Bangladesh v India Dec 9-27

[Zainub]

The stadiums in Bangladesh, and there are more than just the 2 BDM has mentioned here, are very much under rated. A/c to a few journalists facilties there are some of the best you are ever likely to come across around the test world, especially if we speaking strictly in terms of how the foreign journalists are treated in the press box. Andrew McLean, a presenter of The Cricket Club, New Zealand's only national radio cricket show (www.cricketclub.co.nz) who also writes for Cricket Info, was full of praise for the Bangladeshi athourities recently when NZ were touing Bangladesh. And that was a feeling sahred by another well known cricket journalists cum broadcaster Harsha Bhogle that aired similar sentiments about the facilities there last time India toured there for a one-day series also involving the hosts and SA.

And very recently, the ICC's president Ehsan Mani praised the professionalism with which Bangladesh hosted the under 19 world cup, I guess there was a full house to witness the final in between West Indies and Pakistan, I don't know many other countries where you would witness a full house for an under 19 game. The people of Bangladesh are just as passionate about cricket as else where in the subcontinent.

[Zainub]

BDM, I think I read somewhere that one of either the Banghubadu Stadium or the M Aziz Stadium was being renovated , and would from now on be used for football matches, and hence the cricket would be shifted to another larger stadium just near by, if there is any truth in that stament, which stadium is that, the dhaka one or the chittagong one?

[bdmoderator]

Originally Posted by Zainub Razvi

BDM, I think I read somewhere that one of either the Banghubadu Stadium or the M Aziz Stadium was being renovated , and would from now on be used for football matches, and hence the cricket would be shifted to another larger stadium just near by, if there is any truth in that stament, which stadium is that, the dhaka one or the chittagong one?

Ya, Zainub Razvi, This is true. Both stadium will handled over to Bangladesh Football Federation.

Banglabandhu Stadium has handled to Bangladesh Football Federation and Cricket shifted to Mirpur Stadium, Dhaka. It is also a big stadium like Bangabandhu Stadium, Dhaka. New stadium is not so near to BNS. It takes 30-35 minutes to go New stadium from BNS.

M.A. Aziz staduim is also handled to Bangladesh Football Federation and Cricket shifted to Chittagong Divisional Stadium, Chittagong. It is also a big stadium. It is too near to M.A. Aziz Stadium. New one is more beautiful then the previous one.

Both stadiums are preparing to play cricket only with high facilities. Before that, Cricket and Football shared the same stadium and it was a great problem to develop cricket. Now it will help us to develop cricket.

Bangladesh also makes several stadiums for cricket already. These are- Shahid Chandu Stadium, Bogra; Khulna Divisional Stadium, Khulna; Fatullah Stadium, Narayangong. Fatullah Stadium is designed as Centurion Park of South Africa. It's too cool. But ICC denied both three stadiums for some different reasons. there are also some more stadiums in making for cricket.

[Maranello]

BDM... thank you for the info, I appreciate it, interesting reading it.

Maybe cricinfo has incorrect info, but according to them the capacity of Banglabandhu stadium is 36,000 and has never been as big as 100,000 etc, in general cricinfo seems a reliable source. They also have some pictures of the ground and it does not look like Eden Gardens or MCG at all!

[Zainub]

Very pleased to know all that. The itenary at the top of this thread mentions India play test matches in Dhaka and Chitagong, doesn't say in which stadium, are the going to take place in the new ones?

[Maranello]

The cricinfo verdict on Day 1 of the First Test focuses mainly on two 20 year olds - Pathan and Ashraful from Bangladesh - so definitely two to watch!

Full article here.

On Ashraful :

Originally Posted by cricinfo

Ashraful, who scored a century on his debut and shared the Man-of-the-Match award with Muttiah Muralitharan, has tended to be a hot-and-cold player, mixing occasional brilliance with baffling mediocrity. But today he gave full demonstration of his talent, playing in a calm, unhurried way as all else collapsed around him. Till Mohammad Rafique came to join him and scored freely with some characteristic lusty hits, Ashraful seemed to be batting on a different plane from his team-mates.

On Pathan:

Originally Posted by cricinfo

Pathan is the same age as Ashraful. He has the face of a chocolate-box hero, but the mind of a cool assassin. He plays his cricket with the passion of a youth, but the nous of a seasoned pro. His Test figures are misleading, because he has bowled better than the numbers suggest.

And something on swing bowling:

Originally Posted by cricinfo

Pathan is a rare talent, because he is the purveyor of a dying art. Pace bowlers these days are taught to pitch the ball on a length rather than try to swing it. Swing bowling takes skill and courage, for it demands the bowler to pitch the ball up and risk punishment. Pathan was fortunate to have got his break early, because toiling on barren domestic pitches could have sapped his spirit and changed his aspirations. He was fortunate also to have encountered Wasim Akram on his maiden international tour. Akram shared his knowledge willingly and generously, and Pathan fed on him like a hungry child. Every time Pathan claimed a wicket with his swing today, there was a gleam in Akram's voice in the commentary box. Left-arm swing bowling is alive and well.

[Rachael]

What encouraging news!

The only bit that's a tad dscouraging is the "Pace bowlers these days are taught to pitch the ball on a length rather than try to swing it": that's the product of short term thinking from people desperate to get the best out of a player before they are anywhere near ready to give it.

[Occasional Fan]

Originally Posted by Rachael

What encouraging news!

Another bit is that Bangladesh are not just lying down and dying here. They had India on 68-3, with none of India's first three impressing much. Tendulkar presently just short of a ton and Ganguly on 50 have steadied the ship, but it's clearly not been plain sailing from the start.

[SSA.]

Originally Posted by Occasional Fan

Another bit is that Bangladesh are not just lying down and dying here.

That is the most heartening part so far. BD are putting up a fight to the best of their abilities and experience. There is nothing more boring than a one sided game.

Well Tendulkar has got to his century finally and equals Sunil Gavaskar's record. Lets hope he goes on to make big score. A good innings is long overdue.

[Maranello]

Originally Posted by SSA.

Lets hope he goes on to make big score. A good innings is long overdue.

With I am not sure I agree with the received wisdom on SRT's lack of form. Yes, he has not been as consistent for the past 2 years as he was for the 12 before that, but every player goes through lean patches, and it's how they respond to them that marks out the great.

Tendulkar's scores in the calendar year 2004, excluding the current Test: 241*, 60*, 194*, 2, 8, 1, 8, 2, 5, 55, 3, 20, 32*. And he was returning from injury for part of the year, which I am sure affected him in the two Tests of the Australia series at least.

Nevertheless, SRT, before this Test, played 8 matches, hd 13 innings, scored 631 runs, at an average of 70 - most batsmen would kill for that! He crossed 50 on four of those 13 innings; not excellent, but passable. And when he scores 50+, he often does make it count.

And he is on 159* in the current innings, making it five 50s in 14 innings - a slump? What slump!