Bangladesh v England | 2nd Test | Dhaka | 20-24 Mar 2010

[Amjid Javed]

Big Picture


For two days in Chittagong it was a walk in the park for England, but over the next three it turned into a hard slog. Eventually they overpowered Bangladesh, as everyone imagined they would, but the team returned to Dhaka with some weary bodies and tired minds. With only three days to recover between matches (they may have had more with a bit more adventure) it will be a test of Andy Flower's claims that this is the fittest England side ever.

Bangladesh can take great heart from the way their performance improved during the match. It is clear they are forming the backbone of a decent batting unit with the flamboyant skills of Tamim Iqbal and Mahmudullah alongside the adhesiveness of Mushfiqur Rahim and Junaid Siddique. Shakib Al Hasan, their captain and leading player, had a poor game with the bat in the first Test and is due a score.

Their challenge again has to be to take the match five days - victory, surely, remains beyond them with a weak bowling attack - and ensure England climb aboard their flight home knowing they have been through two hard-fought Tests.

There is a feeling within the England team - although they are reluctant to say it - that they are pretty much on a hiding to nothing on this tour. A full hand of victories is all that was expected; any defeats would have been major embarrassments. Alastair Cook gave a forthright defence of his tactics after the first Test, but there was a sense of reactiveness rather than proactivity in his captaincy.

These, though, are early days for his leadership and he will be immensely satisfied to leave with his record intact. That may need another five days of hard work.



Form guide (last five completed matches)

Bangladesh LLLLW
England WLDWD


Watch out for...


Steven Finn has come a long way in a short time. A couple of weeks ago he was back in London preparing for a pre-season boot camp with Middlesex and now he has leapfrogged Liam Plunkett and Ajmal Shahzad into the Test team. His first appearance confirmed his promise as he troubled the Bangladesh batsmen on a slow, flat pitch. A return of two wickets didn't do him justice, but he'll have learnt valuable lessons about bowling on docile surfaces. The indications are he will get another chance in Dhaka to further advance his claims ahead of the home season.

Ever since he made his debut at Lord's aged 16, Mushfiqur Rahim looked to have the skills to withstand Test cricket. His double effort at Chittagong - 79 followed by 95 - suggests he has come of age at the highest level as he twice left the England attack with little idea of how to remove him. It took a great catch in the first and an ill-judged charge in the second to bring his downfall. Given some of the frailties elsewhere in the order Rahim is suited to a position higher up, but for now at least he seems set to stay at No. 7. For the good of Bangladesh it might benefit them in the long term if he gives up the wicketkeeping gloves and slots in at No. 4.


Team news


Bangladesh have confirmed two changes, with pace bowler Shafiul Islam replacing the disappointing Shahadat Hossain, while Jahurul Islam will make his debut in the middle order in place of Aftab Ahmed. The onus will be on Bangladesh's spinners to have more of an impact than they managed in the first Test.

Bangladesh 1 Tamim Iqbal, 2 Imrul Kayes, 3 Junaid Siddique, 4 Jahurul Islam, 5 Mahmudullah, 6 Shakib Al Hasan (capt), 7 Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 8 Naeem Islam, 9 Abdur Razzak, 10 Shafiul Islam, 11 Rubel Hossain

England are likely to stick with an unchanged team, which means no spin support for Graeme Swann after his 10-wicket haul in Chittagong. Cook has virtually guaranteed that the seven batsmen will remain, so if a change is made then it will be Finn who would make way now that Stuart Broad has recovered from illness.

England (probable) 1 Alastair Cook (capt), 2 Michael Carberry, 3 Jonathan Trott, 4 Kevin Pietersen, 5 Paul Collingwood, 6 Ian Bell, 7 Matt Prior (wk), 8 Stuart Broad, 9 Tim Bresnan, 10 Graeme Swann, 11 Steven Finn


Pitch and conditions


Jamie Siddons, the Bangladesh coach, said he expected a little more life in this surface but it is likely to remain heavily in favour of the batsmen. A touch more bounce would please everyone - except, perhaps, the home side's batsmen - and the spinners will be hoping for more help from the footmarks. Temperature wise it will be hot again, with the mercury hitting the high 30s on most days.



Stats and Trivia



•Bangladesh's second innings at Chittagong was their fourth-longest at 124 overs.


•Junaid Siddique became the fourth Bangladesh batsman to score their maiden Test hundred this year following on from Mushfiqur Rahim against India and Mahmudullah and Shakib Al Hasan against New Zealand.


•Siddique's 106 was also Bangladesh's fifth-longest Test innings in terms of balls faced.



Quotes


"We bowled, I think, nine maidens in 145 overs [138.3]. It's ridiculous, and it's not good enough. Test cricket should be a game where you have to work a lot harder for your runs, but we couldn't bowl one side of the wicket, and when we wanted to bowl at the wickets we couldn't do that either."
Jamie Siddons doesn't pull any punches when assessing Bangladesh's bowling in the first Test.

"They were probably very close to the mark and Swanny has apologised, but we want to play hard, aggressive cricket and our disciplinary record over the last couple of years has been exceptional."
Alastair Cook wants his team to maintain an aggressive approach.

(Cricinfo)

[bullseye7]

Two changes in BD squad

Zahurul comes in place of Aftab and Shafiul replaces Shahadat.

Hope debutant Zahurul makes the most of opportunity provided. Shafiul who has been expensive in the past must economise his bowling figures

[bullseye7]

Mr Pitch has a crucial role to play. So far very disappointing.

Hope, ths time BD spinners gets genunine turn from it and have the opposition on the backfoot.

[bullseye7]

Irrespective of pitch conditions If BD wins the toss they should choose to bat

I hope Shakib has learnt from past mistakes.

Good Luck Tigers!

[bullseye7]

I hope Imrul has spent long hours the nets to overcome his technical deficiences under the watchful eye of Jamie.

It is very important that he gives able support to ace batsman Tamim

and stick around as long as possible.

[bullseye7]

BD squad for the second test.

1 Tamim Iqbal

2 Imrul Kayes

3 Junaid Siddique

4 Jahurul Islam

5 Mahmudullah

6 Shakib Al Hasan (capt)

7 Mushfiqur Rahim (wk),

8 Naeem Islam

9 Abdur Razzak

10 Shafiul Islam

11 Rubel Hossain

Shakib is not in the best of form these days batting wise

He should play at # 8. The guys Mahmudullah, Mushfiq and Nayeem has been in form and amongst runs. Hence the necessity.

IF shakib comes with a good score in the first innings he he can always revert to #6 in second innings

Let see what happens .

[Bangla Tiger]

i hope mushfiq bats at no 4...but unlikely if he holds onto the gloves

[Ashraful_Rox]

Imrul Kayes should have been dropped. Averaging 13 after 11 test doesn't justify his position, even Ashraful would have been a better pick than Kayes. Needless to say I would have picked Farhad Hossain, Faisal Hossain or Shuvagoto Hom over Imrul.

Anyway it is just a formality for the players to show up, we already know the enn result. England to win by another 150+ runs. Swann is going to pick 10 more, Finn will make our players look like wuss. We need 6 more Tamims in the team.

[bullseye7]

Sakib win the toss and chosen to bat. Right decision.

[bullseye7]

Jamie, please have a proper game plan and strategy for individual players and overall team

If Junaid and Rahim can do it. Others can.

[bullseye7]

It is very unfortunate that Rahim who put up sterling performances of 79 and 95 in first and second innings of first test missed centuries on both occasions.

This time their is no stress of wicket keeping. He will start fresh and no stress of opposition score as BD is batting first.

Rahim should take his time and strive to comlete a century that has eluded him so far.

All the best to GoBoy(Golden Boy a name give by Jamie to Rahim for his enormous talent and potential)!

[ali_ed2006]

Good start by tamim again

[Geordie Ahmed]

Tamim is on a mission

Bangladesh 33/0 after 5 overs

Tamim 25* from 18 deliveries
Kayes 7*

[Shaheerthe2nd]

50 to Tamim

[itduzz]

Tamim is next :iamlegend

[bullseye7]

12 over

Ball # 1 : Junaid 1 run

Ball # 2 : Tamim 4 runs

Ball # 3 : Tamim 4 runs

Ball # 4: Tamim 4 runs

Ball # 5 : Tamim 6 runs

Ball # 6: Tamim 1 run

Swann will remember for the rest of his life for this beating.

Way to go Tamim!

[bullseye7]

Could you believe?

Swann bowling figures : 4 overs no maiden 37 runs no wicket economy 9.25 . Too bad.

[bullseye7]

No respite for any English attack. Pace or spin. Smashed to all parts of the ground.

Tamim in eighties : 80 (54 balls, 1 fours, 1 six, SR : 148.14)

[Geordie Ahmed]

Superb knock from Tamim so far - he needs to get a big hundred here

[Khabri420]

..and it's also his birthday!

Happy Birthday to Tamim Iqbal!

[Geordie Ahmed]

That Finn is a right mong - he needs a punch in the face, snarling and giving stares like he is something special when he is just a divvy

[Poison]

Flattest first day wicket ever produced?

[Khabri420]

Poor shot by Tamim to end a great innings

[Khabri420]

Actually looking at Tamim's dismissal, I don't think it was out - went off his forearms. Very unlucky.

The debutant gone for a duck - not the most convincing LBW either

[James]

260-6, game moving on very quickly, but you have to say that bangladesh have thrown it away a bit

[bullseye7]

For the umpteenth time Umpire Rod Tucker makes a horrendous umpiring mistake against a BD batsman . More importantly Tamim a well set batsman being an unfortunate victim and deprived of a well deserved hundred

Tamim must have been devasted when given out at 85 as he was in course of a well deserved 85. Disgusting to say the least.

I think like players Umpires need to be imposed fines for making errors.

An error like this one where the ball hit the forearm and not the bat
is unaccaptable . How is this possible unless the umpire has vision problems?

Bat and forearm are like chalk and cheese

If an umpire cannot distinguish the diference between bat and forearm then he is not competent enough to officiate a match.

After the series BD must make formal protest to ICC for some glaring umpiring errors that has cost BD in a big way.

ICC please put some real good umpires to officiate matches and not incompetent ones like Rod Tucker.

God bless Rod Tucker!God bless ICC!

[Equinox]

Originally Posted by itduzz Tamim is next :iamlegend

The next more like. He is miles ahead of any current Pakistani opener.

Tamim was batting beautifully. He looked good for a big hundred but the umpires robbed him off a perfect birthday.

[James]

talking about the one unfortunate dismissal is a convenient way to avoid the issue of the five poor dismissals. losing 6+ wickets on day 1 on a wicket like this is not good!

[Equinox]

Lol bullseye despite his horrendous performance in this series Rod Tucker is going to be elevated to the ICC Elite Panel very soon. Whereas the South African who made one error against England in the previous series has not been asked to stand in the T20 World Cup eventhough he is a member of the elite panel. That's the ICC for you.

[bullseye7]

Score 283 for 6. One would have liked Shakib to have stayed a bit longer
but 49 is good enough for an all rounder. Hope he was not out to a dubicious decision as has been his cases in the past.

The target should be 350. Anything beyond that will be a bonus.

These young guns should take their time and play every ball according to its merit.

Hope they are NOT TKO by stupid UMPIRING ERRORS.

[James]

49 is above his average, but his shot by all accounts was horrid and irresponsible and the lbw was plumb, on this tour he has been exposed by a decent side as an ordinary player and a very poor captain.

[Amjid Javed]

Bangla past 300 but england have new ball.. so this is crucial part of game.

Bangla need to post 400 here atleast!

[Amjid Javed]

Bresnan gets rahim 301/7

Bangla will struggle to get 350 now...

[Robert]

Fine effort by the Bangles - another flat deck and an England attack that is simply not very good, Swann and Broad apart.

England still capable of winning this but it might take a KP special to give them enough of a lead with enough time left.

[James]

even Broad has been pretty poor today. A combination of poor batting, poor umpiring and Swann's excellence has kept us in it. our bowling attack looks so much weaker without Anderson.

right now the likelihood of results go: draw, Ban win, Eng win but we still have four days to come back in the game - it needs a big hundred or two and much improved bowling.

[bullseye7]

Originally Posted by Whippy 49 is above his average, but his shot by all accounts was horrid and irresponsible and the lbw was plumb, on this tour he has been exposed by a decent side as an ordinary player and a very poor captain.

Shakib may not have a good batting performance against England this series and on two occasions was a victim of poor umpiring decision.But he has done very well against all sides - minnows and better sides.

Take a look at his century against recent series against New zealand.

Masterful hundred. Also watch for commentators commnents. Someone was suggesting if he could be hired to play in New zealand.

Please take a look at Mycrickethighlights.com and look for Bangladesh Newzealand series(Test) . Hope they have not removed that. Most series are archived.

On the captaicy side, though he started well with the minnows and West Indies (B) team, he certainly has a long way to go. He will learn with experience. Good student(academically) and sharp and fast learner.

[Equinox]

No complains about Mushfiq's dismissal. That was a peach of a delivery from Bresnan, but then again you do need to produce something special to get rid of Mushy these days.

How long will Imrul keep his place in the Test side? Zohirul should have opened with Tamim today. He is an opener not a number 4 and he topped the league this season. And Imrul should have been axed instead of Aftab.

[Equinox]

Shakib will play county cricket for Nottingham this season.

[James]

New Zealand are a terrible side, they do nothing every year and seem to get steadily worse as they go along. face it, Vettori is the best bowler, batsman and fielder in the NZ side. how bad does that make the team? Shakib... a century against NZ and being the captain of a side which beat West Indies B is hardly an impressive record.

Shakib is a poor to ordinary batsman. the real class in the Bangladesh side lies with Tamim and Mushy, and with the passion that Siddons has instilled in them. I would actually not be surprised to see Bangladesh beat England in this match, as we are just missing too many good players (restings and injuries), we made a meal of losing the toss, and this is not our kind of wicket. But if Bangladesh draw the series 1-1 it will be in spite of Shakib, not because of him.

[Equinox]

Originally Posted by Whippy New Zealand are a terrible side, they do nothing every year and seem to get steadily worse as they go along. face it, Vettori is the best bowler, batsman and fielder in the NZ side. how bad does that make the team? Shakib... a century against NZ and being the captain of a side which beat West Indies B is hardly an impressive record. Shakib is poor to ordinary. the real class in the Bangladesh side lies with Tamim and Mushy, and with the passion that Siddons has instilled in them. I would actually not be surprised to see Bangladesh beat England in this match, as we are just missing too many good players (restings and injuries), we made a meal of losing the toss, and this is not our kind of wicket. But if Bangladesh draw the series 1-1 it will be in spite of Shakib, not because of him.

We can't win if Shakib doesn't deliver with the ball so you are wrong!

[James]

you have lots of spinners. this is the kind of wicket where any part-timer could pin down an England batting lineup that looks very susceptible to a collapse if we get a few early losses. Bresnan at 7, what the?

[bullseye7]

Despite being treated as a club level bowler by Tamim (Went for 20 runs in 12th over - 4,4,4,6 1) Swann has clawed back and still manages to become the highest wicket taker of Eng in first innings.

[Equinox]

Dominic Cork compares Tamim Iqbal to Virender Sehwag. Tamim was on course to become the fifth batsman in the history of Test cricket to get a century before lunch - but he was offcourse robbed by the umpires.

[Robert]

Originally Posted by Equinox No complains about Mushfiq's dismissal. That was a peach of a delivery from Bresnan, but then again you do need to produce something special to get rid of Mushy these days.

With a test average of below 30? Come on mate, Swann has a better batting record than that!

[Robert]

Originally Posted by Whippy you have lots of spinners. this is the kind of wicket where any part-timer could pin down an England batting lineup that looks very susceptible to a collapse if we get a few early losses. Bresnan at 7, what the?

Yeah, it's weak, and the addition of a fifth bowler has had little effect. Five bowlers are no better than four if the fifth is not test class. Come back Jimmy and Bunny!

[Equinox]

Originally Posted by Robert With a test average of below 30? Come on mate, Swann has a better batting record than that!

That's why your bowlers had no clue how to get rid of him in the first Test and had to depend on him gifting his wicket in both innings. Even Swann admitted this after the match. It is kind of hard to maintain a decent average when you debut at the age of 16 especially for a team with no one else to depend on - batting wise. He is however averaging 60 with the bat this year and has been our best Test bat for the last two years.

[bullseye7]

Originally Posted by Whippy New Zealand are a terrible side, they do nothing every year and seem to get steadily worse as they go along. face it, Vettori is the best bowler, batsman and fielder in the NZ side. how bad does that make the team? Shakib... a century against NZ and being the captain of a side which beat West Indies B is hardly an impressive record. Shakib is a poor to ordinary batsman. the real class in the Bangladesh side lies with Tamim and Mushy, and with the passion that Siddons has instilled in them. I would actually not be surprised to see Bangladesh beat England in this match, as we are just missing too many good players (restings and injuries), we made a meal of losing the toss, and this is not our kind of wicket. But if Bangladesh draw the series 1-1 it will be in spite of Shakib, not because of him.

Please do some researching before making inappropriate comments about Shakib. (If you search this forum I had provided all aspects of Shakib statistics under a thread called Shakib earns contract with Yorkshire - this will help you)

As far as outcome of the match it will be unquestionably England for the following reasons:

England's batting strength - Cook, Peterson, Bell, Collingwood, Prior simply too good for BD.

BD's pace attack Shafiul and Rubel is not upto international standard.

Even though these youngsters takes wickets , they bleed too many runs. English batsmen can easly blast them away without much difficulty.

BD in all likelihood will fail to score 400 in first innings. Anything short of that cannot be a competitive score.

BD cannot match England in fielding . They not only take regulation ones but also half chances.

BD spinners have so far been not succesful (based on results of other pitches) as the pitch did not offer spin.

What is the guarantee that they will get assistance from this wicket?

and last but not the least Blessings of Umpires.

TBH, in the end I reckon it will be an English win . Perhaps margin of victory may be reduced.

So realistically England has nothing to worry.

So mate, England will be in the driver's seat and win unless a miracle happens.

[Robert]

Originally Posted by Equinox That's why your bowlers had no clue how to get rid of him in the first Test and had to depend on him gifting his wicket in both innings. Even Swann admitted this after the match. It is kind of hard to maintain a decent average when you debut at the age of 16 especially for a team with no one else to depend on - batting wise. He is however averaging 60 with the bat this year and has been our best Test bat for the last two years.

OK fair enough, so what is your combined best XI, picked from both teams?

[Equinox]

Originally Posted by Robert OK fair enough, so what is your combined best XI, picked from both teams?

Tamim Iqbal
Alastair Cook
Kevin Pietersen
Ian Bell
Paul Collingwood
Mushfiqur Rahim
Matt Prior+
Shakib Al Hasan
Graeme Swann
Tim Bresnan
Stuart Broad

I think two pacers, two spinners and two-part timers (Colly and KP) are enough on this surface.

[Afridi_Fan]

Originally Posted by Equinox The next more like.

Oh My Good Lord!

[Amjid Javed]

Bangla 330/8 - i think they have last 2/3 more wickets then they would have liked. The tail needs to some how wag and 350-400 needs to be posted.

England will be happier of two sides here!

[Equinox]

Originally Posted by Afridi_Fan Oh My Good Lord!

Inshallah I will bump this thread in five years time. Whether Tamim becomes that good or not one thing is for certain...the next Saeed Anwar ain't coming from Pakistan.

[Robert]

Originally Posted by Equinox I think two pacers, two spinners and two-part timers (Colly and KP) are enough on this surface.

I don't think that a combination of Marshall and Waqar would be enough on this surface!

[Khabri420]

Originally Posted by Equinox The next more like. He is miles ahead of any current Pakistani opener. Tamim was batting beautifully. He looked good for a big hundred but the umpires robbed him off a perfect birthday.

Please don't compare him to Anwar.

Tamim is the next Akram Khan

[Khabri420]

Originally Posted by Equinox Inshallah I will bump this thread in five years time. Whether Tamim becomes that good or not one thing is for certain...the next Saeed Anwar ain't coming from Pakistan.

LOL - ab tu Pajama se baahar nikal raha hai.

Tamim - the next Anwar
Junaid - the next Aamir Sohail
Shakib - the next Imran Khan
Mahmudullah - the next Qadir

....etc, etc

[bullseye7]

BD is known to collapse once the tailenders comes in.

So far these young guns Nayeem and Shafiul had fought well.

Nayeem should shield Shafiul as much as possible.

Hope, Nayeem is able to help BD post 350.

[Afridi_Fan]

No one in here ever said that any Pakistani opener is as good as Anwar. Its only you who thinks that way, that The legend Tamim is next Anwar.



As far as bumping this thread is concerned, feel free to do that when your legendary opener scores 19 ODI Centuries and shred bowling attacks home and abroad into pieces for a considerable time. Till then, my advice will be don't exaggerate a batsman who is not even playing against a 1st choice England attack. Cheers.

[Equinox]

Tamim's birthday bash There was a hint of Virender Sehwag in the way Tamim Iqbal tore into England's attack and for a while they were helpless to stop him Andrew Miller The first day of the Dhaka Test was Tamim Iqbal's 21st birthday, and with the poise, panache and sheer arrogance of youth, he elected to stage his coming-of-age party right there in the middle of the pitch at Mirpur. For a scintillating hour right from the start of play, none of England's bowlers had the foggiest how to deal with him - not even Graeme Swann, the only man who entered the contest with comparable levels of self-belief. Not since Virender Sehwag battered his way to 83 from 68 balls on the fourth evening of India's historic run-chase in Chennai have England's bowlers been hit so hard and so often, and with such certainty of shot selection. Until he succumbed to a sweep on 85 from 71 balls, with five men back on the ropes and Alastair Cook back-pedalling like a rickshaw-wallah in a bottleneck, a century in a session was utterly at his mercy. Sadly - both for his own sake and for that of his team - Tamim failed on this occasion, and by the close, Bangladesh's finest day of the series to date had lost some of its sheen thanks to a procession of late wickets and a familiar failure to convert solid starts into formidable finishes. Nevertheless, the faith in the team's advancement grows with passing performance, and even taking into account his century in the first ODI and his 86 at Chittagong, few performances snatched the plaudits quite like this one. "The first thing was that I was feeling really well when I went to bat," said Tamim, who is clearly still young enough to embrace, rather than dread, each passing birthday. "I don't know why, but when I was about to face my first ball, I was feeling really well and from then it all started. I was seeing the ball nicely, I was moving my feet okay, and that's the most important thing for a batsman, I think." Regardless of the slightly flighty approach to his innings, the manner of Tamim's dismissal - caught on the sweep while trying to work the ones and twos - was further confirmation that his natural game is to remain on the attack where possible. "Every batsman has a different game style," he said. "I am still trying to work out whether I should leave many balls or attack, but I think the way I am batting, this is my style. Sometimes it will look fantastic, sometimes it will look ugly. But I think this is the way I should continue." The contrast between Tamim's approach to Swann, whom he bludgeoned for 37 runs from his first four overs, and Tredwell, who completed seven overs before his analysis reached double figures, was marked. "It was nothing personal [against Swann]," he said. "I was just taking my chances and I knew that he will give it some flight. So I was ready for it and every shot that I played it paid off. "But they had five fielders wide when the debutant [Tredwell] came on to bowl," he added. "Normally this does not happen so early in Test cricket, but I knew it would have been very bad if I got out trying to hit big. For Swann, the fielders had been close so I took my chance, but I would have had to take a big risk against Tredwell, and this was only reason for me to slow down. There was no other reason." However, regardless of the brief elation that Tamim's innings caused, by the close he was still some way short of satisfaction, after another day in which Bangladesh's best efforts fell just short of excellence. "Of course I am very disappointed," he said. "I think if I could play a big innings, we would have scored 400 runs. If you look at the scoreboard, me, Shakib, Riyad [Mahmudullah], we all were out after getting a start. It's good for one-day cricket maybe, but someone has to put on a good score in Test cricket." Some time soon, however, you sense that person will be Tamim. He's only just entering full adulthood, after all.

Seems like I'm not the only one who thinks he is a great opener in the making. Some experts like Miller and Dominic Cork are likening him to Virender Sehwag who is >>>Saeed Anwar. Hmm I wonder if their pajamas are oversized as well.

[Khabri420]

Originally Posted by Equinox Seems like I'm not the only one who thinks he is a great opener in the making. Some experts like Miller and Dominic Cork are likening him to Virender Sehwag who is >>>Saeed Anwar. Hmm I wonder if their pajamas are oversized as well.

Yours certainly are....

Nobody is denying Tamim is talented, but I think the orgasm you're currently having is a little over the top.

[Ayyub]

Originally Posted by Khabri420 Yours certainly are.... Nobody is denying Tamim is talented, but I think the orgasm you're currently having is a little over the top.

its natural khabri so stop it


tamim is next farhat

[Imtiazk]

If Nayeem can take the lead beyond 350 - he has not looked in any trouble at all - then this would give Bangladesh a great psychological boost. The wicket is not the same as in Chittagong - actually slower and with variable bounce and offering some turn already.

I feel unlike Chittagong Shakib and Razzak will be a handful. All Shafiul and Rubel has to do is bowl straight and not leak runs. Hopefully, Rubel might get some reverse which with his slinging action does more than the English do. The English look after the ball better - much better - with Cook being the polisher-in-chief.

I don't think England will score more than 220/5 by the close

[Imtiazk]

I think comparing Tamim to Anwar now is a bit too premature. He has to produce the goods first. By which I mean the hundreds, big hundreds.

The same applies to Mahmudullah. It is no good his shots are being compared to Laxman, if he cannot convert his 50s into 100s.

Apart from Imrul, who is useless, and Zahurul - who should not have been picked - every Bangladeshi got a start. None capitalised with a 100. Nayeem has to score at least a 50 !

[Ashraful_Rox]

Originally Posted by Imtiazk I think comparing Tamim to Anwar now is a bit too premature. He has to produce the goods first. By which I mean the hundreds, big hundreds. The same applies to Mahmudullah. It is no good his shots are being compared to Laxman, if he cannot convert his 50s into 100s. Apart from Imrul, who is useless, and Zahurul - who should not have been picked - every Bangladeshi got a start. None capitalised with a 100. Nayeem has to score at least a 50 !

Nayeem should come way up the order, he bats like Mohammed Yousuf.

[Shaheerthe2nd]

Originally Posted by Equinox Seems like I'm not the only one who thinks he is a great opener in the making. Some experts like Miller and Dominic Cork are likening him to Virender Sehwag who is >>>Saeed Anwar. Hmm I wonder if their pajamas are oversized as well.

First of all, he's facing a third rate english bowling attack.

Second, the track is flat and anyone can score easy runs.

Third, Sehwag imo isn't better than Anwar.

[Shaheerthe2nd]

This pair is fustrating England.

[Poison]

Originally Posted by Ashraful_Rox Nayeem should come way up the order, he bats like Mohammed Yousuf.

If you are being serious please GTFO!

[kingusama92]

Originally Posted by Poison If you are being serious please GTFO!

Those types of statements are the reason why I really don't want Bangladesh to win. Just imagine how much they would overreact if they won. It would be unimaginably horrifying.

[Khabri420]

Indeed, cricket can sometimes be an extremely emotional sport

Originally Posted by Equinox Tamim made me cry today.

[Ashraful_Rox]

Originally Posted by kingusama92 Those types of statements are the reason why I really don't want Bangladesh to win. Just imagine how much they would overreact if they won. It would be unimaginably horrifying.

Sorry, the banglacricket forum members are pissed at me for making this comparison, my greatest apology.

[kingusama92]

Originally Posted by Khabri420 Indeed, cricket can sometimes be an extremely emotional sport

Tamim can be so mean sometimes.

[Desi]

Originally Posted by Equinox Seems like I'm not the only one who thinks he is a great opener in the making. Some experts like Miller and Dominic Cork are likening him to Virender Sehwag who is >>>Saeed Anwar. Hmm I wonder if their pajamas are oversized as well.

You have quite the knack for making ridiculous statements. Passion is one thing, but you're a kamikaze.

Sehwag is an extraordinary batsman, as was Anwar. Sehwag has had the comfort his entire career of having 4-5 master bats in the team that allowed him to bat pressure free, Anwar didn't. I'm not saying Anwar is better, I am saying they are simply not comparable.

[RumiNYC]

Advice to all my Bangali brothers: RELAX and Take a chill pill...stop comparing all these to Cricket gods..we haven't won a zip...let' Bangla win some series first for god sakes...

[kingusama92]

Originally Posted by RumiNYC Advice to all my Bangali brothers: RELAX and Take a chill pill...stop comparing all these to Cricket gods..we haven't won a zip...let' Bangla win some series first for god sakes...

Finally someone with common sense.

[James]

Originally Posted by kingusama92 Those types of statements are the reason why I really don't want Bangladesh to win. Just imagine how much they would overreact if they won. It would be unimaginably horrifying.

Agreed. it's actually been quite odd listening to them all going on. I thought a side that had a record in the test arena of 60 losses and 3 barely credible wins would possess a grounded, realistic set of fans, alas...

[Zobair]

All hyperbole aside...as someone who has been following the Tigers' fortunes for a while it definitely looks they have finally found a core of quality young players to build their test team around. Before they can start winning tests regularly, they need to be able to draw matches on a regular basis and until recently they lacked the quality bats to put on decent scores vital for drawing matches.

[James]

oh yeah, there is a match going on. 419 is a poor effort from England, and makes their task A LOT harder. this could go any which way, and I have to admit with players injured (and Strauss stupidly rested) and a long tail, I'm not confident at all. they do say that the best days to bat here are 2 and 3, and we havvvvvve to take advantage of that, or this first credible Bangladeshi test win could be witnessed!

If Bangladesh bundle England out here for 150-280 in 2-4 sessions they have a very realistic chance of winning, because there is so much time left in the game. If we can match their 419 I think we are just about safe for a draw. The only chance of winning would be some inspired top order batting getting us to 600 by lunch on day 4, which would give us a real chance of creating some pressure for 10 more wickets as the ball really starts to turn, and then have a bit of a bat to win. hmmmmmmmmm.

whether we get bowled out for 60 or 600 it's going to be a very painful and slow game to watch now. left arm spin. over and over and over again. and then some more.

[Desi]

Originally Posted by Zobair All hyperbole aside...as someone who has been following the Tigers' fortunes for a while it definitely looks they have finally found a core of quality young players to build their test team around. Before they can start winning tests regularly, they need to be able to draw matches on a regular basis and until recently they lacked the quality bats to put on decent scores vital for drawing matches.

dood, shoaib didn't have the right shoes or else he would have had 800 wickets.

[Desi]

Originally Posted by Whippy oh yeah, there is a match going on. 419 is a poor effort from England, and makes their task A LOT harder. this could go any which way, and I have to admit with players injured (and Strauss stupidly rested) and a long tail, I'm not confident at all. they do say that the best days to bat here are 2 and 3, and we havvvvvve to take advantage of that, or this first credible Bangladeshi test win could be witnessed! If Bangladesh bundle England out here for 150-280 in 2-4 sessions they have a very realistic chance of winning, because there is so much time left in the game. If we can match their 419 I think we are just about safe for a draw. The only chance of winning would be some inspired top order batting getting us to 600 by lunch on day 4, which would give us a real chance of creating some pressure for 10 more wickets as the ball really starts to turn, and then have a bit of a bat to win. hmmmmmmmmm. whether we get bowled out for 60 or 600 it's going to be a very painful and slow game to watch now. left arm spin. over and over and over again. and then some more.

I really don't think bangla know how to win. Even if you guys get shot out for under 200, even under 150, I'd still put my money on England.

[kingusama92]

Originally Posted by Desi dood, shoaib didn't have the right shoes or else he would have had 800 wickets.

I think he meant quality batsmen.. when he said "quality bats".

[Desi]

Originally Posted by kingusama92 I think he meant quality batsmen.. when he said "quality bats".

It was my attempt at a funny