Last afternoon we spent few hours at Federation Square, Melbourne and MCG having chats with friends coming from all over the world for the Real Madrid Vs Manchester City football match.  We discussed mostly football and what this triangular festival type soccer involving Real-Roma-Man City brought for Australian football future? Yesterday MCG record crowd of more than 99,000 jam-packed the stadium.

We also discussed cricket and brilliant achievements of Bangladesh Cricket. While at Federation Square we proudly remembered of the afternoon on the day before Bangladesh-India World Cup Quarter final match.  We had similar gathering that day in the same place.

While gossiping with my friends over lunch and coffee we kept an eye on cricket test between South Africa and Bangladesh in Chittagong. Persistent rain confined players mostly in the hotel. Athar Ali Khan sent me a photograph showing gloomy stadium condition. Not a single ball was possible on day four. If rain did not interfere, it could be a fascinating contest. The match was delicately poised at stumps on day three.

We were discussing what can happen if suddenly rain divorces its sweet partner cricket for the fifth day?  The question was asked at Federation Square, outside MCG while talking with several media persons and while getting back home as cold, severe head ache and fever forced me leaving MCG at around 7PM an hour before the match. I had a glimpse of Manchester City Players entering the ground by then and had talks with few English and Australian journalists.

If three session of match is possible on the last day, we believed that there would be very little possibility of a win/loss. The match will head almost certainly for a draw. Whether it may turn as win-win for both side is anybody’s guess. One side will definitely feel an opportunity lost and we know which side.
The wicket remained covered for such a long time that it must have sweated. If sun appears and wicket starts drying, Shakib and Taijul may become dangerous customers to deal with. We feel Mustafiz, Shahid and Jubair may also create few problems. The only team, which can press for a win from here on, is Bangladesh.

We checked weather forecast of Chittagong for the day five. More rain is predicted. My friends from Dhaka have informed that it has been raining incessantly. But some friends in Chittagong also confirmed that if there is no rain from an hour before the match and during the match a full day play is still possible. The ground has excellent drainage facilities and grounds men are very smart in drying outfield very quickly. We can only keep our fingers crossed.

But if the match does not resume at all and is abandoned Bangladesh still can pride on its performance. It for first time in its cricket history it dominated the proceeding against the number one test playing country South Africa. There were no signs of panic, no nerves from the home team though it was a contest between first and ninth team of the ten members test family.

Bangladesh lost all eight matches that these two teams played earlier and seven of these were by an innings margin. The only other match where Bangladesh managed taking first innings lead was also by 5 wickets. This Bangladesh team is overturning past records and is writing new scripts every day in every match.
 
On the first day of this test, a great disciplined and well planned team bowling performance witnessed strong South African batting capitulated to 248 all out after being 136/1 at one stage. Two teenagers Mustafiz and Jubair triggered panic in protean camp. Shahid bowled very accurately. Shakib, Taijul and Mahmudullh did their bit. The fielding even was top class.

On the second day the match was rain affected after tea. But whatever was played, Bangladesh batted resolutely against probing South African attack having three of the leading fast bowlers of world cricket. Tamim, and Mahmudullah laid a solid foundation with determined batting. Kayes also played a brief innings. The only failure was Mr consistent Mominul. When stumps were drawn, Bangladesh was at the safe hands of two of its most trusted batsmen Mushfiqur and Shakib at 179/4 still by 69 runs. Amla left nothing unturned to trigger collapse. Steyn, Philander and Morkel toiled entire day. Steyn and Morkel remained wicket less. Philander got Mahmudullah. Off all bowlers, the innocuous bowling of South African opening batsmen Elgar and Zyl accounted for Kayes and Tamim. Mominul fell to spinner Hammer.

On third morning, Steyn removed Mushfiqur early. In the past on similar circumstances, Bangladesh used to panic. Amla also started pressing on. New Ball was taken after only one over of its due. New boy Liton joined maestro Shakib. How courageously the pair soaked all pressure. Shakib has worldwide experience but one must credit the gutsy batting of Liton Das playing only his second test. The partnership of 82 secured Bangladesh position in the test.

Unfortunately, Shakib lost patience for a while against Hammer and lost his prized wicket. After his departure, Shahid usually not known for his batting skills played a cameo adding 25 very quick runs. 18 of his 25 came in one over (3X4 + 1X6) of Hammer.

 Liton went on scoring his first test 50 in his second test and through that entered the record book as the youngest wicket keeper scoring a half century against south Africa. He played few crisp drives through the covers which were treat to watch. In his only other test  innings he also scored 44. He keeps well as well. Another long innings of Bangladeshi wicket keeper batsman has been launched.

New Ball in the hands of Dale Steyn and Philander is too hot to handle for tail enders. Bangladesh innings was wrapped up soon at 326 gaining a valuable 78 runs lead. This was the highest that Bangladesh scored in an innings against South Africa in its ninth test and got the largest lead.

In whatever time match was possible Bangladeshi bowlers could beat the bat of openers creating few half chances. But otherwise Deal Elgar and San Van Zyl applied and were uneaten scoring 61 together. The balance was restored and match became even Steven as stumps were drawn early for bad light.

The fourth day stadium was drenched with rain forcing players stay put in hotel. We heard dale Steyn played soccer with kids near the hotel.

It is inconceivable that 20 wickets will fall in three sessions left in the match unless both side plan-committing suicide. With more rains forecasted, the play may not even resume. But if rain stays away the only team which can press for a win at the present stage is Bangladesh. The wicket will definitely have moisture remaining covered for a long time. If sun appears making the wicket dry progressively Shakib and Taijul may turn monster.

If Bangladesh can even make South Africa all out one hour after lunch, restricting them to a lead of around 200 the match may still witness a fascinating finish and a possible Bangladesh win.

Bangladeshi fans can keep dreaming. But all dreams do not come true .Even if the test gets get abandoned Bangladesh can reflect upon its achievements with pride. They were the team, which dominated the top of the pack over the three days. They can go to Dhaka test with heads high.

BDST: 0834 HRS, JULY 25, 2015
RS