'We need to stop rushing'

A total of 131 shouldn't have challenged the Tigers in their own den. However, as it happened, the hosts had to depend upon their number eight batsman -- their skipper -- at the end of it all to put things to rest.

While Mashrafe Bin Mortaza enjoyed smacking those boundaries in the end and finishing off the game in style, he wasn't particularly happy with his batsmen's approach.

"Obviously we didn't want to chase the target that way. We seemed to be in a bit of a hurry. I think we should have just batted normally. But on the whole, the win was important. Hopefully everyone will play according to plan in the next match," said Mashrafe in the post-match press conference in Mirpur yesterday.

"In a T20 you generally try to get boundaries in the first six overs and put around 50 runs on the board. If you notice, we got 47 and after that there was no need to rush things.

"Instead of rushing, we should have thought about getting set. If we had two set batsmen we could have won the game easily," elaborated the skipper.

The other crucial aspect of the game was regarding the performance of Jubair Hossain. Jubair had leaked 17 runs in his first over. While Mashrafe admitted that the youngster was a bit nervous at first, he was however pleased to see him scalp two wickets at the end.

"This series is probably the last chance for us to find a good combination before the T20 World Cup, so maybe there was a bit more pressure Jubair. But this was a good opportunity to see the way he performs under pressure. The first over was a bit difficult for him, but he came back well," said Mashrafe.

After Jubair's first over it was unclear whether the debutant would get the ball again in the match. However he was brought back in the 16th over and incidentally had to bowl his first ball at Malcolm Waller, who tore him apart in his first spell.

"The reason why I gave him another over was because he is a main bowler in our side. There is no point of picking a player in the side as a bowler and giving him just one over.

"It was a challenging decision no doubt, but in my opinion he had to bowl. It didn't matter if he bowled badly or if he bowled well. Thankfully he did well," said Mashrafe.

With the next T20I tomorrow, the skipper hopes his players can learn from their mistakes in the first T20I and put up an even better showing.

Source-  http://www.thedailystar.net/sports/cricket/we-need-stop-rushing-172057

The run-out fiasco

In the 45th over of the Bangladesh innings yesterday, Mahmudullah had pushed the ball to cover and, as per Mashrafe Bin Mortaza's call, attempted to take a single. However, after he had taken quite a few steps forward, Mashrafe decided to send him back.

Sikandar Raza collected the ball and hit stumps. At first glance, it seemed like Mahmudullah was out by a long margin and according to Zimbabwe skipper Elton Chigumbura, square-leg umpire Aleem Dar had even raised his finger as the batsman started walking.

However, a replay showed that Zimbabwe keeper Regis Chakabva had taken the bails off the stumps before Raza's throw had hit the stumps.

In order to rectify his mistake, Chakabva asked for the ball and picked up a stump with the ball in hand a while later, to make sure the run-out was completed on the second attempt.

However, the third umpire, after a hard and long look, negated the on-field umpire's decision since the ball was 'legally dead' as soon as the umpire had raised his finger. Chakabva's move to pick up the stumps, as per the laws of the game, did not come into consideration.

Drama unfolded as Zimbabwe players formed a huddle in the middle for a brief period, only to be quieted after a talk with the umpire.

While the entire saga caused a lot of confusion and took off some precious time, the correct law of the game prevailed and the on-field umpire was spared blushes.

Source-  http://www.thedailystar.net/sports/cricket/the-run-out-fiasco-171175

Bangladesh seal fifth ODI series in a row

Bangladesh 241 for 9 (Kayes 76, Panyangara 3-41) beat Zimbabwe 183 (Chigumbura 47, Mustafizur 3-33) by 58 runs

The last four series wins have drilled into Bangladesh the way to get out of tight corners. So when they were faced with another, in the second ODI against Zimbabwe in Mirpur on Monday, they stuck to the known paths and ensured a way out. Their 58-run win defending a total of 241 for 9 gave them an unassailable 2-0 lead and sealed their fifth consecutive bilateral ODI series win. They beat their own record of four series wins in a row in 2006-07 and 2009 and the lead means that, in ODIs, Bangladesh will be unbeaten in bilateral series throughout 2015 unless there is another series next month.

Bangladesh's bowling effort was steered smoothly by the captain Mashrafe Mortaza and the line-up hardly missed Shakib Al Hasan, who left Dhaka to be with his wife for the birth of their first child. Mustafizur Rahman was the pick of the bowlers, taking three wickets for 33 runs, while Al-Amin Hossain, Arafat Sunny and Mashrafe himself bowled with control and showed a knack for putting together dot balls.

Wickets in clumps always help and Bangladesh got those early in Zimbabwe's chase, and at a later stage when Elton Chigumbura and Sikandar Raza were starting to look dangerous.

The visitors started the 242-run chase by losing both openers Regis Chakabva and Chamu Chibhabha within the first 5.1 overs. Chakabva was trapped leg-before in Arafat Sunny's first over and four balls later Mashrafe Mortaza had Chibhabha inside-edge one on to the stumps.

Sean Williams and Craig Ervine were fidgety, edging many and missing some too. Williams was caught at short midwicket after he misread a Mustafizur off-cutter. Ervine and Chigumbura tried to consolidate for the fourth-wicket stand but the former was run-out after Liton Das threw down the stumps from mid-off to leave the score at 78 for 4 in the 21st over.

Chigumbura badly needed Sikandar Raza to stay with him, and the pair added 73 runs for the fifth wicket with minimal effort. Raza hardly played a false short after he blasted Sunny over long-off early in his innings. Chigumbura was looking for a release point and it came in the 32nd over when he went after Mashrafe for a six and two fours off consecutive deliveries.

The six was blasted over the bowler's head before Liton and Nasir Hossain couldn't chase down a ball near the leg-side boundary. The third boundary came off an outside edge but it seemed Zimbabwe were turning a corner.

Al-Amin removed both in the 34th and 36th overs. Raza holed out to mid-on for 33 off 42 balls, which included two fours and a six, while hit an upper-cut to Kayes at third man, who took the catch diving forward. The Zimbabwe captain's knock could hardly be described as berserk and he hit two fours and a six in 47 off 77 deliveries.

Mustafizur took two more wickets, removing Luke Jongwe and Tinashe Panyangara, while Nasir took the wickets of Malcolm Waller and Graeme Cremer, to shut Zimbabwe down for 183 runs in 43.2 overs.

Earlier in the afternoon, Bangladesh were presented with a situation similar to the first ODI when they were put into bat and lost two early wickets. This time, however, there were no moderate or big partnerships. Imrul Kayes was the only batsman with some semblance of prolonged authority as he made 76 off 89 balls and batted until the 32nd over.

Tamim Iqbal got out to peach of a Panyangara delivery that held its line and took the outside edge in the seventh over. Liton Das' tough start to his ODI career continued after he got out trying to pull Panyangara, when he could have left the high-bouncing delivery. Mahmudullah's struggle continued, too - this time he batted for 32 minutes to make 7 and his dismissal made it 79 for 3 in the 18th over.

Mushfiqur Rahim, fresh from his fourth ODI hundred in the first match of the series, looked in ominous touch as he started off with a slog-sweep and a loft over cover for boundaries. The fourth-wicket partnership added 48 runs before another attempt at an inside-out shot took the edge and he was caught at short third-man, in the 28th over. Sabbir Rahman also looked to be hitting clean but, like the batsmen above him, he flattered to deceive with his 40-ball 33 that had four boundaries. Just when it looked like he would take the team to a high-scoring finish in the last ten overs, Sabbir fell to a poor slash outside off stump that gave Chakabva his fourth catch behind the stumps.


Mashrafe and Nasir, who made 41 off 53 balls, tried to up the ante but Bangladesh ended up with only 53 runs in the last ten overs as Zimbabwe took good catches and bowled tightly to keep the scoring down to 241 for 9 in 50 overs.

Source-  http://www.espncricinfo.com/bangladesh-v-zimbabwe-2015-16/content/story/938687.html

Bangladesh under pressure losing top order batsmen

Bangladesh score 167 runs by 36 overs after losing top five batsmen in the second one-day international of three match series against Zimbabwe at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur, Dhaka on Monday.

Opener Imrul Kayes 76-run helps Bangladesh to reach the team score before returning to the pavilion.

Zimbabwe bowler Panyangara removes Tamim Iqbal, who scores 19 runs after spending 25 balls hitting 3 fours, and Liton Das, who contributes only seven runs for Bangladesh. Cremer sent back Mahmudullah (4) and Mushfiqur Rahim (21) and Sean Williams grabs Imrul Kayes' wicket.

Zimbabwe captain Elton Chigumbura won the toss and elected to field first in the match.

Bangladesh lead the three-match series 1-0 thanks to their 145-run win in the first ODI on Saturday.

The hosts made one change, bringing opener Imrul Kayes in place for the world's leading all-rounder, Shakib Al Hasan, who flew to the United States to be with his newborn daughter.

Zimbabwe replaced injured wicketkeeper Richmond Mutumbami with Regis Chakbva.

Bangladesh though will be happy to bat, which has been their modus operandi of late. After a fantastic victory in the first ODI, the motivated Tigers embark on a new mission to seal the series.

Bangladesh Team

Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Liton Das, Mahmudullah, Mushfiqur Rahim†, Sabbir Rahman, Nasir Hossain, Mashrafe Mortaza*, Arafat Sunny, Al-Amin Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman

Zimbabwe Team

CJ Chibhabha, RW Chakabva†, CR Ervine, SC Williams, E Chigumbura*, Sikandar Raza, MN Waller, LM Jongwe, AG Cremer, T Panyangara, T Muzarabani

Source-  http://en.ntvbd.com/sports/12196/Bangladesh-under-pressure-losing-top-order-batsmen

Bdesh-Zimbabwe second ODI today

Shakib leaves for US, Anamul replaces him

Bangladesh will take on visiting Zimbabwe in the 2nd One Day International (ODI) with an advantage of 1-0 lead in the three-match series at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium Monday, reports UNB.

The match will start at 9:00 am (BST).

The Tigers will miss the world best all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan for the remaining matches of the series as he has to leave for USA Sunday night, to take care of his wife Shishir who will give birth to a baby girl, their first child, on November 22 if everything remains okay.

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) released all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan from the national squad for the series against Zimbabwe due to a family emergency, said BCB media release Sunday.

All-rounder Anamul Hoque Bijoy has been named as Shakib's replacement in the squad.

Bijoy last played an international match for the Tigers against Scotland in the last World Cup, and then had to be sidelined due to injury. Bijoy was also in the squad of South Africa series but did not play any match.

On the other hand, there will be one enforced change for Zimbabwe due to Richmond Mutumbami's ankle edema. Regis Chakabva is likely to replace him as wicketkeeper.

Zimbabwe could also think of adding an extra bowler from the three spinners and the pacer they have in the reserves.

Bangladesh squad (probable): Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes/Jubair Hossain, Liton Das,  Mahmudullah, Mushfiqur Rahim, Sabbir Rahman, Nasir Hossain, Mashrafe Mortaza (captain), Arafat Sunny, Al-Amin Hossain and Mustafizur Rahman.


Zimbabwe squad (probable): Chamu Chibhabha, Luke Jongwe, Craig Ervine, Sean Williams, Malcolm Waller, Sikandar Raza, Elton Chigumbura (captain), Regis Chakabva, Graeme Cremer, Tinashe Panyangara and Taurai Muzarabani.

Source-  http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2015/11/09/116220

Sakib to miss remaining Zimbabwe matches

Bangladesh all-rounder Sakib al Hasan will miss the remaining two one-day internationals of the three-match series against Zimbabwe for a family emergency, the Bangladesh Cricket Board said on Sunday. ‘The BCB has released all-rounder Sakib al Hasan from the national squad for the series against Zimbabwe due to a family emergency,’ said the BCB in a statement. ‘The Bangladesh vice-captain is scheduled to fly for the USA tonight to be with his wife for the birth of their first child.’ Sakib starred in Saturday’s 145 win in the first one-day international in Dhaka grabbing 5-47, his maiden five-wicket haul in ODIs. Sakib, who has 206 wickets in 157 ODIs, is just one wicket shy of joining fellow left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak as the country’s leading wicket-taker in 50-over format. The second ODI will be held on Monday in Dhaka. Bangladesh will also play two Twenty20 internationals against Zimbabwe after the ODIs. Opening batsman Anamul Haque has been named as Sakib’s replacement in the squad.

Source-  http://newagebd.net/173600/sakib-to-miss-remaining-zimbabwe-matches/

Sakib, Mushfiq raze Zimbabwe

Sakib al Hasan ended a long-wait for his maiden five-wicket haul as Bangladesh crushed Zimbabwe by 145 runs in the first one-day international to take 1-0 lead in the three-match series in Dhaka on Saturday. Sakib grabbed 5-47 to join a select group of Bangladeshi bowlers, helping the Tigers dismiss Zimbabwe for 128 on a slow wicket at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium. Sakib’s exploit overshadowed a fine innings of Mushfiqur Rahim, who hit 107 off 109 balls, his fourth ODI century that became the cornerstone in Bangladesh’s 273-9.

 Bangladesh’s victory was never thrown into doubt after Sakib made triple strike in his opening spell, ripping the heart out of Zimbabwe’s top-order to leave the side struggling at 4-65. Zimbabwe did not get a chance to regroup as other bowlers complemented the left-arm spinner to accomplish the win sooner than it was expected. Skipper Mashrafee bin Murtaza shrugged off his fitness concern to finish with 2-13 while Al-Amin Hossain and Nasir Hossain also grabbed one wicket each. Elton Chigumbura made highest 41 runs for Zimbabwe before he was adjudged leg-before off Nasir Hossain, a wicket that also brought an end to the Zimbabwe innings with nearly 14 overs left. Zimbabwe suffered a blow before they started their innings as wicketkeeper Richmond Mutumbami hurt his ankle while trying to stop a ball during fielding that made him unlikely to take any further part in the series. Bangladesh were always up to their task despite a shaky start thanks to Mushfiq, who looked to be in a fine touch from the onset of his innings. Perhaps buoyed on by their warm-up win, when the visitors successfully chased down a big total with ease, Chigumbura did not wait for a second to decide for fielding after he won the toss. Bangladesh appeared nervous initially as makeshift opener Liton Das offered Graeme Cremer a catch at point for a duck before Tinashe Panyangara bowled Mahmudullah for nine. Things started to take shape once Mushfiq joined Tamim as the duo mixed aggression with caution to repair the initial damage with a patient 70-run third wicket partnership. Off-break bowler Sikandar Raza had Tamim caught by Luke Jongwe at long-on for 40 and soon he got rid of Sakib (16) to leave Bangladesh in danger of a below-par total. But Sabbir Rahman put his hands up to provide Mushfiq an invaluable support forging 119-run in the fourth wicket stand. Sabbir scored 57 off 58 balls, his only second ODI fifty that could not have come at a better time. Sabbir and Mushfiq were run out in successive overs with direct hits from backward point by Graeme Cremer that triggered a mini collapse. But Mashrafee (14) and Arafat Sunny (15) played two cameos to add 28 runs in the final two overs taking Bangladesh to a total which was proved more than enough. The second match of the series will be held at the same ground on Monday.

Source-  http://newagebd.net/173505/sakib-mushfiq-raze-zimbabwe/

Whatmore admires the rising of Bangladesh

Former coach of Bangladesh National Cricket Team who is now guiding Zimbabwe, Dav Whatmore highly appreciated his previous team’s progress in recent times. Talking to the press today Whatmore said, “Bangladesh has been playing well since World Cup and they have been consistent in keeping up the good form.”

This Tuesday, in a press conference held in Mirpur Sher-E-Bangla National Stadium, Whatmore informed, “We need to prove that we are a good team and thus we will have to perform well in the field. We will try to challenge Bangladesh as a strong opponent.”

Whatmore took the responsibility of coaching Bengal tigers in the year of 2003 and got rid of the job in 2007. During his period, Bangladesh had started to make upsets beating strong teams.

After 11 years the scenario has changed as he has visited Bangladesh as the coach of an opponent team. Current form of Zimbabwe is a bit shaky as they have lost a home series to Afghanistan. Being aware of the situation, Dav said, “We are going through a tough time that Bangladesh had gone through in recent years. Team effort is important to overcome the situation.”

According to Whatmore, despite the defeat, there were some good individual performances in the last series which will be taken into account. “It wasn’t a one sided series at all. We will try to do our best in this series as well.”

Source-  http://www.bdcricteam.com/2015/11/whatmore-admires-the-rising-of-bangladesh/

BCB confirm Zimbabwe's November visit

Zimbabwe will play three ODIs and two T20Is in Bangladesh in the first two weeks of November, the BCB announced on Wednesday. All matches of the tour will be held at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.

This will be the first international series to be held in Bangladesh since Australia postponed their two-Test tour on October 1 due to security concerns. South Africa's women's team had also temporarily delayed their arrival for a series, but BCB president Nazmul Hassan confirmed that they will arrive on November 3 to play three ODIs and four T20s against the Bangladesh women's team in Cox's Bazar.