BanglaLink
Inside Cricket with Wasim
Akram Inswinger
It was expected that Sri Lanka would win the match convincingly on the fourth day. They scored 130 odd runs inside one session to complete the job and take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. Actually there was hardly any room for the home bowlers to do anything extraordinary because the target was very small and mind it, the wicket was still very good for batting. But the match definitely could have been finished in a much better manner for Bangladesh. The home team fought all the way on the first two days and even on the third morning but yet another second innings debacle spoiled the early initiatives. Bangladesh had a realistic chance to be more competitive in the match and keep the pressure on their opposition to ensure an exciting finish if there had been further 100 runs on board. It is not so easy to chase 250 or something like that in the fourth innings whatever the condition is. What also impressed me most that the Bangladeshi bowlers looked good in the second innings in spite of defending a small total.Bangladesh have already played 41 Test matches but still they have been doing the same old mistakes. They should learn quickly about the technique of occupying the crease as long as possible to survive at this level. What I noticed in their batting was that they either tried to block the ball or go for a big shot, which is not a good habit in the longer version game. They should get used to taking singles and rotate the strike to settle in the middle and the habit will definitely help them to handle even great bowlers of the world in future. There is no need to always think about big partnerships right at the moment because even a few small ones can make a good impact in the overall performance of the team. I don't know why the Bangladeshi batsmen have been repeatedly making the same mistakes. It could be a psychological problem. They should understand one thing that the coach can work with them but he can't implement the things in the middle. Players should take the responsibility to correct their own mistakes. There is no scope to be casual at the highest level of the game. Despite a disappointing finish, I think Shahadat Hossain's bowling gave a little bit comfort at to home tent. The young guy looked very well and I believe that he has the potential to be a very good fast bowler after Mashrafee Bin Mortuza. Syed Rasel was also impressive but he has to be stronger and a bit faster to take the new ball. I think it is possible to make him a good paceman with some changes. On the other hand, Sri Lanka might have achieved an easy sail on the fourth day riding on young opener Michael Vandort's half century but the tall opener still needs a lot of improvement to be a good opener. He was struggling against the spinners even after crossing the fifty-mark. It was Kumar Sangakkara who has impressed me most in the Test as well as the one-day series. Sangakkara is one of my favourite batsmen because of his attitude towards the game. He is now in very good touch and he could once again be the danger man for Bangladesh in the second Test. At last I want to salute one player and it is none other than the champion spinner Muralidaran, who became the first bowler in the world to bag 1000 international wickets.
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