On crutches, but hopeful

"This many people usually don't turn up to see a fitness test at six in the morning. I'm sure they are here because it's happening at the Bangabandhu [National] Stadium," said Shahriar Nafees, the current cricket operations manager, after the national team's fitness test at the famed venue yesterday. 

Thirty-five cricketers turned up at the Bangabandhu National Stadium (BNS) yesterday before 6:00 am for a physical assessment test, which required them to run a 1600m race in the newly installed athletic tracks.

This running session was the first professional cricket-related activity at the venue since January 31, 2015. The BNS did host the inauguration ceremony of the ODI World Cup in 2011, but there was no on-field cricketing activity at the venue.

Although the BNS has been a football stadium since 2006, it remains a venue deeply rooted in cricketing history.

Even before Bangladesh came into existence, this venue hosted Pakistan's inaugural Test match against India in 1955. A total of seven Tests took place at BNS, which was then called the Dhaka Stadium, in the pre-independence period where many legends of the game graced the venue. Bangladesh's Test journey also began here in November 2000 against India.

It is only the second cricket stadium after Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), which hosted the first ever Test between England and Australia in 1877, to host the inaugural Test of two nations.

Other than Mahmudullah Riyad and Mushfiqur Rahim, none of the other cricketers present at the BNS yesterday have ever played at the venue. Even Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur's experience is quite limited, with the former playing here in a domestic tournament back in 2004 and the latter taking part in some age-level cricket.

For Shahriar and the current team manager Nafees Iqbal, however, memories of their playing days at the venue came rushing back once they stepped out on the field.

Nafees' lone Test century came at the venue in 2004, when he batted almost eight hours for his 121, which ensured a draw for Bangladesh against Zimbabwe and, in the process, their maiden Test series win. Shahriar, on the other hand, never played an international game at the venue but had played many domestic matches here. He still remembered which gate of the venue would be shut down if there was a risk of a fan riot after a heated match at the club level.

"My domestic career began here. The pivotal innings of my career, the century for the Under-19 team, came here," said the former Bangladesh team opener.
Cricket's return to BNS, even if it was for just one morning, happened because of the newly appointed strength and conditioning coach of the Bangladesh team, Nathan Kiely.

The Australian coach wanted to assess the fitness levels of the cricketers and felt that having them run 1600m on an athletics track was the best way to achieve it.

The 35 cricketers were divided into two groups for the run. Pacer Tanzim Hasan Sakib won in one group while his fellow pacer Nahid Rana easily won in the second one and did the iconic Usain Bolt pose after his win to the raucous applause of his teammates.

Mahmudullah, the eldest of the bunch, came last but the 38-year-old received cheers from everyone as he crossed the finish line. The second oldest of the bunch, the 36-year-old Mushfiqur, however, outran many of the youngsters and finished the race behind Tanzim.

Bangladesh Cricket Board trainer Iftekharul Islam said that the race was a way to assess the fitness level of the cricketers ahead of a busy schedule, where the national team is set to play at least 29 matches across three formats in the next seven months.

Shakib Al Hasan, who is in the USA and Mustafizur Rahman, who is busy in the Indian Premier League, could not be a part of the session while Soumya Sarkar, Taijul Islam and Taskin Ahmed were absent due to injury.

Bangladesh are going into the upcoming T20 World Cup with quite a few young guns in the squad, led by a young skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto. But it is two of their veterans -- Mahmudullah Riyad and Shakib Al Hasan -- who could give the side a lift with their experience in the USA and the West Indies.

Mahmudullah's journey to this World Cup was one of determination. Unable to make the squad in the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia, Mahmudullah showed the virtue of remaining steadfast in his own plans, staying away from media attention, and being keen on following his own process to earn back his place in the lineup for the 2023 ODI World Cup before he made the cut for the 2024 T20 World Cup.

While many of his veteran colleagues such as Mushfiqur Rahim, Tamim Iqbal, and Mashrafe Bin Mortaza have not been in the T20 picture for a while now, Mahmudullah's resilience has seen him not only earn his place back in the side but also made him a crucial cog in the Tigers' machine.

In the last 12 months, Mahmudullah averaged 47.66, the highest among Bangladesh batters who bat in the middle order (from wickets 4-7). His strike rate is also the highest amongst batters in the middle-order who at least played five matches during this period.

Fondly called the 'silent killer', Mahmudullah's steps may have been silent but his impact had been felt by the team management. Head coach Chandika Hathurusingha said that a change in approach worked for him, and, come the end of the innings, his role would be a crucial one for the Tigers in the shortest format.

"He's been playing regularly but his come back, I thought, was strong. Lately, if you see, he's playing his best cricket. He's changed his batting approach a lot and is in good form. His role is going to be batting in the middle order, probably be the enforcer in the middle as well as playing the role of a finisher, which he has done remarkably well in all formats and in the domestic matches as well lately," Hathurusingha said on Wednesday at the press conference during which the World Cup squad was named.

The veteran had also earned the board's trust and the high-ups have ensured him that they would not push for his retirement after the World Cup. "We haven't spoken about these things (his retirement from T20Is after the World Cup). I don't think there is anything like that because he is still playing and the way he is playing now is brilliant," BCB president Nazmul Hassan Papon told reporters following a recent meeting with the player.

Along with Mahmudullah, another experienced campaigner in Shakib's role will be vital for Bangladesh in crunch moments. In what could be both the stalwarts' last dance at a World Cup, Shakib, and Mahmudullah would be expected to make an impact not only through their performances but also by spreading their knowledge of the game among a rather inexperienced and young side.

Shakib, who recently returned to the T20I lineup after a 10-month gap, led the side in both the T20 World Cups in Australia and the ODI World Cup in India in 2023. This time, Shakib's leadership would be spread across a different arc, not related to just on-field decisions.

Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto did not feign to have knowledge of their retirement plans but felt the younger stars needed to give those two some 'good memories' in their final years.

"What we will want is that they spread their experience among the other players so that the small improvements can be made," Shanto had said about Shakib and Mahmudullah.

The Tigers' young squad would certainly be looking up to the two veterans' experience to guide them.

Former Bangladesh skipper Tamim Iqbal suddenly appeared in the press box yesterday at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, just before the Tigers' second T20I against hosts India at the venue.

Tamim, who has been working as a commentator for Star Sports in the ongoing series, had a chat with the media before his commentary duties as he addressed some questions from the media on specific issues.

The first T20I of the series in Gwalior showed that there was a disparity in batting prowess between the two teams. Tigers' captain Najmul Hossain Shanto said wickets back home were a reason for the gap in skill even if it was not the only reason.

Tamim felt not much had been done about making changes when such complaints came from players.

"Who has taken any initiative? Whether it's the cricket board or management or players or whoever. So until and unless we don't take that initiative, maybe after two series you will hear the same thing. Maybe from me too. It's important to take the initiative," Tamim said.

There had been speculations about Tamim becoming a Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) director, but the cricketer clarified that he is not thinking about coming to the board at the moment.

"I'm doing commentary now, then I will focus on cricket. I'm not thinking about that right now (director)," he told the reporters in Delhi.

Tamim was asked whether seniors sometimes fail to understand the gravity of retiring in the best way possible, downplaying their own legacy in the process. Mahmdullah Riyad announced on the eve of the second T20I against India that he would be retiring from the format at the end of the series, leading to questions about whether he could have ended his T20I career after the last T20I World Cup and not in an away bilateral series.

Earlier on this tour, Shakib also announced his retirement plans.

"Whenever anyone retires, it's not pleasant to hear or talk about that. Since I have spent so much time with them [Shakib Al Hasan and Riyad], of course, I feel bad. Also, I feel proud of both of them for whatever they have achieved in international cricket and whatever they have done for Bangladesh. You can criticise them the whole day but you cannot take away those things [their achievements]," Tamim said.

Tamim himself has not retired from two formats -- Test and ODI. However, he has not donned the red and green jersey since opting out of the ODI World Cup in 2023. Asked how he will focus on cricket before the upcoming Bangladesh Premier League, he said: "I will go from here and have two months which I will use to prepare for BPL."

Bangladesh batter Mahmudullah Riyad said on Tuesday that he had no regrets looking back on his career after the 38-year-old announced he will retire from T20Is after the completion of the ongoing three-match T20I series against India. 

"No, never. I have never ever regretted at any stage or point of my life playing for Bangladesh," Mahmudullah told reporters in the pre-match press conference ahead of the second T20I in Delhi tomorrow.

"I've always said to myself and my team as well, I always want to be a team man no matter who the oppositions are. I tried to do it for the team. But I never regretted it. Never."

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"I have no regrets, not a single bit. I think playing for Bangladesh for so many years, quite a good thing personally. As much as I've played T20Is, I probably made my debut in 2007, it's been 17 years. I don't know how good I could do for the team, but I tried my level best. I tried to serve the team."

There had been speculations about the 38-year-old's future in the T20I side which is aiming to find their feet for the 2026 T20 World Cup. It only intensified after skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto promised "a new approach" and hinted that the veteran may discuss his future with the selectors ahead of the first match.

Mahmudullah, who made his T20I debut in 2007, has played 139 matches for Bangladesh, the most for the country, amassing 2395 runs – the second-highest after Shakib Al Hasan's 2551 - at an average of 23.48 and a strike rate of 117.74. 
 

Jaker Ali Anik produced one of the finest knocks for Bangladesh in T20Is, but in the end there was a hint of regret as the Tigers fell short by three runs in the first T20I against Sri Lanka in Sylhet on Monday.

Sylhet's home boy Jaker showed composure and execution to keep the equation tantalisingly close after Sri Lanka had mustered 206. Yet, despite a shabby start, the hosts were in fact ahead of the visitors in terms of runs after the 16th over was bowled during the chase.

Jaker made the impossible look realistic in the death overs after Mahmudullah Riyad's dismissal saw the Tigers lose their fifth wicket for 115 runs in the 14th over.

Mahmudullah, who had struck a 31-ball 54, had initially kept any semblance of hope after Bangladesh stuttered to 68 for four in the ninth over.

"Riyad bhai told me to bat normally. I didn't have any extra plans," Jaker said at the post-match press conference.

"He was getting boundaries with calculative risks. It freed me up. It made life easier for me," the 26-year-old added.

Jaker raced to 50 off 25, initially scoring 11 off his first 10 deliveries when Mahmudullah was there.

"When Riyad bhai was taking chances, my plan was to ensure that we would get 10 or 12 runs in an over. This was my role with Riyad bhai at the crease. I shifted my gear after he got out," Jaker said.

He was immense, particularly taking on Matheesha Pathirana as he and Mahedi Hasan added 65 for the sixth wicket.

Jaker comes from a sporting family and interestingly, his sister Shakila Boby, who was Habiganj district women's team's captain, had attended the game and was at the press conference as a local journalist. His sister asked a question about the home crowd cheering him on.

"Apu, I have always loved playing at this venue. I made my first-class debut on this ground. I know the wicket and atmosphere of this place. It was all good but it would have been great had we won the game," he replied.

The lower-order batter had been mentally preparing himself for his national team call-up but was not too pleased at not getting the victory.

"[Najmul Hossain] Shanto told me to be mentally prepared when Aliss Al Islam got injured. I was prepared for what was to come.

"If I had scored 10 or 12 runs in a winning effort, I would have been more pleased. I played well but a win would have made me happier," he said.

But Jaker's innings would help Tigers to take the blow on the chin with two more T20Is left.

"Losing is always heart-breaking. I didn't sleep the night after losing the BPL final. I would have felt great if we could have won today. I am planning for the next match already. We can take plenty of positives from today's game," he said.

The final over made the difference as Bangladesh could not manage 12 runs after Jaker left.

"I was on strike when we needed 10 off the last four balls. I was confident that we could win the game. I was playing a good innings. I didn't connect the ball and it went to hand," he defined the fine margins of an agonising defeat for the Tigers.