Mash recalls a Cardiff limousine ride

Mashrafe Bin Mortaza hogged the spotlight on the opening day of the two-day players' transfer for the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur yesterday.

The Bangladesh limited-overs captain, who will fly for Colombo today to lead the Tigers in the three-match ODI and two-match T20I series against Sri Lanka, signed for Legends of Rupganj at almost the last second of the bourse after he had mistakenly gone to the Bangabandhu National Stadium -- where the event had been taking place for a long time before shifting to the home of cricket in Mirpur this season.

Mashrafe was excited that the transfer system returned to its traditional form after the player-by-choice system was used in last two seasons.

"I am excited that players transfer returned to the traditional system because it gives players the freedom to choose their team," he said. "It's a good occasion to celebrate," he added.

Among the other Colombo-bound players, Shuvagata Hom signed for defending champions Abahani along with uncapped left-arm spinner Sanjamul Islam, while wicket-keeper batsman Nurul Hasan signed for Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club.

Even in his absence, Mahmudullah Riyad was another centre of attention. According to Legends of Rupganj officials, the all-rounder -- who was dropped from the team for the second Test against Sri Lanka and included in the ODI team after a lot of drama -- informed them at the eleventh hour that he had changed his mind and would be joining Abahani. It was said in shushed voices that Riyad was going to receive the highest payment, Tk 60 lakhs, this season.

When attention was drawn to Riyad's last moment change, Mashrafe said: "I cannot say anything about the other two national pool players. During the transfer we talk with lots of players."

Abahani are most likely to fill their national pool quota by roping in Tamim Iqbal and Mosaddek Hossain.

A useful all-rounder in domestic cricket, Nasir Hossain joined Gazi Group Cricketers along with Suhrawardi Shuvo, Naeem Islam, Abu Hider, Nadif Chowdhury and Shafiul Islam.

Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club were also busy on the opening day as they registered experienced campaigner Abdur Razzak alongside Elias Sunny, Tanvir Haider, Nurul Hasan and Fazle Rabbi. They are also expected to rope in Imrul Kayes.

"I am happy with my team as there are several players with huge amount of experience in domestic circuit," said Sheikh Jamal skipper Razzak.

Mohammad Ashraful also turned up to Mirpur to sign for Kalabagan Krira Charka on a day when a total of 87 players participated.

After enjoying a brief break, Bangladesh ODI captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza flew to England yesterday and is expected to reach London to join the Tigers for their upcoming ICC World Cup mission.

Mashrafe took a short break and returned to Bangladesh just after the Tigers' won their maiden tri-nation series in Ireland by beating the West Indies in the final. The inspirational cricketer stayed for three days and spent some time with his family upon returning at midnight on Saturday.

Before flying for England yesterday, Mashrafe told reporters at the airport: "Everyone please pray for us. We will try to give our best. Please pray for us so that we can play well."

According to the 35-year-old, the tri-nation win will certainly boost the confidence of the players. He also added that it would be important for Bangladesh to make a good start to the tournament.

"The confidence level of all the players is very good. But the tournament is different, so the start is very important. If we can start well, I am hopeful that we can do something good. It's important," said Mashrafe.

Although the Bangladesh team were in Leicester for a training camp, Mashrafe will fly directly to London to attend the captains' official press conference, which comprises all ten captains of the participating teams.

Meanwhile, the Bangladesh team will travel to Cardiff today, where they will be placed under ICC protocol ahead of the World Cup. Tamim Iqbal, who travelled to Dubai after the tri-nation series to spend time with his family, is expected to join the team in there today.

On May 26 and 28, Bangladesh will face India and Pakistan respectively in official warm-up game in Cardiff. The team will then travel to London on May 29. Bangladesh will begin their World Cup campaign on June 2 against South Africa at The Oval in Kennington. The Tigers had reached the quarterfinals at the previous World Cup and they are hopeful of taking one step further under Mashrafe in what is surely the skipper's last World Cup.

Former Bangladesh Under-19 pacer Mohammad Saifuddin and fast bowler Abul Hasan will fly out to Colombo tomorrow to take part in the one-day warm-up game on March 22 ahead of the limited-overs leg of Bangladesh’s tour of Sri Lanka, which starts with the first ODI on March 25 in Dambulla.

The two will be sent to Colombo for experience with the national team. Bangladesh team manager Khaled Mahmud informed of this development during the fourth day of the second Test between the teams at the P Sara Oval in Colombo today.

Saifuddin, who played in Bangladesh’s run to the semifinals of the Under-19 World Cup early last year, will be part of the senior group for the first time, while Abul -- who in 2012 against the West Indies became the first cricketer to hit a century from number 10 on debut – has been out of national reckoning since he played in an ODI against Pakistan in April 2015.

Both players will fly back to Dhaka on March 23, with Saifuddin expected to take part in the ACC Emerging Cup. The 16-member Bangladesh ODI squad will fly out to Colombo today.

Proteas captain Faf Du Plessis admits that players are feeling a bit sorry for Tigers' bowlers.

In this super-competetive era of international cricket that is something that one does not usually expect to hear from the captain. However, it is also an indication of how well the South African batsmen, especially the top order have dominated proceedings throughout Bangladesh's South Africa tour.

In the two-Test series, Bangladesh conceded a combined 1316 runs in three Proteas innings, grabbing 13 wickets. The punishment began with the first Test where Dean Elgar (199) and Aiden Markram (97) put on a 196-run opening stand. Tigers faced big margin defeats in both Tests – 333 runs in the first, innings and 254 runs in the second Test.

Mustafizur Rahman, who missed the first ODI due to an ankle injury is set to miss the rest of the tour according to what skipper Mashrafe Bin Mortaza said. Without the star pacer, Tigers' punishment continued in the first ODI at Kimberley where South Africa notched up the required total of 278 without losing a single wicket – breaking records on the way.

Proteas skipper had to emphasize ruthlessness to sympathise with his opponents. The punishment was heavy afterall and du Plessis had to focus on the fact that international cricket is uncompromising.

"We're playing really well. Another dominating performance - that's what we asked for and they delivered. We're feeling a little sorry for the Bangladesh bowlers, they've had a hard tour, but that's what being ruthless is about," Du Plessis said.

Du Plessis felt that the Kimberley pitch was not a batting paradise and the use of slower bouncers were evidence that South Africa were always looking to improvise to stem the flow of runs.

"I thought the pitch was a little slow in the first innings, maybe the heavy roller made it better to bat on in the second innings. It was mostly to do with the wind - you try and eliminate one side of the field [bowling slower bouncers]," the skipper said.

Regarding his opening pair, the skipper said: Amla and De Kock were brilliant - they were greedy, and that's what you need to be," he explained.

Shakib Al Hasan has been in sensational form in the World Cup and that is why it is very natural that all the focus was centered on the ace all-rounder ahead of the today's crucial match against Australia at Trent Bridge in Nottingham.

However, Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza reminded that there were also some other players like Tamim Iqbal, Mustafizur Rahman and Soumya Sarkar, who played their part in making sure the Tigers would take on the defending champions with great confidence. And while the inspirational Tigers skipper will definitely look for another phenomenal showing from his champion all-rounder, he will also desperately be looking for the Tigers to fire on all cylinders to keep their semifinal hopes alive.

Mashrafe exuded confidence during a half-hour press meet after his side got a huge psychological boost by winning their last game against the West Indies in style. Mashrafe also informed that the dressing room was full of belief about winning today's match and that they were not thinking of anything other than a victory.

Bangladesh’s ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan (R) has been in majestic form in the World Cup so far. The 32-year old will however be looking up to his teammates Mahmudullah Riyad (C) and Mushfiqur Rahman to step up alongside him when the Tigers face Australia in a crunch encounter at the Trent Bridge in Nottingham today. PHOTO: BCB/AFP

"I know a few players are in our dressing room who believe we can beat anybody. But against Australia, it won't be easy, for sure, especially given the conditions and the form they are in. It won't be easy. But, as I said, these boys believe, and especially if you have a good start, you never know. So, let's see. We'll fight and you never know. I think if we take that confidence into the ground and deliver our best and we can assess the wicket very well… ," said Mashrafe.

"I think the Australian bowling attack has a lot of variation. They have Pat Cummins, who can bowl with a change of pace and also very quick. They have some options. I think they have some good wrist spinners. Nathan Lyon and Zampa are there. But the confidence is the main thing, which bowlers have at the moment," he added when asked to compare the West Indies attack to Australia's.

Bangladesh started their campaign with an impressive win against South Africa and then the lost to New Zealand and England before rain spoiled their match against Sri Lanka and put them to a spot of bother. But a magical Shakib revived hopes as his all-round performance against the West Indies provided them new hope. Mashrafe, however, insisted his charges were not over-reliant on one man.

"I wouldn't say it's a one-man army. Shakib is scoring runs; that's a great thing for the team. But if you look at it, the other boys have stepped up. Mustafizur Rahman got some wickets, Mohammad Saifuddin came in and took the early wicket of Chris Gayle -- we all know what he can do. So, it has not been a one-man army, but Shakib has been doing outstandingly. Some other bowlers have to step up a little bit with what Shakib is doing.

Following his dream World Cup debut against the West Indies on Monday, Liton Das would like to provide more of the same again against Australia in Nottingham today. PHOTO: BCB

"We really appreciate what Shakib is doing, and some of the other bowlers with what they've done, and we hope it will be carried on from here. It will be great to see," he opined. "But we need to provide support like Liton did in the last match."

Looking at South Africa's collapse against the New Zealand yesterday, Mashrafe realized that it is the Tigers who have to pave their way to the semifinal all by themselves. So, must they perform their best.