The resounding success of three M’s– Mominul Haq, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah Riad- in the just concluded high scoring drawn Chittagong Test of the ongoing Rocket Test Series has unfolded further the curious case of Three M’s of Bangladesh Cricket.
Mominul dubbed as Bangladeshi Bradman, called Mimi by his mates entered into the exclusive club of scoring centuries in either innings of the test. Mushfique playing the sheet anchors role of Bangladesh batting as usual scored 92 in the first innings and produced record third wicket partnership of 236 in the first innings of Bangladesh. The other M Mahmudullah displayed his trademark ice cool temperament. His unbeaten 83 in the first innings recovered Bangladesh first innings from a desperate middle order collapse to 513. After keeping his cool while handling his inexperienced bowling resources on a docile wicket his 28 not out in the second innings also secured an honorable draw. Conspicuously all three M’s became eye shore of team management in the not too distant past .Mominul and Mahmudullah were dropped from test team playing in the centenary test against Sri Lanka. Later both were initially overlooked from the test squad against Australia at home. Media pressure reinstated Mominul but Mahmudullah remained obscured. Relentless pressure was created on Mushfique for quitting two off his three feathers Wicket Keeping and Captaincy. Mister Dependable Mushy for many years remained the best technically equipped Bangladesh batsman in all format. He was also the most successful Bangladesh test captain. But his wicket keeping wavered a little bit. None of the three deserved rough deal by team management. Still Bangladesh team management under EVIL Advise of its former head coach maltreated the three heroes of Bangladesh Cricket. Three M’s are not only three great cricketers they are also three perfect gentleman and easily three Roll Models for young Bangladesh Cricketers. Bangladesh Team management owes an apology to cricket admirers.
Mahmudullah and Mushfique are however part of fabulous five alongside Mashrafee ,Tamim and Shakib who lifted Bangladesh cricket from almost rock bottom to present lively best. They are far from finished .All five are at the peak of their career. All five have still 3-5 to contribute for Bangladesh Cricket. Charismatic Mashrafee still bowls with superb control and leads the team with great skills and determination. Shakib ,Tamim and Mushfique are world class performers. Mahmudullah was the best Bangladesh batsman in 2015 ICC World Cup. He has enviable records in domestic cricket. Yet he was treated very poorly since world cricket .For a while his batting position was chopped and changed. Later at one stage he was dropped . If not his captain Mashrafee intercepted his career could be in great uncertainity. Gone Haturasinghe almost as “FUGITIVE “ from Bangladesh team, his evil influence was almost gone. Mahmudullah became captain, Mushfique started batting fluently and Mominul started playing stress free cricket.
Bangladesh will admire its cricket heroes and would forget Haturasinghe time as bad dream.
Mominul Is Exceptional:
Little statured Mominul Haq Shourab proved exceptional talent since he emerged on the scene. Till his 13 test innings his batting average was second best to all time great Sir Donald Btradman. But advent of ChandikaHaturasinghe started casting dark shadow on Mominul. First he was misused in ICC World Cup 2015. Later gradually he was reduced to a test specialist only .But his captain Mashrafee rightly observed if not mishandled by team management Mominul by this time could grow like CheteswarPujara or Steve Smith. Mominul showed his temperament and class in Chittagong Test scoring two superb centuries. In the fisrt innings his 176 aggressive batting proved what Bangladesh lost in not letting him grow as ideal number three batsman in all format. It was more fitting that he scored his runs against a team which is now masterminded by ChandikaHaturasinghe who almost discarded him from the test team. Hope Mominul will be gradually taken back in ODI and T20 team also .He has skill , temperament and strokes for growing as ideal number three in all format .
BANGLADESH OWES AN APLOLOGY FOR MALTREATING THREE M’S Over the past few months.
The high scoring Chittagong drawn test also questioned the farsightedness of BCB as far as producing ideal test wicket even in bilateral series. Hope Bangladesh has seen for the last time such a diabolically poor wicket for a test.
BDST: 1900 HRS, FEB 5, 2018
AP
