Three pacers Tigers’ bet again

Bangladesh are likely go into the second one-day international against Zimbabwe in Chittagong today with the same combination despite their decision of fielding three pace bowlers, which nearly backfired in the opening game. Bangladesh decorated their bowling attack with three pacers – Mashrafee bin Murtaza, Al-Amin Hossain and Rubel Hossain – considering the dew factor, but it hardly paid any dividends as Zimbabwe made a flying start until spinners put a brake. The three pacers gave 68 runs together in 11 overs they bowled with Mashrafee, the only one to get some success, and that too only in his third spell when he struck twice.

Mushfiqur Rahim took a stunning catch in one hand to dismiss Zimbabwe’s top scorer Brendan Taylor and give Mashrafee his first wicket before the skipper scalped his counterpart Elton Chigumbura. Al-Amin Hossain could not given the ball after he went for 21 runs in his first two overs while Rubel Hossain, who was chosen ahead of Shafiul Islam, coming to bowl as the sixth bowler, conceded 14 runs in his three overs. Chief selector Faruk Ahmed indicated that they will give the pacers another chance to prove their worth. ‘I won’t say it [the decision of playing three pacers] backfired, instead think it just did not work according to our plans,’ said Faruk. ‘We always try to form the team on the basis of present day condition. There were lot of dews earlier but that was not the case in the first game.’ The Tigers apparently opted for three pacers to minimize the effects of dew that often makes the spinners ineffective. However, Bangladesh spinners, led by Sakib al Hasan, showed that they are capable of overcoming the problem with their skills, sharing eight of 10 Zimbabwe wickets among them. The Bangladesh Cricket Board also came up with a help brining the schedule of the match forward by one hour so that dew can have lesser impact on the result. The remaining four matches of the series will start at 12:30pm instead of 1:30pm. Skipper Masharfee said the decision came as a relief for the home side. ‘Thankfully, the match will start an hour early from the second game,’ Mashrafee said after the first match.

The paceman also credited his luck for not having that much dew on the opening game. ‘I think we were quite lucky that there wasn’t excessive dew. The spinners could grip the ball as it was drying up rather quickly,’ said Mashrafee adding that ‘but it is still a concern.’ Mashrafee also urged his players to lift their performances as the match was won by Sakib al Hasan’s extraordinary performance (101 runs and 4-41) aided by Mushfiqur Rahim and debutant Sabbir Rahman’s batting. ‘There is still a room for improvement. We won on the back of two or three players. The top-order has to score runs, like they did in the Test series. We have to start well with the ball as well. ‘We have to stop relying on one guy. We have to get rid of this mentality. Everyone has to try and contribute,’ said Mashrafee. Mashrafee played down the effect of toss, which continues to betray him. ‘Winning the toss has an advantage,’ he said. You can then bowl in peace. But it doesn’t mean losing the toss is losing the game.’

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