What the 'Tigers' did (4 June 1999)

4 June 1999

What the 'Tigers' did

Hasan Masood

The novelty of sports is that you can lose countless times but then there is always a chance to stage a comeback magnificently.

Bangladesh have played 34 one-day matches and the record of the minnows was quite expectedly 32-2 against them until they faced Pakistan in their last match of the seventh World Cup.

Cricket world, oblivious of the age old adage of the game's glorious uncertainties, might have granted a Pakistan victory in the clash of David vs Goliath.

But then fortune sometimes favours the brave, Aminul's men rose to the occasion to turn the world upside down when they floored Akram's 'fantastic' Pakistan at Northampton last Monday.

No doubt that Pakistan was more favoured to win against the lightweights and if that happened, none would have raised a question. But that did not happen and Bangladesh staged an upset which is the most unique part of the glorious game of uncertainty.

Bangladesh scored 223 for nine after sent into bat by the Pakistan skipper Wasim Akram.

One-down Akram Khan, former national captain who scored only 20 runs in his previous four innings, finally found his feet and scored 42. Opener Shahriar, who was dropped after managing only nine runs in the first two matches against New Zealand and West Indies, also returned with a superb 39. Vice-captain Khaled Mahmud contributed 27.

The Pakistanis looked quite relaxed when they began their chase but as soon as they lost their top five batsmen for only 42 runs, from then on Bangladesh never looked back.

That was an extraordinary day for the boys as they gave their all in the field and made sure three Pakistanis were sent back run out.

Khaled Mahmud, who earlier scored 27, also sparked with the leather and finished with three for 31 which earned him the man-of-the match award.

Earlier, Bangladesh got off to an unexpectedly nervous start against New Zealand at the Essex County Club ground in Chelmsford on May 17. The month-long conditioning in England hardly made a difference.

Aminul and Company lost miserably to the Kiwis by six wickets only to frustrate a few thousand Bangladeshi crowd who turned up braving the biting cold.

The Bangladeshis managed only 116 runs before they were bundled out in the face of some disciplined bowling by Allott, Cairns and Larsen who evenly shared nine wickets.

Not a single Bangladeshi batsman crossed 20- run mark.

Veteran all-rounder Enamul Hoque top scored with 19 followed by another all-rounder Naimur Rahman who managed 18. One-down Akram Khan, from whom the nation expected so much, and lower order Hasibul Hossain, with 16 runs to each name, were the other leading run-getters who helped Bangladesh go past a 100 before being all out in the 38th over. Skipper Aminul Islam also added 15.

In reply, the bowlers did a commendable job under the circumstances claiming four wickets before Fleming's crew cruised home in 33 overs.

Left-arm seamer Monjurul gave Bangladesh an early breakthrough dismissing Astle while his new-ball partner Hasibul Hossain, off-spinner Naimur Rahman and left-arm spinner Enamul Hoque captured the other three wickets.

Bangladesh gave a much-improved performance against the mighty West Indies in their next outing at Dublin, Ireland on May 21.

Opener Mehrab Hossain, the lone Bangladeshi to have scored a ODI century, slammed 64 while middle order Naimur Rahman chipped in with 45 to steer Bangladesh to a respectable total of 182 against the Caribbeans. Vice-captain Khaled Mahmud, with 13, was the other batsman to achieve double figures. The most frustrating part of that innings was the batting of Akram and Aminul who scored only 4 and two runs respectively. None of them looked confident against the Windies.

It was our bowlers who shone again as they managed to shackle West Indians' run flow for about 47 overs before they reached their winning target. Bangladesh lost that match by seven wickets.

Then came the dream victory against Scotland which was the main World Cup mission of the Tigers of Bengal. They did it in style defeating the Scots in their capital Edinburgh by 22 runs. Veteran all-rounder Minhazul Abedin who played the innings of his life to take Bangladesh to 185 for 9 in their stipulated 50 overs.

Bangladesh lost their top five batsmen in 9.3 overs with the scoreboard reading only 26 before Minhaz partnered Naimur and added an invaluable 69 runs for the sixth wicket stand. Minhaz eventually remained not out on 68.

Faruque scored 7 while opener Mehrab managed only two runs. Skipper Aminul Islam, his deputy Khaled Mahmud and one down Akram returned with ducks.

The Scots, in their chase, were all out for 163.

Medium pacers Hasibul, Monjurul and Mahmud looked pretty impressive against the Bravehearts took two wickets each while Minhaz and Enamul captured one apiece.

Minhaz inclusion in the official squad was in doubt till the first week of April. The BCB had to sit in an emergency session and included him at the expense of the Siraj-led three-member selection committee. He became the first Bangladeshi to be adjudged man-of-the-match.

The most experienced Bangladeshi middle order eventually finished the first round with an average of 70.00 from four innings that placed him sixth among the top ten averaged batsmen in the first round.

Bangladesh were on the receiving end from the Aussies whom they met in their next match at Chester-le-Street on May 27.

Bangladesh were restricted to only 178 for seven in the allotted 50 overs. But they could not restrict Minhaz who came out with an unbeaten 53. Opener Mehrab followed Minhaz with 42 while Aminul and Akram once again failed. Akram scored only nine runs while Aminul was out on 2.

In reply, Australia, in order to achieve a better run rate for their qualification to the Super Six, took Bangladeshi bowlers to the sword and reached 181 in only 12.3 overs with the loss of three wickets.

Then came the historic 62-run win over pre-tournament favourites Pakistan.

Among the Bangladeshi batsmen, three Bangladeshis scored more than hundred runs. Minhazul Abedin scored highest 140 with two fifties while Mehrab scored 120 with a half century against the Windies. Naimur Rahman, in his five innings aggregated 114 runs with an average of 22.80.

The most shocking part in the World Cup was the batting of skipper Aminul Islam who scored only 45 runs in his five innings.

Khaled Mahmud, who clinched the man-of-the-match award against Pakistan, was the most successful Bangladeshi bowler bagging six wickets at an average of 24.16 while Minhazul Abedin captured four wickets in four matches he played. Medium pacers Hasibul, Monjurul and left arm spinner Enamul Hoque captured three wickets each.

Source :: The Daily Star