More 'wonders' in store?

With Bangladesh getting twin centuries, from Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mehedi Hasan Miraz, only for the fifth time in ODIs, the crucial role that the Tigers' bowling unit played to beat Afghanistan by 89 runs went under the radar in Lahore on Sunday.

Shanto and Miraz centuries did see the Tigers post their highest-ever ODI total in the Asia Cup and laid the platform needed for a big win, but the comprehensive margin of win that eventually saw the Tigers through to the Super Four would not have materialised without the concerted bowling effort from Taskin Ahmed and Co.

In what was a must-win game for Bangladesh, the prospect of having to improve the net run-rate only made the challenge steeper for the Tigers, especially the bowlers as they needed to bundle out the opposition with enough runs in hand, and that too on a batting-friendly surface at the Gaddafi Stadium

One thing that made things even tougher for the Tigers was the team management's decision to go with five specialist bowlers, reducing options for skipper Shakib Al Hasan if any of the frontline bowlers had a bad day.

However, Taskin, Shoriful Islam, and Hasan Mahmud -- regarded as part of arguably the best pace bowling unit the country has ever had -- lived up to their billing.

The pace trio combined for eight wickets to bundle out the Afghans for 245. Taskin led the charge with four wickets, Shoriful took three and had the most impact as he gave crucial breakthroughs while Mahmud scalped one as they portrayed guile in their way of operation on a ground known to aid batters.

"I think it was a difficult task for the pacers on a batting-friendly surface. Yes, the batters put up a big total but what I liked was the way our seamers adapted to the condition and showed good standard. Our bowlers remained consistent and also bowled with good pace," Taskin's mentor and local pace bowling coach Mahbub Ali Zaki told The Daily Star yesterday.

According to Zaki, going with five specialist bowlers only showed the faith put in the pace unit by the skipper.

"What prompted Shakib to go with five specialist bowlers was probably the belief he had on the pace attack. The pacers have been well organised recently and bowled according to the plan which gives the luxury to the captain," Zaki added.

Even in the first game when the Tigers were bundled out for a mere 164 runs against Sri Lanka, the bowlers did manage to put pressure by picking up early wickets. However, the task proved too much with a small target on the board.

Shakib also praised the bowlers' effort after the game on Sunday, saying that the pacers have been doing the trick for the Tigers for some time now.

With even bigger challenges awaiting the Tigers in the Asia Cup, Zaki believes that the pacers would now need to bank on their strength.

"Look, Taskin is a furious attacker and is proven in world cricket while Mahmud is relatively new and relies on his variations. Shoriful can swing the ball and likes to attack the batter. So, we have a good variety in our pace unit. I think it will be important we bank on our strength and I believe this unit can do wonders in the coming days for Bangladesh," he said.