Mahmudullah outshone Mushfiqur Rahim in their first meeting since the
Bangladesh Cricket Board settled the captaincy issue as the Bangladesh
‘A’ team lifted the BCB Cup with a four-wicket win over the national
team at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Wednesday.
The BCB preferred Mushfique over Mahmudullah for the captaincy of the national team, but the all-rounder, who was appointed as vice-captain, showed that he too has the ability to lead a side from the front when he smashed 78 not-out to take his A team to 187-6 after the bowlers dismissed the senior side for 185 runs.
Mahmudullah was also at his brilliant best in the field, taking a spectacular catch to dismiss none other than Mushfique as well as picking up the timely wicket of Alok Kapali.
Kapali was looking in ominous touch after seeing off the initial danger posed by the A team bowlers before Mahumudullah struck, forcing the elegant stroke-maker to offer a return catch that effectively ended the Tigers’ hopes for a 200-plus total.
Kapali strengthened his claim for a place in the national team for the West Indies series with his 68 off 77 balls that not only provided Bangladesh’s innings with a fresh impetus but also provided huge entertainment to the spectators, who had paid the BCB a minimum of Tk 10 to watch the game.
The match looked to be a one-sided affair with the Tigers slumping to 5-74 before Kapali and Sohrawardi Shuvo added 73 runs for the seventh wicket to save their blushes.
Newly-elected national captain Mushjfiqur Rahim distributed sweets in both the dressing rooms before the game started and his joy doubled as he won his first toss after which he readily decided to bat first.
However, the festivity in the Bangladesh dressing room did not last too long as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals, although they were given a steady start by Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes who added 39 runs for the opening wicket.
Farhad Reza gave the A team their first breakthrough when he had Tamim caught by Shahadat for 19 runs, but Imrul did not let the Tigers realise the damage as he struck two sixes and a four until Elias Sunny brought his inning to an abrupt end on 26.
Mohammad Ashraful also showed a positive intent hitting two fours but, as he always does, played a reckless pull-shot to be caught at deep square leg by Roqibul Hassan to be dismissed for 12 runs.
Shuvagoto Hom followed him in the next over for a duck, giving Roqibul another catch, this time at short-fine leg off the bowling of Sunny, who bowled superbly to concede only 13 runs in his eight overs for two wickets.
The Tigers were hoping that an in-form Mushfique with an average of 129 in the tournament would stem the rot but he too failed, owing to Mahmudullah’s brilliant catch. His dismissal for five left the Tigers tottering at 74 for five, raising the prospect of a one-sided final.
However, Alok had different plans in his mind.
The all-rounder showed signs of returning to form in the first match of the tournament with 22 not out, though it could not have been enough for one looking to make a comeback in the national team. To win the heart of the selectors, he needed something big and that was exactly what Alok was aiming for in this game. And he finally delivered a performance that could seal his place in the side.
The BCB preferred Mushfique over Mahmudullah for the captaincy of the national team, but the all-rounder, who was appointed as vice-captain, showed that he too has the ability to lead a side from the front when he smashed 78 not-out to take his A team to 187-6 after the bowlers dismissed the senior side for 185 runs.
Mahmudullah was also at his brilliant best in the field, taking a spectacular catch to dismiss none other than Mushfique as well as picking up the timely wicket of Alok Kapali.
Kapali was looking in ominous touch after seeing off the initial danger posed by the A team bowlers before Mahumudullah struck, forcing the elegant stroke-maker to offer a return catch that effectively ended the Tigers’ hopes for a 200-plus total.
Kapali strengthened his claim for a place in the national team for the West Indies series with his 68 off 77 balls that not only provided Bangladesh’s innings with a fresh impetus but also provided huge entertainment to the spectators, who had paid the BCB a minimum of Tk 10 to watch the game.
The match looked to be a one-sided affair with the Tigers slumping to 5-74 before Kapali and Sohrawardi Shuvo added 73 runs for the seventh wicket to save their blushes.
Newly-elected national captain Mushjfiqur Rahim distributed sweets in both the dressing rooms before the game started and his joy doubled as he won his first toss after which he readily decided to bat first.
However, the festivity in the Bangladesh dressing room did not last too long as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals, although they were given a steady start by Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes who added 39 runs for the opening wicket.
Farhad Reza gave the A team their first breakthrough when he had Tamim caught by Shahadat for 19 runs, but Imrul did not let the Tigers realise the damage as he struck two sixes and a four until Elias Sunny brought his inning to an abrupt end on 26.
Mohammad Ashraful also showed a positive intent hitting two fours but, as he always does, played a reckless pull-shot to be caught at deep square leg by Roqibul Hassan to be dismissed for 12 runs.
Shuvagoto Hom followed him in the next over for a duck, giving Roqibul another catch, this time at short-fine leg off the bowling of Sunny, who bowled superbly to concede only 13 runs in his eight overs for two wickets.
The Tigers were hoping that an in-form Mushfique with an average of 129 in the tournament would stem the rot but he too failed, owing to Mahmudullah’s brilliant catch. His dismissal for five left the Tigers tottering at 74 for five, raising the prospect of a one-sided final.
However, Alok had different plans in his mind.
The all-rounder showed signs of returning to form in the first match of the tournament with 22 not out, though it could not have been enough for one looking to make a comeback in the national team. To win the heart of the selectors, he needed something big and that was exactly what Alok was aiming for in this game. And he finally delivered a performance that could seal his place in the side.
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