Story Coming Of Age - A Bangladesh Story [ICC 2006]

[treva]

Wow, Rain could be on the cards if there was lots of clouds last night?

Great batting by Rafique. They must do more of the same in the first 2 sessions and try and only lose 1 wicket in each...

 

[cric_craze]

hope it rains all day tommrow lol

 

[surendar]

Yeah, except rain, noone can save Bangladesh at the moment Some positives from Rafique though!

 

[Griffo]

Day 5 Session 1

The day started 45 minutes late due to overnight rain but Mohammed Rafique continued where he left off the day previous hitting 2 consecutive fours off his first 2 balls to bring up his half century, a feat not achieved by any other Bangladeshi batsmen this test.

Just a few overs later they brought up the 100 partnerships and the record partnership for Bangladesh against all countries this gave the Tigers a tiny bit of hope towards drawing the test and bringing up the first Bangladesh 100 partnership this test.

But just 3 balls later Mohammed Rafique fell for 75 clean bowled by Brett Lee but he had brought resistance the only way he could by attacking and he lasted 116 balls.

Abdur Razzak walked to the crease a player with some ability with the bat with Bangladesh needing their 3 remaining wickets to last them an entire day if they were to draw the test match but Jason Gillespie had other plans, clean bowling Abdur Razzak

Mashrafe Mortaza joined Mushfiqur Rahim who has been in now for 154 balls scoring just 38 but he is doing the job that is required by Bangladesh. Next over Australia have taken the new ball and are looking to finish things quickly and soon enough Glenn McGrath makes the break through getting Mushfiqur Rahim for 41 off a mammoth 164 balls.

Syed Rasel comes in at number 11 and Bangladesh are all but gone but even though all was lost Mashrafe Mortaza continued to hit boundaries but that brought about his undoing hitting one straight to square leg. Bangladesh finish 267 all out with Mohammed Rafique top scoring with 75

Australia has won the test by 340 runs, thank you for staying with us and we will see you for the second test. Can Bangladesh fight back? Join us to find out. We remind your to vote for the Grameenphone Man of the Match, vote for who you thought was the best player for Bangladesh over the entire test, goodnight.

Batting

Bowling

Australia win by 340 runs​

 

[kookaburra69]

Huge win there to Australia,hope Bangladesh can bounce back in the next game.
Keep up the great pres mate

 

[treva]

267, very good total in the end. That will give them much confidence going into the 2nd test

 

[cric_craze]

good fightback from Bangladesh but too bad they still lost anyways hope they better in second test and great pres

 

[cnbd_novice]

Good attempt from Bangla to make a comeback, but it was too little too late.
Let's see what they will display in the second test.

 

[surendar]

Thats a expected result.. Hope Bangla sit down now and work on their mistakes and fight back well in next game

 

[Griffo]

Interview with Mohammed Rafique

Interviewer: I?m here with Bangladeshi spinne... well I guess you could now say all-rounder Mohammed Rafique thank you for giving up your time.

Rafique: No problem, glad to know that the public wanted to hear from me.

Interviewer: Now after the a match where you stood out from your teammates do you worry about the younger generation of players coming through?

Rafique: I think our future is brighter than ever its just that against the best side in the world any minor flaw is shown up and its up to everyone to not let them have that opportunity.

Interviewer: You?re the only player who looked to take on the Australians with either bat or ball, what is everyone else lacking?

Rafique: You must always back your ability, I only have a few shots in my book but I waited until I had the opportunity to play them. I guess that shows that patience is also important

Interviewer: A player who showed patience was young wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim, your partner in that massive stand that stopped the Aussies in their tracks.

Rafique: I don?t feel that I? or we could have done as well if it wasn?t for Mush, for a young man he is very wise and determined.

Interviewer: Your not getting any younger?

Rafique: What gave that away?

Interviewer: Hahaha? let me finish, when do you see yourself retiring?

Rafique: This is not a question I like facing because with such a bright future im disappointed that I?m not going to be apart of it. If my body is up to it I?ll continue to the world cup but I?ll make that decision at the end of the current international season, not now.

Interviewer: Even when you depart the spinners below you will be more than capable replacements, who do you see as the stand outs?

Rafique: They all bring something to the table but I feel that Abdur Razzak is coming along nicely and he is currently working on a doosra, also Ahsanullah Hasan and the 17 year old Suhrawadi Shuvo are names for the future.

Interviewer: The bowlers did well in the 1st Test containing the high-powered Australia batsmen but the batsmen couldn?t back up their performance, what?s needed from them?

Rafique: We are currently playing Australia and we have India next, both teams are quite capable of dismantling the best teams for a low score so I think we just need everyone to follow Mushfiqur?s lead and play patiently.

Interviewer: A lot of fans were disappointed that Shariar Nafees was selected as vice-captain and not Mohammed Ashraful, any thoughts?

Rafique: I thought it was a good decision because Shariar Nafees has had experience captaining many sides in the past such as the Under 19?s and I see him as a key batsmen for the future of Bangladesh cricket

Interviewer: Thank you for your time and good luck in the 2nd test? sorry for calling you old.

Rafique: Hahaha its fine, I had a good time don?t be afraid to ask me back again.

Interviewer: We will interview another player sometime during the one day series and we hope you will all vote for your favourite player? but it cant be Mohammed Rafique again? he?s too old.

Rafique: Hahahahahaha.

Interviewer: I hope you enjoyed the interview and remember to give us your questions.

 

[Griffo]

2nd Test Preview

Australia dominated the 1st Test leaving the Bangladeshi batsmen speechless after destroying them in both innings. Shane Warne will get some confidence out of the pitch with a lot of spin expected from the first day. The Australians head into the game with the same squad and are not expected to make any changes

Bangladesh only had a few positives out of the first test but if they are to stand a chance their batsmen will have to step up and not have to rely on the tail as they did in the previous test. Their bowling looks strong enough to get 20 wickets but they wont get that opportunity if they have to follow on. Like Australia they have maintained the same squad but the 17 year old opening batsmen Tamim Iqbal will be under pressure from Javed Omar to retain his spot. ?If we drop Tamim based on his results so far it will prove that Bangladesh cricket has not moved as far forward as everyone claims it has? said former captain Minhajul Abedin

Australia will head into the match as overwhelming favorites but if Bangladesh can score some runs anything might happen. ?We are taking a few positives from the first test and we hope to expand on them? said Bangladeshi coach Dav Whatmore ?We have a young side and they are playing the best team, not much is expected from us but I think we might turn a few heads next game?. The second test begins on the 16th of April.

Australian 12-Man Squad
Ricky Ponting (c), Adam Gilchrist (vc), Andrew Bichel, Brett Lee, Glenn McGrath, Jason Gillespie, Justin Langer, Matthew Hayden, Michael Hussey, Phil Jaques, Shane Warne, Shane Watson

Bangladesh 12-Man Squad
Habibul Bashar (c), Shahriar Nafees (vc), Abdur Razzak, Aftab Ahmed, Javed Omar, Mashrafe Mortaza, Mohammed Ashraful, Mohammed Rafique, Mushfiqur Rahim, Saqibul Hasan, Syed Rasel, Tamim Iqbal

 

[kookaburra69]

Looking forward to the second test!!

 

[cnbd_novice]

Only two specialist pacers? hmm...... Anyway good luck with the second test Griffo, hope the tigers can fight back.

 

[Griffo]

2nd Test Match (16th of April 2006)

Pre-Match

After the 1st Test was dominated by Australia the Tigers will be looking to build on their few positives coming from the match

The weather couldn?t be better for the Bangladeshi?s with sun expected throughout the five days and the pitch will turn. This means a lot could be read into the toss with Shane Warne certain to play a major part in this game The outfield is extremely fast so the team batting first has a much better chance to win the game. We go out to the pitch where the two captains are waiting.

Interviewer: Ricky Ponting to call it.

Ponting: Heads.

Interviewer: Ponting calls heads and it?s a tails, Habibul what do you want to do?

Bashar: Today we will bat and look to make some runs.

Interviewer: Your batsmen have struggled of late, why did you choose to bat?

Bashar: With the pitch being so terrific for the spinners, we wanted to give Abdur Razzak and Mohammed Rafique a chance to bowl in the last innings also so Shane Warne doesn?t get that opportunity.

Interviewer: Any changes to the team?

Bashar: No change, Javed Omar is 12th man once again.

Interviewer: Thanks Habibul, now Ricky a good win last match but bowling first this time any thoughts?

Ponting: I think Warnie will get a lot of turn on this pitch from his first ball but with the form of all our players we are feeling quite confident.

Interviewer: Any changes?

Ponting: Yes, Andy Bichel will be carrying towels instead of drinks.

Interviewer: Hahaha thanks Ricky, the news down here is that Australia has lost the toss and Bangladesh will be batting first on a turning pitch.

 

[treva]

Now that's a good toss to win. Shane Warne won't bowl last on this wicket and the pitch sounds like a belter first up. Your 3 spinners will also get to bowl on a dusty wicket in the 2nd innings and I have a feeling the Bangladeshi's may win this one