Hungry tigers are always angry. Bengal tigers which now have wisdom teeth are looking hungry for success. Playing wonderfully well Bangladesh has already qualified for the quarterfinal and is now looking hungry for further success no matter which team comes on their way.
Three matches they played against Scotland, England and New Zealand have done enough to attract attention of cricket pundits. This team has quality and intent and is not ready to give an inch without fight. Bangladesh has won everything through battle and is never battle shy to win more.
Bangladesh cricket team and Bangladesh after knocking England out of the world cup is now talking point anywhere you go in Australia .Over the last 10 days we along with a high level Bangladesh Power and Energy Sector travelled extensively in Queensland, NSW and Victoria. From Hotel Marriot at Melbourne to Novotel on the Beach at New Castle, from Mercure Sydney to Bangli Creek Motel at Roma Brisbane we Bangladeshis were received with friendly smile by Australians for the glorious performance of Bengal tigers.
From five star hotels at major cities to farthest corner of country Queensland everyone now knows Bangladesh. The brave boys playing excellent cricket have already put Bangladesh gloriously in the world map. On 19 March 2015 World Champions will find roaring tigers challenging them at MCG . The green and red flag of Bangladesh will again fly smartly at Iconic ground, the melodious national anthem will be sung in the ground and the terrace. What a nostalgic moment of pride it would be for us Bangladeshis all over the world.
ICC now has three blue eyed teams –India, Australia and England .Bangladesh has sent one of them England back home to leak their wounds. There is no guarantee that the second one India may not have to return early. It does not matter what Sourav Gangully and other Indians say Bangladesh team have enough weapons in their arsenal to fight strongly against strong India. The nervous shouting of India amply demonstrates that Tigers could send a strong message to Indian camp. They are visibly shaken.
Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Ajinka Rahane, Suresh Raina and MS Dhoni are also mere mortals. Bangladesh bowling attack whether pace or spin have speed, accuracy, depth and diversity to shackle the Indians. This Bangladesh team inspired by able Commander Mashrafee can hurt Indians with deadly blows.
Gone are those days when Bangladesh could be treated as lambs for slaughter. Bangladesh had sent home much stronger Indian team from 2007 World Cup, Bangladesh had also beaten them at Asian Cup. This Indian team was beaten in few ODIs even just before World Cup by India and England. What transformed the team in World Cup Pool matches may have explanations. But one bad day in the office may cause Dhoni’s men flying back home .If that happens experts must not treat it as an upset .Rather we would say the teams on the basis of performance in this world cup are evenly matched. Bangladesh fielded better and at times bowled better than India. Bangladesh batting so far is comparable.
In the top order Tamim is not consistent and Bangladesh struggled in opening partnership. But brave Soumya and very reliable Mahamudullah are serving the team with brilliant back to back performances .Majestic Mushfique and Super Shakib are in scintillating form. Young Shabbir is a player of the future .Nasir is there to add spices. Bangladesh batting has no worries against just above ordinary Indian attack .Sami, Yadav and Mohit must not panic tigers. Ashwin and Jadeja may find Bangladeshis handling them well. If the drop in pitch is doctored to suit Indian spinners it will assist quality Bangladeshi spinners as well. I do not think whoever thinking of favoring India will take calculative gamble against Sakib and co. If the wicket favors pace Mashrafee, Ruble and Taskin will hurt Indians.
Tigers are aware that Rohit Sharma and Dhawan can destroy any attack on their day, tigers are also aware about world class performer Virat Kohli and Ajinka Rahane .Tigers also knows that Raina and Dhoni through explosive batting take the match away from the opponent .But they are also vulnerable to planned quality bowling and smart fielding. India on 19 March may find that Bangladesh plotted all strategies,
One factor that may prove challenging for Bangladesh is playing in front of 90000 cheering fans .But Bangladesh is experienced of playing in front of large crowd .Moreover, at least 10,000 full throat cheering Bangladeshis will also be there to eye witness the historic event.
Few analysts have already discounted Bangladesh. Few are even talking about India Pakistan semifinal. No one will deny that India on paper is a superior side. They were given opportunity to stay in Australia the longest of any other overseas team prior to world cup .But on their day tigers can be ferocious and lethal . Hungry tigers hunt in anger .So Bangladesh must not be counted off before the match is played. Some have genuine apprehension that ICC may do everything possible to avoid early exit of their cash cow India. We hope everything will happen fairly and honestly – wicket won’t be tailor made for India , umpires would act neutrally .If that is the case Bangladesh will have even chance to surprise many.
My near ones ask me suggest a team for the match. There are little options now. We have to stick with Tamim. It is a crunch match where he has better chances of redeeming, Soumya Sarkar may open with him. He is bold and has wide array of attacking strokes in his repertoire. I would again suggest taking Mominul Haque in the match. This match will require a batsman having solid technique, skill and temperament of batting through the innings so that other stroke makers can bat around him. Bangladesh middle order Mahamudullah ,Mushfique, Shakib would consolidate smartly if top order can set up the platform. Sabbir and Nasir can hurt with hefty blows at late order. We may play with three pacers and Sakib .The fifth bowlers responsibility can be shared by Nasir, Mahamudullah, Shabbir and Sarkar
Team : Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar ,Mominul Haque ,Mahmudullah Riyad ,Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahman , Sabbir Rahman , Nasir Hussain, Mashrafee Bin Murtaza , Rubel Hossain , Taskin Ahmed .
Playing with four specialist bowlers against major team is always risky. If one bowler has off day then it will create huge problem. Bangladesh must not take risk of playing additional spinner. Indians are the best players of spin. How dearly Bangladesh will miss willy spinner Abdur Razzak on the day.
BDST: 1607 HRS, MAR 17, 2015
