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| Bangladesh batsmen (from L-R) Mohammad Ashraful, Junaed Siddiqui and Nasir Hossain batting in the Harare Sports Club nets yesterday, ahead of today's 2nd ODI against Zimbabwe |
Bangladesh's optimism ahead of today's second one-day match is eked from the times gone by.
The Tigers famously fought back from 2-0 down against Zimbabwe to clinch the five-match series in 2005 under Habibul Bashar, and even as recently as in the last series when Shakib Al Hasan's men lost the first game and went on to win the series 3-1.
In 2009, Zimbabwe took the lead in the first game twice but the Tigers took away the trophy on both occasions.
But as Bashar, now a selector, observed, this is not the same Zimbabwe team, not even similar to the one that lost 3-1 in December last year.
It hasn't been personnel that have shifted places but mentality and becoming more disciplined that have caught the Tigers napping. The home side have looked prepared both on and off the field.
Whether it was by dishing out a dodgy wicket in the practice match, keeping their new pace sensation as a closely-guarded secret or having more efficient footwork against the likes of Abdur Razzak and Shakib Al Hasan, the Zimbabweans have looked the better side.
So to bank on history would be yet another tactless move from the Tigers.
After losing three games on tour and mostly being dominated by their hosts, it is time to bring out a new plan and play Zimbabwe as they are and not wait for them to make mistakes.
The responsibility should lie with a few individuals because that's how the Tigers have been from the World Cup, a team of individuals. And this theme will hardly change.
Skipper Shakib and Tamim Iqbal will be expected to take batting responsibilities, the latter more so due to Imrul Kayes going through a lean patch during this tour.
Shahriar Nafees, Mohammad Ashraful and Mahmudullah Riyad are experienced enough to shepherd the middle-order but they too have shone only in the first innings of the Test match while in Riyad's case, performing has become more necessary than the others.
They can all take a leaf out of Mushfiqur Rahim's book, the wicketkeeper having rediscovered his one-day form since the last-gasp 81 against Australia back in April. Apart from Shakib's glowing confidence, Mushfiqur now looks the most comfortable batsman.
It is likely that the bowling attack will go through some changes as either Abdur Razzak or Sohrawardi Shuvo will make way for Nazmul Hossain.
To bring in a three-man seam attack would be a positive move, especially with Rubel Hossain among the wickets.
The management could also punt on newcomer Nasir Hossain, the highly-rated all-rounder who is known to form his game according to the need of the team.
But in a crucial game such as today's, the Tigers would dearly hope the experienced players come good and bring the change, even at the cost of repeating history.
Source: http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=198507
1 comments:
TOUGH CALL FOR BAN TO BOUNCE BACK :
Loosing 2 consequtive ODI's against ZIM at Harare has made it tough for the visitors to bounce back. Failure of Toporder has been worry for selection comittee. I think Alok kapali & Junaid Siddique should be included in the squad
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