Shafiul prepared for big day
Each player has his own way of preparing for a game and when it comes to the biggest of encounters, every cricketer follows a certain path; a set routine to keep their emotions in check. Those of experience and quality often remain within their comfort zones, a way to stay in touch with reality as well as calming nerves, which can be so volatile before a big occasion.
For a Bangladesh player, the occasion doesn't get any bigger than the World Cup opener against India and with the crescendo of noise and interest rising every minute on the eve of the game, it is of paramount importance that the younger players are given extra attention.
While captain Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim, Abdur Razzak, Mohammad Ashraful and Shahriar Nafees have experience of the biggest stage, how the World Cup debutants make themselves comfortable will be a good indication of their inherent characters.
Shafiul Islam is only 21 years old and after just one year of international cricket, the paceman has made himself an automatic choice for the first game. Profligate in the beginning, Shafiul has slowly made his own little niche in the Tigers dressing room and will be handed the new ball against the best opening pair. But as has been the case with the Tigers' think-tank, the effort has been to tone down the atmosphere around the team.
The Bogra lad went off to his Mirpur home in the capital to spend some time with his parents and his expatriate brother, who only recently arrived from France.
"My mother won't be going to watch the game but father and my brother will be going," he said. "I have always wanted to play for Bangladesh and when I began playing last year, I wanted to play the next series. Once I settled myself, I eyed the World Cup."
Like Shafiul, Imrul Kayes and Junaed Siddiqui are all set to play while Rokibul Hasan made his case stronger with his 30 in the practice game against Pakistan.
Tamim's opening partner has snuck up as a regular member of the team through his performance over the last two years, ending up as the fifth highest scorer in ODIs in 2010. Junaed too has finally staked a claim to the pivotal No 3 position while Rokibul has gone past the controversy of his sudden retirement.
"When my mother went to the stadium area last night (Thursday), it was like a Mela, or like Eid day, everyone was having fun and being very proud of the country," said Shafiul, a virtual unknown two seasons ago. Now, his first ball will be as big as those bowled for the last 36 years.
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