All the pre-tournament talk about the World Cup had focused on the Bangladesh bowling being dependant on the left-arm spinning duo of Abdur Razzak and Shakib Al Hasan, due to the matches being held in the traditionally spin friendly wickets of the subcontinent.
But with two matches of the World Cup already played, the efforts of both bowlers have hardly been noticeable. Despite this, the smart money is still on the duo playing a major role in the coming games against West Indies, England, Netherlands and South Africa to help Bangladesh press for their goal; a quarterfinal spot in cricket's biggest show.
Shakib, the number one ODI all-rounder, seemed to regain his rhythm against Ireland in the second group match after a poor showing against a dominating India in the opening match but Razzak has yet to find his form despite the fact that he had a much better bowling figure of 8-0-30-1 in the second game compared to his expensive nine over spell against India where the ace spinner conceded 74 runs without any success.
“It was not the same wicket we had played against New Zealand. The wicket had little turn as it did in October last year. In this kind of wicket you must concentrate more on the line and length and you have to bowl wicket to wicket otherwise you will be punished by the batsmen,” explained Razzak yesterday.
He has been providing unnatural flight in his bowling without being able to extract much turn and with some odd short deliveries in between, has been handled quite comfortably by most of the batsmen..
“We must accept this condition because there is no other choice. I think any bowler will be successful in this condition if he keeps the basic things right. Actually this kind of wicket is a heaven for the batsmen,” he responded.
The 28-year old bowler, who has so far claimed 163 wickets in 113 matches, however was very much confident that his bowling will be better in the next group matches.
“What I felt that I need to adjust a few minor things to my bowling and I am really hopeful with my bowling and I think everything will be okay from the next game,” said Razzak while talking about their next game against West Indies on March 4 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.
Is this kind of condition then putting extra pressure on the Bangladesh batsmen? Razzak however was diplomatic while responding to the issue. “What I want to say is that it is really helpful for the bowlers if the batsmen can put a handsome total on the board in this kind of condition,” he observed.
Captain Shakib was not ready to comment on the wicket, rather he said that they have to play better cricket in these conditions.
“We must play better cricket no matter what the condition is. I do not think there has been any significant change in the Mirpur wicket,” observed Shakib.
