Sri Lanka 332 for 1 (TM Dilshan 161*, KC Sangakkara 105*, HDRL Thirimanne 52 ) beat Bangladesh 240 (Sabbir Rahman 53, Shakib Al Hasan 46, Mushfqur Rahim 36, Anamul Huq 29, Mahamudullah  Riad 28, SL Malinga 3-35, LAS Lakmal 2/49) by 92 runs

In a very important match of Pool A Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh convincingly at MCG by 92 runs to brighten their chances for the quarter final of ICC World Cup 2015. Bangladesh after beating Afghanistan comfortably and sharing a point with red hot favorite Australia from the rained out match at Brisbane was hoping against to upset Sri Lanka.

One must not have forgotten that Sri Lanka finished second in both 2007 and 2011 world cup and are reigning champions of T20 world. True they were not in their best form in recent times. Sri Lanka was comfortably beaten by New Zealand in the tournament opener. They also had to play out of their skins for overcoming strong Afghanistan resistance.

Bangladesh team was not in the best form of mind after their new ball bowler Al Amin was sent home on not firmly established allegations of links with bookies. Many thought that the matter was not handled at all professionally. Team really had signs of internal bleeding. The body language in the field was not the same as was seen at Canberra against Afghanistan.
Anyway first appearance of Bengal tigers attracted Bangladeshi community living in Australia. Almost 5000 Bangladeshis from everywhere came to MCG wearing Bangladesh color, festoons and banners. They were cheering, singing and dancing on the terrace at every single opportunity for cheering the tigers.

Losing the toss was the first set back on a batting wicket. The very sight of tigers walking in with green and red Bangladesh flag, the melody of national anthem,” Amar Sonar Bangla ……” made many nostalgic.

Mashrafe the inspirational leader bowled with his hearts out and could draw the first blood if Anamul could not hold on to a sitter coming from Thirimanne. If that was accepted things could be so different. Mashrafe required guidance from team think tank or any experienced Bangladeshi like Aminul Islam Bulbul who played at MCG and in Australia as to how set the field at MCG. Slips were either set deep or wide apart from the wicket keeper. Few edges dropped short or flipped through the space. Four catches were not accepted. Mushfique missed two stumping. We are not sure whether his injured fingers were hurting him.

Teenager Taskin in excitement of pace and bounce was trying to bowl fast. He lost control and was bowling too short or too wide. Dilshan and Thirimanne set up a solid foundation before Rubel picked up the only wicket that Bangladesh got. Dilshan was well set by that time. The stage was perfectly set for Sangrakara, an all-time great Lankan legend. Dilshan-Sangakkara toyed with Bangladesh bowling from the batting power play batting Bangladesh out of the game scoring 332 /1 in their allotted overs. Dilshan achieved his highest ODI score of 161. Sangakkara let off twice celebrated his 400 ODI with his quickest 100 in only 73 deliveries.

Chasing 332 in any match is a tough ask. Sometimes these are achieved but most of the times are not. Bangladesh lost its star opener Tamim (not in form for a while) on the very second ball beaten by sheer pace of Malinga the great. Judging from the team and match situation Mushfique could be ideal choice for number three instead of flamboyant Soumya. But anyway Soumya did not waste many deliveries and in 15 balls unleashed brave counter attack. His wicket again opened opportunity for Bangladesh to bring in Shakib or Mushfique two of their better accomplished batsmen. But for reasons unknown they were held back and were sent in only at number 6 and 7 .By that time the equation got tougher and steeper. Yet they tried. But after playing so well Shakib choose to play an unnecessary lofted stroke throwing away his wicket at a critical time. His fluent partnership just started creating headache for Angelo.  Young Shabbir was looking good from the beginning but the loss of Mushfique made the task of young lad very very difficult. Shabbir looked dynamic in his maiden half century .But there was none to give him able company. Bangladesh got bundled out for 240 by 47th over conceding a 92 runs defeat.
This loss has put Bangladesh task of getting beyond pool stage a bit difficult. They now need to win at least two matches out of the three against Scotland, New Zealand and England. Australia and New Zealand have booked their berth and Sri Lanka is looking good for the third spot. Bangladesh and England now have to battle out for the fourth.
What Went Wrong With Bangladesh?

The preparation of Bangladesh leading up to the crucial encounter got a blow from the unfortunate incident with pacer Al Amin. It was widely believed that Al Amin was in the team for his better skills against left handed batsmen. Two of three batsmen that hurt Sri Lanka in the match were left handers. Al Amin’s sad exit somehow hurt Bangladesh as far as the team chemistry was concerned. Was his offence serious enough to resort to such a harsh hasty action? It is gathered that ACSU did not sent any official report, neither BCB conducted any probe. We are not sure whether all BCB directors available in Australia were duly consulted .One may ask genuine question whose interest was served by taking such a harsh action before such a crucial match. Whether players agree or not this had a telling effect on their morale as the key players persuaded team think tank in not taking harsh action against this budding cricketer.

If Al-Amin’s mistake was reporting 15 minutes late to the hotel then how Manager stayed away from team hotel over night ? Why none of the BCB selectors travelled with the team? Who selects the team of the day? Who sets team strategy? Who controls batting order? Everything was flawed for the match and Bangladesh got badly beaten.
What are the Bangladesh Chances?

Can anyone tell us why two more left arm spinners were selected when they have no chance of playing? Tamim is very much unfit and must not be part of reaming matches. He cannot move in the field. Why an additional opener was not in the side? Anamul and Soumya Sarkar can open in the next match bringing in either Nasir or Arafat Sunny against Scotland. We must win big improving net run rate. Winning against New Zealand at Hamilton may not be easy. But we can take heart from the way Scotland played. Finally we must have a well thought game plan for England. Mushfique and Shakib must bat at number four and five and not below that in any match from now on. Players must move, dine together. Manager must be held responsible for any breach of discipline.

There is nothing wrong in losing to a vastly superior Sri Lankan team. We had opportunity which we could not grab. Yet at MCG we had some positives. Soumya batted courageously. Shabbir appeared a class act. Mashrafe continued his quality bowling.

Another matter was pride and glory at MCG was our legend Aminul Islam Bulbul being honored by Cricket Victoria. He carried the trophy to MCG before the match. His lovely wife and two bubbling sons were proud witness along with 5000 Bangladeshis present in the coliseum. Well done Aminul. You are already a part of Bangladesh Cricket history as first centurion of the very first test Bangladesh played. Now your name will be there in MCG and Bangladesh team’s first appearance. Nothing can hide a full moon in a clear sky.

BDST: 1448 HRS, FEB 27, 2015