should have won the Tri Nation ODI series. There were no explainable reasons or acceptable excuses for Bangladesh playing very poorly in the last two matches.
Mahmudullah is another test discard by Hathurusingha dominated team management in not too distant past. Circumstances made him lead the team as captain Shakib remains unfit from an injury he sustained during ODI series final match. Winning the toss on a dry dead wicket was a lucky break. He had no hesitation to bat. Bangladesh called veteran quality left arm spinner Abdur Razzak in the squad. He was in hot form in domestic cricket. But surprising few he was overlooked. A hero of many glorious wins of Bangladesh did not deserve such rough deal. Anyway including young left arm spinners Sunzamul and Taijul alongside off spinner Mehedi Miraj was not a bad choice. But on such a wicket experience of Razzak could be handy.
Tamim and Kayes enjoy batting together. They were looking on song right from the word go. Tweeting Tamim was looking great racing to yet another half century in his own belligerent style. But a quality in swinging delivery from Dilruan Perera penetrated through the gate of his bat and pad. His budding innings fell short of flowering to full bloom. Mominul whom his mates affectionately call “MIMI” ined Kayes. Suddenly a sharp turning delivery from Shandakan struck the pads of Kayes and he was adjudged LBW. He did not call DRS and could be saved if asked as ball tracking saw it missing the stumps.
Mushfique joined Mominul . The fairy tale of classic batting of two adoring M of Bangladesh was launched. Mushfique was a calm Pacific while Mominul was like Atlantic avalanche. Classical strokes from the bat of little bird proved many points. This little boy from port city Cox’s Bazar was only second to great Sir Donald Bradman after his first 20 test innings. His bat lost a tune a little bit after Hathurusingha took over the mantle of coaching. He was branded as Teasy match specialist despite of his regular displays of aggressive batting in domestic ODI and T20 matches. He was even discarded from test team. Had not the country stood behind him he could not force his way back. Shortsighted team management almost put paid to his efforts. The magical way he played yesterday was a stunning reply to his critics. With every strokes – classic square cuts, late cuts, pulls and drives he was writing a new page in his document. Ironically all were against the bowling of Hathurusingha masterminded bowling attack. Mominul actually remain calm in his characteristic manner after reaching any milestone. But yesterday it was different. His close fists were looking to deliver knock out punches.
Mushfique looked rock solid. The two Ms had impregnable defense. They were running like guzzles and were unleashing whenever opportunity came their way. mominul reached 100 and 150 playing smooth silky cricket. Mushfique was also looking good for another century. Even great Ranguna Herath could not puzzle the pair. In recent times Herath did not go wicket less giving away 100 runs. Chandimal did not hesitate taking new ball when it was due. Lakmal and Herath were assigned responsibility. Lakmal bowled his best spell of the day. Bowling at pace he swung the ball both sides.
The long vigil of Mushfique came to an end attempting an away swinger from Lakmal . It was a great delivery. He was caught behind at 92. Lakmal cleaned up Liton Das in his very next ball with a deadly in swinger. Poor Liton unnecessarily shouldered arm to a good length delivery pitched just outside his off stump. His golden duck was the only reverse on a glorious day of Team tiger. Credit must also be given to the persistence and perseverance of Team Lanka.
Captain cool Mahmudullah joined Mominul. The pair survived few anxious moments. Lakmal truly bowled his best spell of the match.
The day two will begin with another lessons to be delivered. In not too distant past Mahmudullah and Mominul were discarded from Test Squad by Haturasinghe dominated team management. Mominul was forced back into the squad but Mahmudullah remained obscured. Now one is the captain and other arguably the best batsman, one of the best ever born in this part of the world. However, a boy of greater Chittagong made Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury stadium his happy hunting ground.
It is to be seen when whether Bangladesh playing with a highly inexperienced bowling attack can squeeze Sri Lanka out twice in the match. Mustafiz is the only pacer in the team. He has just started finding his touch after rehaving from injury. He must not bowl longer spells. Sunzamul is new. Miraj and Taijul may need to bowl longer spells. Mosaddeque and Mahmudullah may also need to bowl as Sri Lanka has many left handed batsmen. When Bangladesh called Abdur Razzak , there was no logic not including him .
A Cricket loving nation must not treat its HEROES like this.
BDST: 0845 HRS, FEB 1, 2018
SI
