Mashrafee, Shahadat show the way
May 22nd, 2007
Like any partnership it is built over a period of time. Mashrafee bin Murtaza and Shahadat Hossain might be bowling as a pair for only the fourth time in the longer-version, but the duo showed on Monday that they lack no shortage of understanding, especially after the fourth day of the rain-affected first Test against India at the Chittagong Divisional Stadium.
They forced the tourists to declare the innings earlier than what they had hoped for, saved Bangladesh from the follow-on and also took two early second-innings’ wickets.
In the context of the match each contribution was very important, but their follow-on saving 77-run ninth-wicket partnership will standout as vital for Bangladesh’s cause.
When Shahadat joined Mashrafee in the crease Bangladesh had lost their eighth wicket and still needed 39 runs to avoid the follow on.
In one-day cricket, Shahadat has more wickets than runs and his Test batting average was previously 6.11. So, very few expected him to survive and save Bangladesh, although the pacer said he always backed himself.
‘It was a very good wicket for batting. Somehow our top-order batsmen failed to reap the benefits, but I thought we (Mashrafee) could still do it. We kept on urging each other and play each over as it came,’ said Shahadat.
Shahadat, who contributed 31, watched as his partner scored a career-best 79.
It was Mashrafee’s maiden half-century in Test cricket. Afterwards Shahadat praised the Narail showman.
‘To me Mashrafee is the best Bangladesh batsman at the moment,’ he said.
Similarly Mashrafee also cheered his partner.
‘When Rajib (Shahdat) came to the wicket, we had a small chat which helped me a lot to calm down,’ said Mashrafee adding he had no regrets
missing a maiden Test
century.
‘After the tea break, I was instructed to save the follow-on and try to score a fifty. I am happy that I did both,’ said Mashrafee, who also took 4-97 with the ball.
‘Yes, getting a century was possible but to do that Shahadat also needed to score a fifty. Once he got out I lost hope,’ he said.
‘The important thing is that we saved the top- order’s face. Now we want to draw the match,’ said Mashrafee.
‘I have no complaints against any batsmen. Perhaps it was not their day but who knows that they come good tomorrow. Maybe on another day they will cover up my failure,’ smiled Mashrafee.
May 22nd, 2007 at 1:43 am
This is the common picture of Bangladesh team. If the bolwers do well, the batsmand do the opposite. They win when both to do well to their full potential .