With ODI series already lost tigers must play for pride in third and final ODI tonight. Nothing can happen worse than the second ODI when they imploded to their second lowest ODI score of 70 all out. When 10 out of 11 players of an ICC full member team fail to reach double figure while batting on not to demon of a wicket one must conclude that there must be something wrong with the team chemistry or psyche of the team.
After losing the first match from a seemingly winning position Bangladesh kept West Indies under check for most of the period despite of West Indian top order showing signs of taking the control of the match. But the ultimate target was not beyond the reach by any means if they could bat with a plan. But how can a team justify that batsmen make silly mistakes and few of them throw away their wickets when discretion was the demand of the situation. Only Mushfique and Riad were deceived by wily Sunil Narine. How can a team justify that 10 players together contributed only 38? When the team has genuine problem in the middle order in consolidating the innings and holding the innings together why genuine middle order batsmen Mominul and Mithun Ali were not given responsibility? When the team is struggling why Captain Mushfique could not bat at Number three or four shouldering greater responsibility? How long Bangladesh has to suffer from total confused state of minds of players? Why will the team not grow with mental toughness?
Tiger fans from home and abroad in social media questioned team selection, Mushfique’s captaincy and possible remote control of team think tank. With the possibility of the ignominy of brown wash on the card fans expect that a proper team – the best available will appear tonight. Fans expect that players will play with responsibility and commitment. This writer has talked on Skype and exchanged views with few ex Bangladesh national cricketers, cricket writers and admirers. They thought the best team for third ODI can be Tamim Iqubal, Anamul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mominul Huq, Mithun Ali, Nasir Ahmed, Sohag Gazi, Mashrafee Murtaza, Abdur Razzak, Taskin Ahmed and Al Amin. We find no place for Imrul Kayes, Shamsur Rahman and Mahamudullah in the team. Mominul or Mithun will not have horrors of failure in their mind that Kayes, Shamsur and Mahamudullah will be having. Bowling Mashrafee and Taskin at the early stage of the match and rotating Al Amin in between will test the pace trio combination for the much important world cup looming in not too distant future . We have to persist with Razzak in absence of Sakib. Mahmudullah had too many opportunities with very rare success.
Bangladesh will not play any ODI abroad after today before World Cup. So we must try our best bowling combination that will suit Australian condition. We have to try Mominul and Mithun Ali in any case. With Sohag Gazi there as specialist off spinner Mahamudullah is not indispensable. We have a feeling that Heath Streak influence is visible on skill enhancement of our pacers. They are bowling in right areas and striking successes. But what our head coach has done with our batting? The batting is going from bad to worse. This team is walking on the skin of the teeth. They looked panicked and nervous in dealing with even ordinary bowling. West Indian bowlers played mind game with them in two matches played so far. In first match Anamul, Tamim and Nasir coped with the situation. In the second Tamim tried to counter attack and Anamul possibly got a rough decision. But the others played like novice school kids.
We hope Bangladesh will try to play to their potential and create a contest in the match irrespective of whatever is the outcome of the match. There is no point playing defensively. Bangladesh must play positively and attack with aggressive intent when situation demands. But aggression must also be restrained. Tiger fans want that they must not surrender without fight. Bangladeshi cricketers must show some character. They can take a leaf out of young Pakistani batsmen Fawad Alam and Maqsood batting bravely to snatch a match from the jaw of Sri Lankans.
BDST: 1830 HRS, AUG 25, 2014
