***Official - Sri Lanka in Bangladesh***

[Migara]

Besides, Niall O'Brien has more of an X-factor than Ashraful and Boyd Rankin is so much better than Mortaza it's embarrassing for the latter.

I am LMAO. Nial O'Brien was a cooked chiken when he first faced Murali. Ashraful hit 114 when he first faced him. Gives a good account of the X factor by that comparison.

 

[_Ed_]

Regardless of the eventual losing margin, scoring 413 in the 4th innings against a Sri Lankan attack that included Murali is a feat that Bangladesh can be truly proud of. They deserve to be praised for that effort.

 

[Uppercut]

Honestly, though, have other teams who entered test cricket in the "middle" so to speak, experienced early years any different?

Sri Lanka, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, India (?) etc. all experienced a fairly extended period of minnowhood before they became contenders on the world stage. Then a few standout people showed up to sort of fish them out - Andy Flower and Heath Streak for Zim, Jayasuriya and Desilva for Sri Lanka and fortunes changed (In Zimbabwe's case, they're back down, sadly). Perhaps the handful of people who are showing some decent spirit nowadays despite Bangladesh still losing are reason for hope for the future.

I sincerely doubt Ireland would fare any differently if given test status today. Fact is, you can't give a country with no test history test status and expect them to contend with the other teams in the setup. Not for a very long time.

I'm not saying they would do any differently- surely not- but would they do any worse? If not, why does one team play tests when the other doesn't?

 

[krkode]

I'm not saying they would do any differently- surely not- but would they do any worse? If not, why does one team play tests when the other doesn't?

Yeah, I see your point. Perhaps it has to do with history - maybe Ban have played ODI cricket a lot longer and Ireland just needs to "serve its time" so to speak. Bangladesh also have a fairly long history of upsetting test sides in World Cups, which IMO, is a good measure of how a team will shape up as a test side. Then again, Kenya has also upset a fair few teams in ODIs, and it was kind of neat that they made it to the semis in 2003. Perhaps if Ireland qualifies for a few more world cups and does decently here and there, maybe a super-six qualification, I can see it becoming a serious contender for achieving test status, especially since their players also get good practice in county cricket?

That said, Bangladesh, as poor as the country is, actually has a good chunk of cricket fans. I'm not sure the same can be said about Ireland. Perhaps it's a profitability issue. If Ireland were to host test matches, would enough people show up to make it worth it? Not that Bangladesh is particularly profitable - I actually am not sure what crowds are like in Bangladesh, but I do know Ban is a bit more "cricket-crazy" as it were.

 

[susudear]

Not just fan-following

Yeah, I see your point. Perhaps it has to do with history - maybe Ban have played ODI cricket a lot longer and Ireland just needs to "serve its time" so to speak. Bangladesh also have a fairly long history of upsetting test sides in World Cups, which IMO, is a good measure of how a team will shape up as a test side. Then again, Kenya has also upset a fair few teams in ODIs, and it was kind of neat that they made it to the semis in 2003.

That said, Bangladesh, as poor as the country is, actually has a good chunk of cricket fans. I'm not sure the same can be said about Ireland. Perhaps it's a profitability issue. If Ireland were to host test matches, would enough people show up to make it worth it? Not that Bangladesh is particularly profitable - I actually am not sure what crowds are like in Bangladesh, but I do know Ban is a bit more "cricket-crazy" as it were.

Bangladesh has a rich cricket history. The Dhaka League was popular before Bangladesh became a test side, and International players used to participate in that.

 

[Durham_CCC]

Good effort that today by Bangladesh,showing good progress IMO.

Could anyone supply highlights to the game ? No channels in England where broadcasting it

 

[NUFAN]

So pleased for Rahim that he made runs also.

Good on Ashraful for making a century.

And congrats to Shakib, he'd be a walk up start in the Australian team and he'd have to be first Bangladeshi to ever be good enough to make an Aussie side.

 

[Atreyu]

So pleased for Rahim that he made runs also.

Good on Ashraful for making a century.

And congrats to Shakib, he'd be a walk up start in the Australian team and he'd have to be first Bangladeshi to ever be good enough to make an Aussie side.

Habibul Bashar>Shakib

At least in my opinion

EDIT: Just looking at stats and if Shakib can keep up how he is playing he has more potential the Bashar

 

[NUFAN]

Habibul Bashar>Shakib

At least in my opinion

EDIT: Just looking at stats and if Shakib can keep up how he is playing he has more potential the Bashar

You could argue in some ways that Bashar was better [I don't think he was] however he wouldn't have made the Australian team, Shakib would have a much better case.

I know not everything revolves around Australia, it's just interesting to see a player from the worst team who is good enough to play for my team.

 

[Anil]

Btw, is it just me, or have Bangladesh started to come on a bit? Especially at home? They came close to beating NZ, and are giving Sri Lanka a real run for their money by batting hard into the final day and posting 400+.

it's probably just you..., seriously let them win one against a good team before making such predictions...the way people project the slighest effort from this team as a gain or progress reminds me of queen latifah talking about the "historically low expectations" for palin in the snl spoof of the vp debate...

 

[cricman]

You could argue in some ways that Bashar was better [I don't think he was] however he wouldn't have made the Australian team, Shakib would have a much better case.

I know not everything revolves around Australia, it's just interesting to see a player from the worst team who is good enough to play for my team.

If you look at Bashars Conversion Rate it really makes you think what could have been and He lost all his reflexes in his last year in International Cricket

50: 22
100: 3

Averaged 35 until his last year where he lost all his reflexes.

 

[susudear]

Would have averaged 40

If you look at Bashars Conversion Rate it really makes you think what could have been and He lost all his reflexes in his last year in International Cricket

50: 22
100: 3

Averaged 35 until his last year where he lost all his reflexes.

He'd average 40, but for his stupid fixation with the hook shot he never really mastered.

 

[StumpMic]

Once again debatable. U19 cricket shows how much is your bench strength. Bangladesh were able to put up a team to score 400+ against 4th ranking test side, and that was after they lost a number of players to ICL. Add Alok Kapali and Shareer Nafees to that side instead of Kayes and Raqib, suddenely that batting side looks even better. Both these when losing to ICL were on top form, and Kapali hit a scintillating century against India few weeks back in the Asia cup.

Well that is not a fair comparison. I very much doubt that this is a full strength SL side that is in bangladesh. SL tried a few youngsters in ZIM and I am sure they are doing the same in Bangladesh. Also SL players will likely have taken these series against minnow sides very lightly. I doubt there is the same intensity that you would see in a match against quality opposition.

 

[Migara]

Have you ever noticed Murali's intensity going down? I have never seen. He's so hungry of wickets. But Bangla boys played him very well. Infact they played him better than what England did few seasons back.

 

[StumpMic]

Have you ever noticed Murali's intensity going down? I have never seen. He's so hungry of wickets. But Bangla boys played him very well. Infact they played him better than what England did few seasons back.

One man does not make a test team. Also you say that Bangladesh played Murali well? He got 10 wickets in the last test didn't he? Now I know what your going to say - Murali is supposed to take all 20 wickets . But that is the point I am making. SL is trying out new bowlers and stuff. And they are the ones taking some of the load off Murali.

Lets take a look at the bowling attack in the last match

Specialists:

Murali
Vaas
Herath - new comer
Dhammika - new comer

All rounder:

Dilshan


So you have two experienced specialist bowlers, two newcomers and an all rounder. That is NOT a full strength SL bowling attack. No Mendis, Malinga or Fernando. No Maharoof or kulesekara.

 

[Migara]

One man does not make a test team. Also you say that Bangladesh played Murali well? He got 10 wickets in the last test didn't he? Now I know what your going to say - Murali is supposed to take all 20 wickets . But that is the point I am making. SL is trying out new bowlers and stuff. And they are the ones taking some of the load off Murali.

Lets take a look at the bowling attack in the last match

Specialists:

Murali
Vaas
Herath - new comer
Dhammika - new comer

All rounder:

Dilshan


So you have two experienced specialist bowlers, two newcomers and an all rounder. That is NOT a full strength SL bowling attack. No Mendis, Malinga or Fernando. No Maharoof or kulesekara.

Let's put it like this. The 2nd innigs was Muralis least effective ever spell against BAN. Wickets were gifted at him rather than earning them.

Then Herath is not a new comer. He has been in FCC for nearly 10 seasons. And Mendis is a bigger new comer than Herath

 

[JBH001]

Have you ever noticed Murali's intensity going down? I have never seen. He's so hungry of wickets. But Bangla boys played him very well. Infact they played him better than what England did few seasons back.

I dont know about that Migara. I think Murali is bowling with a lesser degree of intensity, and has been in something of a decline over the last 2 years or so - at least compared to 1998 - 2007 when I think he was at his very best. Although, dont get me wrong, I think he is still bowling well, and greater support from bowlers like Mendis will help keep him playing until he gets to the 800 wicket mark.

You are right, however, that the Bangla boys played him effectively - but you might almost expect that considering how often they have played against him, and Ashraful in particular, has always handled Murali considerably well.

 

[cricman]

This Opening Spell from Mashrafe is awesome

 

[NUFAN]

Bangladesh have Sri Lanka 2/7 off 2.4 overs.

Mortaza the destroyer with both wickets including Sangakarra for 5.

Carn Bangladesh!

 

[Athlai]

Mortazzzzaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!