DHAKA: For many positives Bengal Tigers are now better placed for winning in the series decider third ODI in Chittagong on Wednesday.

Very commanding performance with the bat and ball in the second ODI has regenerated energy and vigor in the side. Top order batting clicked. Most reliable Mahmudullah is back again with his stabilizing impact. Rubel looked fast and furious. Mustafiz kept making South African batsmen pushing a prodding. The team is free from anxieties of champions’ trophy qualification and last but not the least Chittagong is the favorite hunting ground of team tigers.

It is the first time ever Bangladesh Cricket team is poised to win a bilateral series against mighty South Africans.  The win in second ODI was the first ever Bangladesh won against South Africa in Bangladesh. The only other win was in West Indies in 2007 World Cup.

Can one recollect any ODI which Bangladesh won where Tamim and Sakib did not make any contribution with the bat, Mushfiqur did not require batting. This team, when on tune, looks lethal, looks unbeatable. Berhadien rightly said in press meet that Bangladesh is now a very dangerous opponent against any team. Mashrafe has given his squad a new lease of life, strong self-belief.

Look at Nasir. His spirit was at his lowest level when he was discarded for a well. How different he is now in all departments. How the teenager genius is continuing in his magical bowling role? How sweetly Soumya is batting? Never before in the past the team could turn around 180-degree after losing three matches on the trot and that too against a very strong opposition. Inspirational leader Mashrafe deserves lots of credit.

He plays with impacts of seven knee surgeries. Even one or two have made many international cricketers say good bye to cricket. He runs with full steam, dives full length to take spectacular catches and runs like a cheetah to embrace his charge whenever one gets a wicket or takes a catch.

How brilliantly he has changed the team chemistry? Everyone puts the best efforts, everyone is keen to success. Mashrafe sets the right fielding, makes the right bowling change. Such a brilliant run of success had never come for Bangladesh cricket before. Captain courageous had made Bangladesh cricket team rocking.

This writer had medical checkup on Monday (July 13). Several pathological tests in medical center, ECG, Stress echo. Everywhere I went every single Australian were full praise of Bangladesh cricket team. The doctors found my heart, lung and blood all right as I eat, drink and dream Bangladesh Cricket. Success makes be breadth freely.

But at the same Bangladesh cannot afford to relax. South Africans will come back very strongly. They are fierce competitors. Great that Bangladesh is playing as a team. It no longer relies on two/three established stars. The new boys are playing fearless brand of cricket. There are no signs of nerves. Teenager Rabada with a record setting 6/16 debut with a hat-trick destroyed Bangladesh batting in the first match. He again threatened with an opening burst of two early wickets. But young Soumya did not sit back. He superbly counter-attacked finding his reliable partner solid Mahmudullah at the other end. His winning stroke, a massive over boundary, sounded like roaring royal Bengal. Remember England’s test star Nasir Hossain after Adelaide World Cup match said “Bengal Tigers kicked English Lions out of World Cup.” Bengal Tigers preyed African Lions with vengeance at Mirpur on Sunday.

Media wanted to get the word “Choker” out of Mashrafe. How smartly he said, with such words I do not want to embrace a team, embrace a nation.” Great Nelson Mandela would have appreciated if he was alive and heard this. Mashrafe is not only a great cricketer, an exceptional human being, a great ambassador of goodwill.

The only worry of the team is another bad patch of Tamim. His blazing blade is not talking. A characteristic Tamim innings is round the corner. Chittagong is his home and lucky ground. It is a very critical situation for the team and Tamim. Another failure with the bat before the test may not be great for his moral. Tamim is still an indispensable batsman in test. If he is given rest to recover his composure, that may also hurt him.  There is a golden rule that “Never Change a winning combination”.

Many including this writer thought of giving him a break. But thinking it may impact on his morale before the test would suggest keeping faith and patience with Tamim. Let him play a holding game and let Sizzling Soumya play his normal game. Mahmudullah is back in his true element. This will give Shakib, Mushfiqur, Sabbir and Nasir play more aggressively.

South Africa is expected to replace Chris Morris with Morne Morkel. They may bowl more aggressively and attack all the way. Bangladesh should keep playing in the same aggressive vein. We did not find much swing or movement in Rabada’s bowling. It is fast wicket to wicket stuff and some full deliveries. Nasir rightly mentioned after first ODI that Rabada is not that impossible bowler to deal with ever after his record breaking debut.

The bowling team now looks perfect though Taskin’s presence could give more depth and diversity. Bangladesh can afford to prescribe sporting wicket. Bowling is more diverse and is of competitive quality. Batsmen had recovered confidence. Even fielding is looking very sharp and agile. We do not think South Africans batted at all confidently against Mustafiz. His cutters and variations confuse to bamboozle the protean batsmen. Addition of fast and furious Rubel has given additional edge. Flamboyant Nasir has turned into a quality off-spinner, a regular wicket taker. Shakib is creating all the pressure bottling down the batsmen at one end. Mashrafe is also bowling intelligently.

Though, a few people would have suggested giving Anamul an opportunity. But we suggest playing the winning combination. Mashrafe-led Bangladesh now days play to win all matches. Tigers have distinct edge over Lions. Bangladesh is favorite for yet another ODI series win.

BDST: 1608 HRS, JULY 14, 2015
SR/SMS