DT e-Paper 15 March 2017

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DT 18 Sports WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15, 2017 Mushfiq: Big moment for me as captain • Ali Shahriyar Amin from Colombo Bangladesh Test captain Mushfiqur Rahim expressed delight at being able to take part in their historic 100th Test match, beginning today at Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu Stadium, Colombo Oval. “This is a historic moment for Bangladesh cricket, and a big moment for me as captain. I was studying in Class 7 at BKSP when we played our inaugural Test match, in 2000. Of course I have memories of that game. From that point, the dream of playing Tests began to grow,” Mushfiq told the media in the prematch press conference yesterday. “We may not have achieved much in the last 16 years, but to be honest, we have progressed and improved in the last two and a half years. We don’t get to play a lot of Tests each year; sometimes we go through months of break. “We are hoping that this year will be better for us, despite not starting well,” he said. The diminutive wicketkeeper-batsman admitted that Bangladesh have to perform a lot better to in order to bounce back in Colombo and square the series. “We couldn’t even play to half of our ability in Galle, which was very disappointing. We have to try to get the result in our favour in Colombo. We have to take every chance that comes our way. We weren’t sticking to the basics, so we must improve on those things. We will give our best in the next game. Our main target will be to play consistently,” explained Mushfiq. Bangladesh played three pacers in the Galle Test but a final decision on the second Test playing XI will only be taken today, hours before the game. “I have played at P Sara just once, but I have seen matches here. Wicket looks pretty good. Here, traditionally there is something for the quicks early on, but after that, there will probably be plenty of help for the spinners also. The wicket looks pretty dry as well so hopefully the spinners will come into play,” said Mushfiq. “Still, we have spinners and quicks in our squad, so whatever we decide I think we need to bowl in the right areas more often than not. Then the results will come. We are looking forward to it. [Today] morning we will come and decide who will play in the best XI. I think this is a sporting wicket, so we will pick the XI we feel will bring a win for Bangladesh,” he said. Mushfiq added, “I have only played 53 Tests in 10 years, although someone like Alastair Cook has played more than 100 Tests. This is why it has been hard to improve Bangladesh cricket. When we go out to play a Test after six months, we see five or six players from the previous game are no longer around. “Tests require a combination of skill and mentality, so everyone takes a bit of time to adjust to the format. If we get years like 2017 a few more times, we can certainly become a better side. We have to start this Test well, and bring the result on our side.” • Bangladesh’s Kamrul Islam Rabbi delivers a ball during training at P Sara Oval in Colombo yesterday Bangladesh up against daunting task in 100th Test match Mushfiq to keep wickets instead of injured Liton • Ali Shahriyar Amin from Colombo Bangladesh are determined to bounce back in their historic 100th Test match when they play host Sri Lanka in the second and final five-dayer at Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu Stadium, Colombo Oval, starting today. It will be a daunting task for the Tigers to level the series as probable changes in numerous positions in the starting XI would likely make their job difficult against a spirited Lankan side. Liton Kumar Das, who kept wickets for Bangladesh in the Galle Test, was hit on the chest by a bouncer during a practice session last Monday. After receiving the x-ray report, it was learnt that he will be out for the second Test. In his place, Test captain Mushfiqur Rahim will don the gloves. In that case, Mushfiq is likely to bat at No 5. Mushfiq has been outstanding with the bat as he has scored 441 runs at an average of 88.20 this year. Reshuffling the middle-order means the captain will have to play a big role. Mahmudullah has been dropped for the Colombo Test so changes are likely in the middle-order. Sabbir Rahman or Mosaddek Hossain will replace Mahmudullah. No 3 batsman Mominul Haque could also be dropped from the starting XI with Imrul Kayes a likely replacement for the Cox's Bazar cricketer. Mominul has come under the line of fire after scoring two half centuries in his last 10 Test innings at an average of 23.20. Bangladesh played three pacers in the last Test but it is unlikely to happen in the second Test. Right-arm paceman Subashish Roy could be replaced by left-arm spinner Taijul Islam. AFP However, a final decision regarding this issue will only be taken hours before the match. Subashish picked up one wicket in the first innings and went wicket-less in the second essay, finishing with match figures of one for 137 runs. Before the series, critics predicted that the relatively inexperienced Lankan side, missing regular captain Angelo Mathews to injury, will face tough times against the comparatively experienced Bangladesh. However, Sri Lanka thoroughly outplayed Bangladesh in the Galle Test. History is also against Bangladesh as they have lost 15 times in 17 matches with the other two matches ending in a draw. Bangladesh have played three times at P Sara Oval and conceded innings defeats in all of them. The last time they played here was back in 2007 where they were bowled out for 62 in the first innings. Mushfiq played that Test as a wicketkeeper-batsman. History suggests that the P Sara Oval pitch generally offers good pace and bounce for the fast bowlers in the first few sessions. But as the game progresses, just like the other sub-continent wickets, the cracks of the pitch will open up and assist the spinners. Weather might play an important role in the eventual outcome as it drizzled yesterday in the afternoon and evening. It was still raining later in the evening when this report was filed and according to forecasts, it will rain today and tomorrow as well. A short programme has been arranged to mark Bangladesh's historic Test. BCB president Nazmul Hasan has already arrived in Sri Lanka, along with other board officials. BCB will give special blazers to the cricketers during the occasion. SLC will also provide medals to the players. •
Sports 19 DT WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15, 2017 Mahmudullah staying back for ODIs • Ali Shahriyar Amin from Colombo WHAT HERATH SAID Bangladesh all-rounder Mahmudullah will stay back with the team in Sri Lanka, despite being dropped from the second and final Test match, starting today at Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu Stadium, Colombo Oval. He was earlier selected in the squad for the upcoming threematch ODI series. Bangladesh team manager Khaled Mahmud informed the media last Monday that Mahmudullah will not be part of the Colombo Test. As a result, he would fly back home. However, the decision regarding Mahmudullah’s return to Bangladesh was later overturned and Test captain Mushfiqur Rahim confirmed that the experienced all-rounder will be staying in the island nation for the ODIs. “He (Mahmudullah) is not playing the second Test. But since he is in the ODI squad, he will stay with the team. It can happen to any cricketer that he might fall into a bad patch. It won’t have much of an impact in the team but he is a senior cricketer so you feel bad. But we are 1-0 down, so whoever plays, has to focus on making it 1-1,” Mushfiq told the media yesterday in the prematch press conference. • Aminul: I feel for Mahmudullah • Minhaz Uddin Khan Former Bangladesh captain Aminul Islam Bulbul said he feels sorry for all-rounder Mahmudullah over the handling of his exclusion from the side for the second and final Test match against Sri Lanka, starting today. “If we are removing Mahmudullah because of his performance, I would say there are many other cricketers in the team who should get axed. Test match is for the experienced players, especially when you are playing against a team like Sri Lanka at their home. And even if we have to drop Mahmudullah from the XI, I don't see a reason behind sending him back home,” said Aminul to Dhaka Tribune during an interview yesterday. “This is not an ICC tournament that he cannot be carried by the team. Even a few months back, the team had moved with 22 players so why should there even be a discussion of sending Mahmudullah back home? There is no question of lack of professionalism with Mahmudullah. He is not only an ideal cricketer for Bangladesh but for any team. He is a gentleman and a true team mate,” said Aminul, who is now a cricket development officer with the ICC. According to Aminul, incident like this create panic in the team, “And that affects the team result. These incidents break the side apart and create grouping because surviving in the team becomes important. This is really sad and I am sorry for Mahmudullah.” • Bangladesh’s Tamim Iqbal hits a shot during a practice session yesterday Abahani begin AFC cup with defeat • Shishir Hoque Host Abahani Limited began their 2017 AFC Cup campaign with a 2-0 defeat against Maldives champion Maziya Sports and Recreation Club in a Group E encounter at Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday evening. The Bangladesh Premier Football League champion enjoyed better ball possession throughout the game, especially in the second half, but lack of creativity in the attacking half and solid defending by the visiting side meant the home team failed to break the deadlock. After conceding an early goal, the Sky Blues fought hard but their attackers were anything but prolific while the absence of key players like Andrew Lee Tuck and Sunday Chizoba was also felt badly. Abahani's Serbia-born Croatian coach Drago Mamic was satisfied with the performance but said his defenders could have done better with the goals. With five minutes into the clock, Abahani conceded an early goal which could have been prevented if goalkeeper Shahidul Alam Sohel and the defenders were a bit more cautious. Receiving a pass from Abdulla Asadullah, Imaaz Ahmed delivered a brilliant through pass for Umair, who collected the ball nicely inside AFP the right side of the box before slotting home calmly into the far post. Mamic planned his formation with five defenders, including three center-backs. Mamun Miah was supposed to lead the defence line but he was more busy playing on the right wing rather than shepherding the defence. He was Action from the 2017 AFC Cup game between Abahani and Maziya SRC at Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday MD MANIK I am so happy the way guys played the first Test. Everybody contributed well. The confidence level is high. So I am sure the guys will play with the same level of mindset in the second Test as well. But the first game is finished. Now we are ready for the second one. This is a new game. We have to start from zero. The pitch is pretty similar to Galle. We know there is bounce for the fast bowlers in the first twothree days, though I’m not sure if this wicket will live up to that. I’ve played here a lot, and my experience is that towards the fourth and fifth days, it will take some spin as well. We have not decided anything on team selection. We have a team meeting in the evening and there we will decide the team. I wish to congratulate Bangladesh for their 100th Test. But from our point of view, it's just another Test match. We will be focused (on) winning the match, just like the last match. ALI SHAHRIYAR AMIN FROM GALLE later replaced by striker Nabib Newaj Jibon at the break. Ziban's inclusion didn't have much impact but it did give more ball possession to the home side against the organised touring side, who always had half of the players in their own territory, thus providing little space to the opponent. It was especially tough for the Abahani forwards to meet crosses against the tall Maziya defenders. Maziya doubled the lead three minutes before the end of stipulated time. Asadullah snatched the ball from Rayhan Hasan's feet and broke into the penalty area before his left-footer hit the back of the net. Rayhan and Yeasin Khan could have done better to stop Ali Ashadh's pass to Asadullah. Maziya head coach Marjan Sekulovski gave credit to his charges, saying their mission in the AFC Cup is going in the right direction. He was also full of praise for his defence. Mamic, on the other hand, felt his defence cost them the game. •
Page 1 and 2: SECOND EDITION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15,
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