Asian Test Championship continues to cruise sans India

The Asian Test Championship continues to cruise without India's participation. The only difference made by big brother India's withdrawal was to reduce the championship from a 'quadrangular' to a 'triangular.' However, what made India act as a 'step brother' is a mystery. The reasons advanced by the sports minister don't seem very convincing.

One is compelled to accept the common man's theory reinforced by the opinion of some top cricketers that 'India is scared of losing to Pakistan'.

I feel one should show some sympathy towards India as many of the top players are unfit and have just gone through the humiliation of a 2-1 thrashing at the hands of Sri Lanka. Thus, pundits muse, how can a timid outfit pick up the courage to face its latest conqueror Sri Lanka and the Pakistanis in the ATC?

Let us not forget the nerve centre of the Indian team rests in Sachin Tendulkar. As long as he is not fit to play, the team tends to remain in doldrums.

Whatever the cause, the fact remains that India's absence has taken away lot of charm and excitement from the tournament. Apart from lowering the quality of an important competition, the absence is causing a colossal financial loss to the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), a sports body dear to all Asian cricket countries.

India's absence from a crucial tournament designed to determine the 'Asian test champions' caused tremendous disappointment and anger in cricket playing countries of the region. Even some top cricketers like Imran Khan have demanded action against India for slipping out of a commitment, but does anyone really care?

Lt Gen Tauqir Zia, Chairman PCB and the current President of the ACC, however, took the right decision to hold the tournament without India. The 1st match of the tournament was played between Pakistan and Bangladesh at the gorgeous newly built Multan Cricket Stadium, which Pakistan won by an innings and 264 runs. Creating lot of interest among the local population, the match drew a good crowd.

Five Pakistan batsmen scored centuries equalling the record established earlier in 1954-55 in a match between Australia and the West Indies at Kingston. Bangladesh batsmen and the bowlers, both failed to impress. In their 1st innings total of 134 runs, the highest individual score was 19 while in the 2nd innings Habibul Bashar was able to score an unbeaten half century (56). Pakistan lost only 3 wickets in the one innings they batted. While the pace bowlers were wayward with no sting, the spinners lacked guile. The contest was a one sided affair.

With such a glaring mismatch and the record of losing all the four test matches played till then, many observers of the game felt that Bangladesh had been granted test status rather prematurely. Looking like a confident and a hard working outfit, the Bangladesh captain as well as players accepted their weakness with absolute grace. Skipper Naimur Rahman was quite bold to acknowledge, 'We do not care what people call us. We are a new Test nation and will learn and come up with time'.

Their resolve to improve and face tough opponents with courage deserved respect. In the past we have seen Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe in a similarly precarious condition, fighting for years to win their 1st test match. Bangladesh's desire to improve at a quick pace is indicated by the fact that they have engaged a top trio of coaches comprising Javed Miandad (Pakistan), Andy Roberts (West Indies) and Trevor Chappell (Australia) to train the boys and to bring them up to the standards of other countries. Brimming with talent and full of determination, they are bound to improve with experience and due passage of time.

In their 2nd encounter of the tournament Bangladesh lost to Sri Lanka at Colombo by an innings and 137 runs. Sri Lanka was flying high after achieving a convincing 2-1 victory over India. In the 3rd and last Test of the series, Sri Lanka handed India a humiliating defeat by an innings and 77 runs.

Four of its players, Marvan Atapattu (108), Mahela Jayawardene (139), Hashan Tillakaratne (136*) and Thilan Samaraweera (103*) scored centuries. With a terrific haul of 11 wickets in the match, Muttiah Muralitharan demolished the Indian team. Bangladesh had to face such gladiators in the field.

With Sri Lanka a far superior side, the encounter again proved to be a one sided affair. Although Bangladesh crumbled for 90 runs in the 1st innings it gave a better fight in the 2nd innings scoring an impressive 328. The redeeming factor for Bangladesh was a glorious century (114) by Mohammad Ashraful.

Bangladesh shall have to swallow the bitter pill of losing all the five tests played so far, for the sake of gaining experience and the far and wide hope of a victory sometimes in future. The present Asian Test Championship is perhaps the best learning ground for them.

One must appreciate the ACC for their firm resolve in staging the championship without India. One can only hope that India comes back in the fold soon.