Wisden overview

A talented but erratic legspinner and a batsman of undoubted potential, Alok Kapali has a burgeoning reputation as an allrounder, particularly in the one-day game. He made a promising Test debut against Sri Lanka in 2002, and impressed with his technique and temperament in an otherwise disappointing match. Batting as high as No. 6, in spite of a first-class average in the mid-teens, he made starts on both occasions without being able to go on, and has since demonstrated a bold attitude towards quick bowling. His bowling has improved, since disappearing for more than five an over on debut, and against Pakistan at Peshawar in August 2003, when still only 19, he became the first Bangladesh bowler to take a hat-trick in Test cricket, a performance that secured his side their maiden first-innings lead, at the 23rd attempt. Following a string of poor performances he was dropped from the one-day squad before the Champions Trophy in England in September 2004, and was later omitted from the 20-man training squad for the 2005 tour of England. He was recalled to the national squad early in 2006, but did little of note beyond an innings of 55 in one of the one-dayers against Kenya, and failed in his only Test outing, against Sri Lanka, which followed a career-best 156 for Sylhet against Chittagong. After poor performances in a couple of ODIs against Australia and Zimbabwe, Kapali was dropped from the squad for the tour of Kenya in July 2006. He was later recalled for the 2008 Asia Cup and smashed his maiden ODI century, batting at No. 6 against India. However, his international career was put on hold when he joined the Bangladesh exodus to the rebel Indian Cricket League and was banned for ten years. After one season, he quit the ICL and made himself available for selection again.

Andrew Miller and Cricinfo Staff June 2009