Why can't the rain stay in Spain?
Your first experience of watching a Test in a stadium ruined by weather. That's not cricket. Or is it?
Zeeshan Mahmud
23-Oct-2013
Shakib Al Hasan: never disappoints • AFP
Choice of game
After Sohag Gazi's world-record hat-trick with a ton and Mominul Haque's 181 in the first Test, my interest was greatly piqued in this series. Bangladesh were close to securing a win, and my prediction for this match is that there will be a decision in favour of Bangladesh.
After Sohag Gazi's world-record hat-trick with a ton and Mominul Haque's 181 in the first Test, my interest was greatly piqued in this series. Bangladesh were close to securing a win, and my prediction for this match is that there will be a decision in favour of Bangladesh.
Team supported
I was rooting for Bangladesh.
I was rooting for Bangladesh.
Key performer
Shakib Al Hasan.
Shakib Al Hasan.
One thing I'd have changed
I would have regulated the rain and chased it away to Spain. The weather was a buzz kill, and the day ended after tea. It was also extremely difficult to get hold of tickets.
I would have regulated the rain and chased it away to Spain. The weather was a buzz kill, and the day ended after tea. It was also extremely difficult to get hold of tickets.
Wow moment
Rubel Hossain, the Man of Steel, stole the show with a blinder of a catch. At first I thought it was going over the boundary, but his leap of faith turned out to be a giant step for the whole stadium. He landed on his back and had to go off the field for a few minutes. When he returned, the crowd erupted on seeing him bowl the next over.
Rubel Hossain, the Man of Steel, stole the show with a blinder of a catch. At first I thought it was going over the boundary, but his leap of faith turned out to be a giant step for the whole stadium. He landed on his back and had to go off the field for a few minutes. When he returned, the crowd erupted on seeing him bowl the next over.
By the time we purchased our tickets, Bangladesh had been dismissed. Since it was the first time I was watching a Test from the stands, I was itching to see a dismissal. Shakib didn't disappoint, dismissing Hamish Rutherford and Peter Fulton in successive overs.
Filling the gaps
I sat with Fahmim Ferdous, another fanatic follower, and my cousin Syed, who took me to the stadium. I learned more from their chatter than I could in an entire year of watching from an armchair at home. For nourishment we had Pepsi, chips, packets of biryani and coffee.
I sat with Fahmim Ferdous, another fanatic follower, and my cousin Syed, who took me to the stadium. I learned more from their chatter than I could in an entire year of watching from an armchair at home. For nourishment we had Pepsi, chips, packets of biryani and coffee.
Close encounter
Rubel fielded at the boundary near us, and although he was booed at first for leaking runs, his steely return to bowl following his catch prompted the crowd to chant "Rubel! Rubel!" in support.
Rubel fielded at the boundary near us, and although he was booed at first for leaking runs, his steely return to bowl following his catch prompted the crowd to chant "Rubel! Rubel!" in support.
Shot of the day
A cut by Brendon McCullum prompted a person sitting behind me to exclaim, "Urre baap re [Oh my god]". I forget which ball it was since the security at the gate confiscated all pens and pencils, so I couldn't take notes.
A cut by Brendon McCullum prompted a person sitting behind me to exclaim, "Urre baap re [Oh my god]". I forget which ball it was since the security at the gate confiscated all pens and pencils, so I couldn't take notes.
Tests v limited-overs
I have only attended one day of a Test and I thoroughly enjoyed the roller-coaster moments of the game. It was an experience of a lifetime.
I have only attended one day of a Test and I thoroughly enjoyed the roller-coaster moments of the game. It was an experience of a lifetime.
Overall
Ten. It was all worth it, arriving from California, even if it was just to watch for a few hours my first Bangladesh match.
Ten. It was all worth it, arriving from California, even if it was just to watch for a few hours my first Bangladesh match.
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