…Poormen’s Ashes…

Poormen’s Ashes.

….Saleque Sufi….

We show Ashes is traditional epic battle between England and Australia. Australia and West Indies play for Sir Frank Worrell Trophy, India -Australia plays for Border Gavskar Trophy. What can we call the dogfight of two bottom dogs of World Cricket?

Two of the ICC bottom ranked teams Zimbabwe and Bangladesh will soon clash on  a do or die battle in what many considers as the “Poormen’s Ashes” in world cricket .In test Zimbabwe is marginally ahead of Bangladesh and ODI they are behind by not that much. The ensuing very critical three test matches and 5 ODI matches series is crucial for both the teams to consolidate the position in ICC ranking as the 10^th ranked team by end 2017 will have to appear in intercontinental cup with ICC associate countries for qualifying in ICC world cup.

Bangladesh holds the home advantage. But on the basis of recent forms of the teams in different formats of cricket there can be hardly anything to choose between the sides. Bengal tigers are going through a very lean patch having won only against Afghanistan and Nepal in T20 world cup at Dhaka only in the last 10 months. They have lost miserably against oppositions in Tests ,ODIs and T20 internationals over this period .Zimbabwe has come fresh from a very satisfying triangular ODI tournament at home .They beat strong Australia in one ODI and competed brilliantly against strong South Africa. Zimbabwe had also won the test series they played last at home against Bangladesh.But at Bangladesh wickets with a host of quality spin bowlers Bangladesh starts as favorites though marginally.

Bangladesh has already announced a 14 member squad for the tests, the first of which starts at Sher-e –Bangla National Stadium Meerpoor on 25 October

Squad: Mushfiqur Rahim (c), Tamim Iqbal, Shakib Al Hasan, Shamsur Rahman, Mominul Haque, Rubel Hossain, Shuvagata Hom, Mahmudullah ,Shafiul Islam, Jubair Hossain, Shahadat Hossain, Marshall Ayub, Al-Amin Hossain and Taijul Islam.

Before analyzing the team let me quote few of the recent Cricinfo features headline on Bangladesh Cricket covering the Zimbabwe A team Matches against Bangladesh A .

Saqlain Sajib Wrecks Zimabwe A (September 14, 2014)

Saqlain Sajib five routs Zimbabwe A (September 15, 2014)

Saqlain Sajib six for takes Bangladesh A Close to Win (September 16, 2014)

Why Cricinfo had to write this?

Saqlain’s Bowling Figures

1/22 & 5/75  : Bangladesh A vs Zimbabwe A Match at Fatullah Stadium 22 September 2014

9/82 & 6/50 :Bangladesh A vs Zimbabwe A Match at Cox’s Bazar Stadium, September 14 ,2014

In 54 first class matches Saqlain has taken 250 Wickets of which in 43 Listed A matches only he took 55 scalps.

We want to ask BCB Farukh Ahmed, Habibul Bashar and Minhazul Abedin why after such a sterling performance Saqlain Sajib could not be included in the team. Is he injured? Has he got any disciplinary problem?  A left arm orthodox spinner getting 21 wickets against Zimabwe A team must have enough in him to deliver at the highest level. BCB selection committee owes an explanation for not considering him in the squad. We admire the courage and far sight in picking a rookie leg spinner Jubair Hossain. But at the same time we cannot understand what more a player has to perform to earn a call in the national team. With Sahadat Hussain , Al Amin and Rubel Hossain in the team and wicket not definitely will be suiting pacers Bangladesh must have included Saqlain Sajib. We would even go to the extent of including him before Taijul based on his recent performance. Saquib, Saqlain, Jubair, Mahmudullah could combine to make life miserable for the Zimbabwean batsmen if wicket has any purchase for the spinners. But that will not happen and if anything goes wrong Farukh and co will have to take the blame

This will be the longest series Bangladesh will be involved. If Bangladesh can beat Zimabwe comprehensively meaning 3-0 in tests that will make them overtake Zimbabwe in test ranking and will also close the gap with West Indies. Even a 2-0 or 2-1 will be enough .But if for any reason Bangladesh loose that will sink Bangladesh further and crisis will deepen.

Going by the forms of teams one must not dismiss the Zimbabweans by their struggle against BCB XI . This team has come well prepared knowing about Bangladesh strategy of exposing them to slow turning tracks and left arm spinners.  Bangladesh batsmen are not also in good form. They failed to handle both pacers and spinners during West Indies tour. Moreover series of losses have created sort of mental blockade for the team. Return of star all-rounder Sakib will strengthen the batting and give more options of playing additional bowler. But senior professionals like Tamim, Sakib, Mushfique and Mahmudullah have to shoulder greater responsibilities while batting. Not only quick fire 50 or 60 at least one batsman has to score big hundred and bat more than three sessions. If Bangladesh cannot score consistently at least 350 plus every time they bat or bat at least five sessions they cannot win test matches against any team.

Recently bowling coach Heath Streak stated of satisfaction about fitness of Shahadat Hossain and quality of bowling of Shafiul. Al Amin is not yet sure whether he will survive the bowling action check. Rubel is there also to deliver .Whatever be the combination of the pace attack it must deliver and bring break through with new ball and get wickets through reverse swing with old ball. That will make the task of Sakib and others easier in attacking the Zimbabwean batsmen.

We hope Bangladesh think tank has done required homework against key batsmen of the Zimababwe.Our bowlers must not bowl to their strength and our fielders must accept most of the catches offered. There will be no point of being defensive at all. Bangladesh must keep attacking and show mental toughness all the way. It is a very important challenge which Bangladesh cannot afford to lose.