Bangladesh captain says my worst day

Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan said his team's nine-wicket rout by the West Indies on Friday was the "worst day" of his career, but insisted his side's World Cup campaign was not over.

"We did not play well at all," said Shakib after Bangladesh were shot out for their lowest one-day total of 58 in just 18.5 overs, with the West Indies cantering home in the 13th over of their innings.

"I did not expect that we would play so badly. This has to be the worst day of my career."

A sell-out crowd of 25,000 packed into the Sher-e-Bangla stadium saw the day-night match come to an end even before the lights came on, jeering the home team and throwing paper placards on the field to show their disgust.

"I am not surprised they were angry, they have every right to be," said Shakib.

"They expect a lot from us because we have done well over the past few years. But I did not think we were capable of such a defeat.

"Our fans expect us to win games against good teams, especially at home. We just did not play good cricket at all. Nothing went right other than winning the toss."

Bangladesh's score was well short of their previous low of 74 against Australia in Darwin in 2008 and was also the fourth lowest total in World Cup history.

The World Cup co-hosts, with one win from three games in Group B, were left with a mountain to climb to stay in contention for the quarter-finals.

They face England, South Africa and the Netherlands in their remaining group matches.

But Shakib said Bangladesh were not yet out of the race.

"It is definitely possible to come back," he said. "If you win two out of three matches, we may still qualify. I know it will be hard to come back after losing this game.

"But the boys know they are capable of coming back strongly. They have done it before, so why not this time?"

Bangladesh city plans to switch T20 league to Sharjah

Mon, Aug 31 11:43 AM

A Bangladesh franchise Twenty20 league plans to shift next year's edition to Sharjah as venues in the country would be under renovation for the 2011 World Cup, officials said on Monday.

The Chittagong Divisional Sports Association, based in the country's second biggest city, attracted huge sponsorship support after launching the event last year on the lines of the lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL).

"We have had preliminary discussion with the Sharjah cricket authority already. A three-member delegation will visit Sharjah later this week for further discussion," A.J.M. Nasiruddin, chairman of the tournament organising committee, said.

The organisers signed a one-year deal worth $170,000 with a private channel ATN Bangla on Sunday to broadcast the matches.

"We have some other local sponsors. So money will not be a big issue for us," Nasiruddin said.

Sri Lankan cricketers Jehan Mubarak and Chamara Kapugedara were among those who featured in the inaugural edition of the Port-city Cricket League (PCL) in April.

The eight-team league is officially sanctioned by the Bangladesh cricket board. Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka will jointly host of the one-day World Cup in 2011.

Lanka thrash Bangla by 131 runs Lahore,

Lanka thrash Bangla by 131 runs Lahore,

June 25 (Agencies): Chasing a huge Sri Lankan total of 357, Bangladesh could manage only 226 for seven in their alloted overs to suffer a 131-run defeat. Mohammad Ashraful was left to rue his decision at the toss - on the sort of pitch where they had piled 300-plus the previous day, Bangladesh decided to field first and paid a heavy price as Sri Lanka, fired by some superb top-order batting by Kumar Sangakkara and Sanath Jayasuriya, piled a massive target before inflicting a heavy defeat. Chasing an insurmountable target, Bangladesh never seemed like waging a battle although a fourth-wicket stand of 78 between Mushfiqur Rahim and Raqibul Hasan played a major hand in delaying the inevitable. For a while the duo played with patience, character even tackled smartly the spin of Ajantha Mendis and Muttiah Muralitharan. But eventually, Muralitharan got the better of their grit, effectively ending the Bangladesh fight. Earlier the responsibility, once again, fell on Ashraful to play the multiple role of anchor, hustler and finisher. Yesterday, Ashraful had scored a composed century. Today, after his top edge was spilled by Jayasuriya, Ashraful went for a brash pull against a short ball from Dilhara Fernando. The umpire Simon Taufel thought the ball had brushed his gloves but the batsman started his walk with disbelief. SCORECARDSri Lanka: Jayasuriya b Abdur Razzak 72, Sangakkara c Tamim Iqbal b Mahmudullah 101, Jayawardene b Abdur Razzak 6, Kapugedera c Mashrafe Mortaza b Abdur Razzak 74, Silva c Mushfiqur Rahim b Alok Kapali 19, Dilshan c Tamim Iqbal b Mashrafe Mortaza 29, Vaas c Tamim Iqbal b Mashrafe Mortaza 13, Kulasekara c Mohammad Ashraful b Shahadat Hossain 1 3, Mendis not out 15, Muralitharan c Mohammad Ashraful b Shahadat Hossain 5, Fernando not out 0. Extras (lb 4, w 18) 22. Total (9 wickets; 50 overs) 357. Fall of wickets: 1-116), 2-170, 3-211, 4-264, 5-303, 6-330, 7-336, 8-337, 9-347. Bowling: Mashrafe Mortaza 10-0-53-2, Shahadat Hossain 7-0-62-2, Dolar Mahmud 3-0-49-0, Mahmudullah 10-0-62-1, Abdur Razzak 10-0-55-3, Alok Kapali 10-0-72-1Bangladesh: Tamim Iqbal b Kulasekara 28, Nazimuddin c Sangakkara b Vaas 1, Mohammad Ashraful c Sangakkara b Fernando 8, Raqibul Hasan st Sangakkara b Muralitharan 35, Mushfiqur Rahim c & b Muralitharan 44, Alok Kapali c Jayasuriya b Silva 30, Mahmudullah b Jayasuriya 4, Mashrafe Mortaza not out 34, Abdur Razzak not out 22. Extras (b 4, lb 6, w 8, nb 2) 20, Total (7 wickets; 50 overs) 226. Fall of wickets1-5, 2-35, 3-48, 4-126, 5-135, 6-142, 7-177. Bowling Vaas 6-1-16-1, Kulasekara 7-0-33-1, Fernando 8-0-53-1, Mendis 10-1-34-0, M Muralitharan 10-0-37-2, Jayasuriya 5-0-22-1, Silva 4-1-21-1.

Asia Cup will be a close contest: Malik

New Delhi: Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik believes the forthcoming Asia Cup would be an open contest with Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka all having equal chances of winning the final.
"I wouldn't say any team is favourite. India is a strong and balanced side but we showed in the tri-series final they can be beaten. So in a way this Asia Cup I think is going to be the closest one in recent years," Malik told reporters at the national stadium on Friday.

Twenty Pakistani probables began their training in a conditioning camp for the continental tournament with wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal, the notable player, missing from action.
The national selectors dropped the experienced Akmal from the short list of players giving a proper chance to young Sarfraz Ahmed to prove himself.

Malik said Pakistan's only advantage in the coming tournament would be that it would be playing in home conditions.

"Other than that all three top teams are balanced and can win on their day. The pitches also don't make much of a difference as there is no dew problem in Karachi at this time of the year even at night time," he said.

Source: http://www.cricketnext.com/news/asia-cup-will-be-a-close-contest-malik/32264-13.html

B’desh need a platform to test themselves

By Former India batsman Sandeep Patil

Pakistan's one-sided victory over Bangladesh in the first match of the tri-series was just not the kind of start the authorities would have liked. It was indeed disappointing for the home fans but then there were lessons to be learnt. I know Bangladesh made their Test debut in 2000 but cricket is a constant learning process.

Many vacant seats in the stadium did not give encouraging signals for the home team and one can well understand how dejected the fans must have been. Pakistan were a convincing winner and the difference between the teams only grew as the match progressed.

Of course, Bangladesh could take solace from the fact that leg-spinner Alok Kapali gave a decent account of himself. I like the confidence that Kapali brings to his job. He is a natural tweaker and loves to give the ball air. Now this is a quality that is fast diminishing in modern cricket and I thought it was a refreshing change to see a slow bowler take on the batsmen with some skillful stuff in a limited overs match. We know that Kapali is a talented cricketer and has a hat-trick in Tests but this performance should be special for the manner in which he got rid of Salman Butt, Mohammad Yousuf and Shahid Afridi, all wickets to be proud of.

Now that Pakistan have tasted early success, they will be confident of taking on an Indian team that is riding high on motivation. India will have a good platform now to test their strengths and weaknesses as they prepare for some tougher assignments ahead. To begin with, they would need to get past Pakistan on Tuesday.

The key here lies in adapting fast. The players would have to leave the Indian Premier League (IPL) behind and return to a different format that requires greater skills and endurance. Obviously Mahendra Singh Dhoni would have his strategies in place but the team has to look at consolidating its position.

The tri-series may not have captured the imagination of the cricket fans but it is important to have such competitions. The series would give Bangladesh an opportunity to assess their potential and there is not doubt that lot of work needs to be done. The empty seats at Dhaka must cause some worry for the authorities.

In my opinion, every series is important if a team wants to learn. It is not possible for India to just play Australia or South Africa all the while. Similarly, Bangladesh would also need a platform where they can test themselves against strong oppositions. I know most people would want to watch big teams with some big names but I have lot of time for Bangladesh. They are not minnows anymore and they cannot be just dismissed either. Cricket can be cruel at times, as India learnt at the last World Cup in the Caribbean, and Dhoni and his men could pay dearly if they take Bangladesh easy. Of course, they have to deal with Pakistan first.

Let the new-look Indian team grab the opportunity and make a strong statement. The youngsters would need to realise their responsibility and I expect Gautam Gambhir to show the way. He has expressed his keenness to play Test cricket regularly and this is the stage for him to demonstrate his intensity to achieve that goal.

Finally, I would take this opportunity to thank the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president, Mr. Sharad Pawar, for inviting us to a function on June 22 in New Delhi. It was nice to receive a letter from him for the function to celebrate 25 years of India winning the World Cup.

Source: http://www.cricketnext.com/columns/sandeeppatil/734/32054/bdesh-need-a-platform-to-test-themselves/1.html

Asif desperate to watch B'desh tri-series

Mumbai: Unable to play for Pakistan in the ongoing tri-series in Bangladesh due to detention for possession of drugs on June 1 in Dubai, pace ace Mohammad Asif said he was missing the action as he was not even unable to watch ODIs on television.

"No I have not been able to watch the Pakistan-India match," he said from his Dubai detention area on Tuesday night.

Asif's only interview an Indian journalist after his detention, carried in the Mid-Day newspaper, was made possible through the efforts of two airport police authorities.

They said that though Asif's cellphone had been confiscated, and there was no direct telephone line inside the 'jail', the bowler could contact the journalist by using a pay phone.

"What's the score? Is Pakistan winning", Asif had asked about the match in progress on Tuesday night.

"There are no TV sets here. Only news we get is from morning newspapers", he said. "The language is also a problem to deal with the authorities. They speak Arabic and don't understand what I say," he added.

"I have made few freinds over here. We chat most of the time. They also like my company," he added.

Few Indians, Pakistanis and Bangladeshis are detained at the airport for various reasons.
Asif chatted for about five minutes, and didn't seem to be nervous in the jail. "I shall play football," he said jokingly when asked what would he do if banned by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

He evaded the question about the hakeem, who, Asif says, had supplied the drugs.

"Yes, I offer namaaz three-four times a day. There is a prayer room and Pakistani people don't miss namaaz at various time during day. Insh-Allah, I shall be free soon," he signed off.

Source: http://www.cricketnext.com/news/asif-desperate-to-watch-bdesh-triseries/32118-13.html

Gambhir hundred sets up India-Pakistan final

Dhaka: Riding high after a massive win over arch-rivals Pakistan in their first game, India comfortably brushed aside Bangladesh by seven wickets on Thursday to sail into the final of the Kitply Cup tri-series here.

With a do-or-die match to play, Bangladesh, laid low by a huge loss to Pakistan, were looking for inspiration from their day of celebration in the 2007 World Cup, where India were humbled and later knocked out in the first round. But inspiration is one thing, repeating the act, another.

For Bangladesh to make the final despite a huge defeat to Pakistan, the hosts had a clear-cut job in front of them: to beat India by a handsome margin.

Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful had no hesitation in deciding to bat after calling the coin right on a batting beauty, but the hosts managed 222 all out, before Gautam Gambhir's fluent century and Virender Sehwag's blazing half-century put paid to the home side's hopes.
Sehwag came out firing on all cylinders as the right-hander brought up his fifty off just 29 balls before falling to Dollar Mahmud after sharing an opening wicket stand of 85. Gambhir, however, carried on his spectacular form to crack a superb century, his fifth in One-day Internationals, to set up a clinical run chase.

Gambhir remained not out on 107, collected off 101 balls, while Rohit Sharma and Yuvraj Singh were the other men out, both for 26, as India reached their target with 14.5 overs to spare. Pakistan made the final by virtue of their win over Bangladesh.

The Bangladeshi innings followed a similar script that played out against Pakistan, as the early departure of openers Tamim Iqbal and Shahriar Nafees saw the hosts crawl in the early stages of the innings, before Raqibul Hasan's gritty 89, coupled with handy contributions from the lower order took them to a competitive total.

The hosts' run-getting lacked purpose at first as Ashraful and Raqibul Hasan ambled across for the ones while boundaries were hard to come by. Although the initial movement of the new ball was safely negotiated, the Bangladesh skipper failed to get going before he offered a return catch to Yusuf Pathan on 36, ending a 76-run third wicket partnership.

Raqibul Hasan was the lone bright spot in a sedate batting display as he spruced up the proceedings with a calculated fifty on the face of some disciplined bowling by the Indians, but missed a well deserved century in an attempt to push the scoring rate.

Alok Kapali (20), Mahmudullah (24) and Mashrafe Mortaza (13) chipped in with useful cameos at the death to boost their score to 222.

India's bowlers had a terrific start as Praveen Kumar struck in the first over of play without a run being scored. Rudra Pratap Singh, who got the nod ahead of Ishant Sharma for the game, scalped three wickets while Irfan Pathan chipped in with two. Praveen Kumar, Piyush Chawla and Yusuf Pathan bagged a wicket each.

Bangladesh were thumped by Pakistan in the opening fixture of the series on Sunday, while India overwhelmed their arch-rivals by a huge 140-run margin.

Source: http://www.cricketnext.com/news/gambhir-hundred-sets-up-indiapakistan-final/32119-13-single.html

Dhoni's men hope to make it unlucky 13th

Dhaka: With the euphoria of Indian Premier League all but settled, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his team will have to quickly get back into the One-day mode to snap Pakistan's 12-match winning streak when the traditional rivals face off in the cricket tri-series here on Tuesday.

Pakistan routed Bangladesh by 70 runs in the tri-series opener on Sunday night to extend their unbeaten streak to 12 matches and it would be a tough task for Dhoni's young Indian side to halt the arch-rivals.

Pakistan coach Geoff Lawson has already sounded the war bugle when he said that his wards would look to thump India by a bigger margin to make it 13 wins in a row.

India, severely under-strength because of pre-tournament injury woes, would be in for further trouble as opener Virender Sehwag is a doubtful starter due to high fever. Besides, the team is still awaiting the arrival of pacer S Sreesanth's replacement Manpreet Singh Gony.

With seniors like Sachin Tendulkar, recovering from a groin injury, and Harbhajan Singh, serving a ban for slapping Sreesanth during the IPL, not in the ranks, it would be anything but easy for Dhoni's young brigade against Pakistan.

The team had a feel of the ground and the conditions on Sunday and put in three hours at the indoor nets after rain prevented any outdoor practice session.

The short tri-series, being seen as a warm-up for the Asia Cup late this month in Pakistan, is crucial for the Indians as it provides an opportunity for players like all-rounder Yusuf Pathan, spinner Piyush Chawla and Gony to show their worth in absence of the seniors.

With the pitch at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium likely to assist the batsmen, India's new-look bowling attack, to be spearheaded by Irfan Pathan and Ishant Sharma, will be severely tested.
No doubt, the Indian team has the batting strength to score heavily on a strip like this but it remains to be seen how their bowlers contain hard hitters like Salman Butt, Kamran Akmal, Misbah-ul-Haq, Younis Khan and Muhammad Yousuf.

The much-anticipated contest meanwhile faces a major threat from the weather gods. The opener itself was truncated because of intermittent drizzle and this match too could see rain interruptions.

As for the Pakistani attack, the medium-pacers, particularly young talent Wahab Riaz, were impressive in last night's win over Bangladesh. But with Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif missing from the attack, it remains to be seen how Sohail Tanvir and his bowling colleagues fare against India's star-studded line-up.

In the batting department, though Butt, Yousuf and Misbah looked in good nick, Pakistan's line-up still sports a vulnerable look and even Bangladesh, with their limited options in the bowling department, shot them out in 39.3 overs.

Source: http://www.cricketnext.com/news/dhonis-men-hope-to-make-it-unlucky-13th/32060-13.html