Sunday, April 27, 2025

Bangladesh must solve Ajmal puzzle

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By Sunil Gavaskar

 The Australia-West Indies clash in the group game set the ICC World T20 alight though the rains came to spoil what would have been a close finish. Nevertheless the big hitting from Chris Gayle and then from David Warner and Shane Watson set the stands alight.

Though the Australians were well ahead of the West Indies, thanks to the dreaded Duckworth-Lewis method, we all know that the game can turn in a matter of deliveries and that could well have been the thrilling finish that the fans were eager for.

The possibility of the weather affecting the game and the D/L method coming into play means that most teams will prefer to field first so they are aware of the runs that they have to score at the end of each over – a big advantage.

That certainly is happening at the moment and so most teams will also pick four regular bowlers and look to use one of their batsmen to come in and bowl the four overs of the fifth bowlers quota.

England and Australia are fortunate that they have all-rounders in their teams, so they don’t have to tamper too much with their playing eleven, but for the other teams it is trying to get the balance right that is the main issue before the start of the game.

Pakistan finally played their first game and won it in style, though the New Zealanders were smart enough to know that even if they were unable to get the target set by Pakistan, getting close to the total would help them in the net run rate if it comes to that.

Their group is perhaps the group where teams have an even chance.

Bangladesh have come a long way in limited-overs cricket, especially after the Bangladesh Premier League.

It was the experience of playing with and against some of the top players in T20 cricket that was the impetus for the Bangladeshis’ improved performance in the Asia Cup that followed, where they almost caused an upset by winning the event.

That experience should come in handy when they play Pakistan and if they win then the net run rate will come into play to decide which two teams go through to the Super Eights round.

However, their biggest test is likely to be in the form of spin wizard Saeed Ajmal and they have to first solve his puzzling bowling, which has baffled batsmen from every team.

Ajmal has picked up plenty of wickets that set the opposition back and his four overs don’t cost too many runs.

India will watch that game with keen interest as they know that if Pakistan win, then they will face their traditional rivals on Sunday, and that is a contest that everyone will be salivating over.

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