Gazi's bunny, Gayle's false dawn
ESPNcricinfo presents the plays of the day from the opening one-day international
Mohammad Isam in Khulna
30-Nov-2012
Chris Gayle's lean time in Bangladesh continued after a brief flurry • Associated Press
Sequel of the day
Sohag Gazi's confidence has risen considerably from the moment he removed Chris Gayle in the Dhaka Test after Gayle had struck him for two sixes in his first over in international cricket. In his first ODI, Gazi was also faced with Gayle on strike to his first ball, but this time it passed without drama. However, with his second delivery Gazi beat Gayle in the flight as he charged too early and was caught at long-on, where the fieldsman had been ever present since that first over in Dhaka, as Gayle became Gazi's first wicket in ODIs as well as Tests.
Sohag Gazi's confidence has risen considerably from the moment he removed Chris Gayle in the Dhaka Test after Gayle had struck him for two sixes in his first over in international cricket. In his first ODI, Gazi was also faced with Gayle on strike to his first ball, but this time it passed without drama. However, with his second delivery Gazi beat Gayle in the flight as he charged too early and was caught at long-on, where the fieldsman had been ever present since that first over in Dhaka, as Gayle became Gazi's first wicket in ODIs as well as Tests.
Catch of the day
But Gazi had to thank Tamim Iqbal for the catch that dismissed Gayle. It had been hit well, but without quite the height needed, and as it approached Tamim at long-on he reached out above his head and had the ball in his grasp. The fall was always going to be important but he managed to stay well inside the rope. He has a safe pair of hands but injuries have made him a boundary rider for a long time. In 2007 he took a superb catch at wide long-on to dismiss Upul Chandana, catching the ball after it had gone behind him.
But Gazi had to thank Tamim Iqbal for the catch that dismissed Gayle. It had been hit well, but without quite the height needed, and as it approached Tamim at long-on he reached out above his head and had the ball in his grasp. The fall was always going to be important but he managed to stay well inside the rope. He has a safe pair of hands but injuries have made him a boundary rider for a long time. In 2007 he took a superb catch at wide long-on to dismiss Upul Chandana, catching the ball after it had gone behind him.
Forgettable over of the day
Naeem Islam's second ball of the match was a very short delivery that nearly bounced a second time before reaching the batsman, Darren Bravo. It was a dot ball but that didn't stop Bravo from going after Naeem, taking 17 off what was his only over.
Naeem Islam's second ball of the match was a very short delivery that nearly bounced a second time before reaching the batsman, Darren Bravo. It was a dot ball but that didn't stop Bravo from going after Naeem, taking 17 off what was his only over.
Clever adjustment of the day
A captain's job can be subtle as well as obvious. When Gazi was brought into the attack for a second spell after West Indies had lost seven wickets he beat Devon Thomas first ball then, as he was walking back to his mark, Mushfiqur Rahim signalled to Abdur Razzak at long-on to move a little to his right. The next ball Razzak took two steps forward to take a simple catch; the captain's sleight of hand working a treat.
A captain's job can be subtle as well as obvious. When Gazi was brought into the attack for a second spell after West Indies had lost seven wickets he beat Devon Thomas first ball then, as he was walking back to his mark, Mushfiqur Rahim signalled to Abdur Razzak at long-on to move a little to his right. The next ball Razzak took two steps forward to take a simple catch; the captain's sleight of hand working a treat.
False dawn of the day
In the tenth over of West Indies' innings Gayle played a crashing forehand, with tremendous power, against Abul Hasan which finished at the cover boundary. But two overs later Gayle's lean run in Bangladesh continued as he fell for 35, although that was his highest score on tour so far.
In the tenth over of West Indies' innings Gayle played a crashing forehand, with tremendous power, against Abul Hasan which finished at the cover boundary. But two overs later Gayle's lean run in Bangladesh continued as he fell for 35, although that was his highest score on tour so far.
Early decision of the day
Four players stood a chance of making their ODI debuts at some point during this series, but Mushfiqur and Shane Jurgensen decided to fast-track all of them in the opening game. Gazi was the no-brainer after the Test series but the jury is still out on Abul, Anamul Haque, Mominul Haque. At least they have the debut out of the way, especially in the case of Anamul and Abul who have been considered prospects for a long time.
Four players stood a chance of making their ODI debuts at some point during this series, but Mushfiqur and Shane Jurgensen decided to fast-track all of them in the opening game. Gazi was the no-brainer after the Test series but the jury is still out on Abul, Anamul Haque, Mominul Haque. At least they have the debut out of the way, especially in the case of Anamul and Abul who have been considered prospects for a long time.
Mohammad Isam is ESPNcricinfo's Bangladesh correspondent