DHAKA: Confident Bangladesh will start the final match of Hero Cup at Sinhalese Cricket Club ground as a strong favorite for winning its first away series against a full strength higher ranked team in ODI series.

Having won the first match at Dambulla by 90 runs, they came back strongly at the last stage of the second through a sparkling Taskin hat-trick in the last over restricting Sri Lanka to 311 on a placid wicket. Rain ruined the match. Now, there are only two possibilities left -- Bangladesh win the series or Sri Lanka level it. 

The momentum is with Bengal Tigers and they have the all-round ability for winning. Over the last 31 years, only twice in the past, there has been any ODI series in Sri Lanka where the home side has not won a series. If this happens now that will be a major historic achievement for Bangladesh.

Critics and observers must acknowledge that Bangladesh is now a very different side. Mashrafe, Shakib, Tamim, Mushfique, and Mahmudullah are among the most matured cricketers among the top players playing international cricket. They have grown through a process enduring rough rides. Top quality youngsters Mustafiz, Sabbir, Miraz, Taskin and Mosaddek have joined them making it a winning outfit. The team bats deep, it has well-balanced bowling attack and fields sharply. The team is marshaled by a never-say-die enigmatic leader Mashrafe.

Over the last couple of months, just lady luck deprived them winning matches in New Zealand and performing better in India. But, from the second test at P Sara stadium Colombo the team got back its feet and is now looking a winning combination. Many would say the best ever Bangladesh Cricket team.

If we analyze the performance of Bangladeshi bowlers in the only innings played in the second ODI, we must say on a slightly grassy flat wicket they did not perform all that bad. The balls were not gripping for the spinners. Neither Mustafiz could grip his cutters. If the edge from Mendis bat could end in Mushfique’s gloves early on, matters could be so different. The outfield was lightning fast. Taskin grabbed a brilliant hat-trick in the last over restricting Sri Lanka to 311 when 330-340 was on the card. On such a wicket, and considering the form of Bangladesh batsman, chasing 312 for a win was not impossible. But nature was the decider. The match was abandoned with not a single ball of Bangladesh innings bowled.
We are not sure whether SCC will have a similar wicket. We are also not sure whether Bangladesh team management would at all be interested in bringing any change in winning combination. But given the situation of Mashrafe hobbling a little bit, Rubel can be added to strengthen firing weapons at the expense of a late middle order batsman. Hope Rubel is in good shape. He has not played any match other than the warm-up game. Bangladeshi batsmen are all in great shape. Perhaps they can cover with less as Rubel will give additional attacking option. Fielding in the second match was not that sharp though Mahmudullah and Mushfique had two smart run outs. Off all persons, the control of Mashrafe in his first spell was exemplary.

Pressure will be on the home side. They will have no other option but to go all out. It is where they may be vulnerable to making mistakes. Mashrafe has the guiles to exploit it. Hope he would use Mahmudullah as one of his bowling options if need be.

Soumya, Mahmudullah, and Mushfique are due for long innings apart from the usual blistering form of Tamim, Shakib and Sabbir. Do not even count off a Mashrafe blitz if required with the bat. That able general hates to lose. Nothing can stop him giving his best. Do you know any international cricket risking his physical handicap for his team?

First of April is popular as “All Fools Day” in the western world. But, it may turn out to be a red-letter day in the onward march of Bangladesh Cricket for which so many persons as players, coach, organizers, writers and administrator have toiled over the years.

Bangladesh will start as the favorite at SCC for winning the Hero Cup by 2-0.

BDST: 1328 HRS, MAR 31, 2017
SR