Afridi's relief, Shakib's anguish
Plays of the day from the Group D match between Bangladesh and Pakistan in Pallekele
Abhishek Purohit in Pallekele
25-Sep-2012
Shakib Al Hasan and Bangladesh's intent was clear, but it was not their day • Associated Press
The reaction to a reaction
Mohammad Hafeez opened the bowling for Pakistan, and had a deep midwicket and long on for Mohammad Ashraful. Ashraful swept the fourth delivery over square for four. Hafeez reacted immediately, moving deep midwicket to deep square leg and pushing long on wider. Next ball, Ashraful swept again, this time to deep midwicket.
Mohammad Hafeez opened the bowling for Pakistan, and had a deep midwicket and long on for Mohammad Ashraful. Ashraful swept the fourth delivery over square for four. Hafeez reacted immediately, moving deep midwicket to deep square leg and pushing long on wider. Next ball, Ashraful swept again, this time to deep midwicket.
The declaration of intent
In Saeed Ajmal's first over, Shakib Al Hasan stepped out to a delivery on leg stump, got inside the line and lofted it over to the wide long-off boundary. Coming up against Pakistan's best bowler, it was a statement that Bangladesh were in no mood to roll over today.
In Saeed Ajmal's first over, Shakib Al Hasan stepped out to a delivery on leg stump, got inside the line and lofted it over to the wide long-off boundary. Coming up against Pakistan's best bowler, it was a statement that Bangladesh were in no mood to roll over today.
The recovery
Umar Gul had a nightmare with the ball, going for 43 off three overs. He tried to make up for it on the field. In the ninth over, he dived full-length to his left at short-third man to try and stop a thick edge from Mushfiqur Rahim. He couldn't stop it, but managed to take some pace off it. Hafeez went after it from backward point. Gul got up, sprinted hard, overtook Hafeez, slid to stop the ball and ended up saving a run.
Umar Gul had a nightmare with the ball, going for 43 off three overs. He tried to make up for it on the field. In the ninth over, he dived full-length to his left at short-third man to try and stop a thick edge from Mushfiqur Rahim. He couldn't stop it, but managed to take some pace off it. Hafeez went after it from backward point. Gul got up, sprinted hard, overtook Hafeez, slid to stop the ball and ended up saving a run.
The modified celebration
Shahid Afridi's celebration is usually an uninhibited display of happiness, with a wide smile accompanying the raised arms. But Bangladesh had rattled Pakistan today with their batting, and the release of emotion showed in the way Afridi celebrated after getting Mahmudullah. The arms were raised alright, but there was no smile. Instead, he arched back and cried out, looking towards the skies.
Shahid Afridi's celebration is usually an uninhibited display of happiness, with a wide smile accompanying the raised arms. But Bangladesh had rattled Pakistan today with their batting, and the release of emotion showed in the way Afridi celebrated after getting Mahmudullah. The arms were raised alright, but there was no smile. Instead, he arched back and cried out, looking towards the skies.
The superman's anguish
Apart from taking a start, stopping, and leaving Tamim Iqbal with no chance of making it back to his crease, Shakib did everything right today. His magnificent 84 willed Bangladesh on to 175, he bowled economically and should have had Imran Nazir off his first ball, but the leg-before appeal was turned down. In his second over, Nazir sliced high towards sweeper cover. Abul Hasan made a reasonable effort to go for the catch, but ultimately had to stop as it fell well in front of him. All a frustrated Shakib could do was to scream in anguish and stare at the fielder.
Apart from taking a start, stopping, and leaving Tamim Iqbal with no chance of making it back to his crease, Shakib did everything right today. His magnificent 84 willed Bangladesh on to 175, he bowled economically and should have had Imran Nazir off his first ball, but the leg-before appeal was turned down. In his second over, Nazir sliced high towards sweeper cover. Abul Hasan made a reasonable effort to go for the catch, but ultimately had to stop as it fell well in front of him. All a frustrated Shakib could do was to scream in anguish and stare at the fielder.
Abhishek Purohit is an editorial assistant at ESPNcricinfo