PROMISES START TURNING INTO PERFORMANCE

Tamim Iqbal during his innings

When the whole world is busy watching IPL, the Bangladesh cricket team quietly clinched their first ever series win against Pakistan. A seven wicket victory at Mirpur on a sporting Sunday in the second game of a three match series marked a 2-0 invincible lead for Bangladesh. With a game to be still played, the series has made a special place in the history book of achievements for Bangladesh.

Captain Mashrafe Murtaza appeals for LBW

Before the start of the series, the last time Pakistan were defeated by Bangladesh back in an upset encounter in the 1999 World Cup. But twice in 3 days, the visitors were made to bite the dust . This was the result of a great display of teamwork and belief in one’s own abilities. Bangladesh have shown the world another glimpse of their talent . Critics will always have a word to say that the Pakistan team is not as strong as they used to be. But that would be injustice to the dedication and commitment put in by the Bangladesh players.  They have every reason to celebrate and party hard.

Pakistan were outplayed in all the three departments of the

clean bowled!

game in both the matches. For the Bangla tigers, it was their experienced opener Tamim Iqbal, who responded to the situation by scoring consecutive tons with 132 and 116*(not out) respectively. Wicket-keeper batsman was not too behind registering a century(106) and a half-century(65) respectively. But it was the bowling effort which stood out in both the matches restricting the fragile Pakistan batting line up to modest totals.

The present Bangladesh team is in the making to be a great competitor at all levels. The blend of experience and youth appears perfectly promising. Their performance at the World Cup this year was a strong evidence of their potential and capabilities, where they reached the quarter final defeating England in the group stage. The small cricket crazy nation has always produced some great entertainers of the game. Mohammad Ahraful and Aftab  Ahmed were a few of those who inculcated the fighting spirits. The match winning hundred by Ashraful against Australia in 2005 will always be an unforgettable knock. And more match winners to evolve in the days to come. It is just the beginning. The platform is set to launch, where sky is the limit. 

रफ़्तार का जुनून :आईपीएल 8

ट्राफी अनावरण में सभी टीमों के कप्तान

तीव्रता समय की मांग है। फिर चाहे वह गाड़ी हो, या उसमे बजने वाला म्यूजिक। आजकल जो सुपरफास्ट नहीं, वह दौड़ में नहीं।अब जब हर कुछ इतना तेज़ है तो भला क्रिकेट क्यों पीछे छूट जाए। और यह तो इंडिया है, यहाँ हर दिल बल्ले और गेंद के संपर्क की आवाज़ से धड़क उठता है। गेंद हवा में हो तो साँसे रुक जाती है। और यदि वह बाउन्ड्री पार हो जाए तो कदम थिरक उठते हैँ।

मंगलवार की शाम हल्की बूंदा-बांदी के बीच आगाज़ हुआ क्रिकेट इस रंगारंग त्योहार आईपीएल के 8वें संस्करण का।अब आने वाले 45 दिन मौसम का मिजाज़ कुछ भी हो पर लोगों का मिजाज़ क्रिकेटमयी होने वाला है। हर शाम मनोरंजन की गारंटी के साथ एक रोमांचक मैच लाएगा। दोस्त दुश्मन बन जायेंगे और दुश्मनी यारी में बदल जायेगी,क्योंकि यहाँ सब कुछ संभव है। जिस ग्लेन मैक्सवेल के आउट होने की दुआ हम 100 करोड़ हिंदुस्तानी कर रहे थे,अब उसी के छक्कों पर हम तालियां बजायेंगे।विराट कोहली के आउट होने पर भी जश्न मनायेंगे। भाई-भाई आपस में टकराएंगे। चीयरगर्ल्स की मदमस्त अदाओं से सभी के होश उड़ जायेंगे।

उद्घाटन समारोह में ठुमके लगाती अनुष्का शर्मा

यह मौका है धूमिल हो चुके प्रतिष्ठित खिलाडियों के लिए फिर से अपनी छाप छोड़ने का। कई युवा खिलाड़ी शानदार प्रदर्शन से चयनकर्ताओं का ध्यान खींचना चाहेंगे। वहीँ महंगे बिके स्टार खिलाड़ी भी अपने मालिकों को खुश करना चाहेंगे। लगभग 5 महीने बाद भारतीय सरज़मीं फिर से क्रिकेट का मंच होगा। और फिर जब बात टी-20 की होगी, तो जन-सैलाब स्टेडियम की ओर खिंचा चला आये,ये  तो लाज़मी है।

मैच के दौरान आकर्षक चीयर गर्ल्स

  आईपीएल प्रमाण है विश्व क्रिकेट में भारत की साख़ का। एक दौर था जब विदेशी खिलाड़ी भारत में खेलने से हिचकिचाते थे। पर अब आईपीएल में खेलना उनकी पहली पसंद बन चुका है। पैसे और ग्लैमर की चकाचौंध ऐसी,कि बाकी सब फीका पड़ जाए।आईपीएल एक ब्रांड है, लोकप्रियता का,विश्वसनीयता का और आधुनिकता का। बॉलीवुड सितारा हों या अरबपति उद्योगपति,सब इस क्रिकेट के महाकुम्भ में डुबकी लगाने को तैयार हैं। तो आप भी अपनी कमर कस लीजिये और सवार हो जाइये आईपीएल के उड़नखटोले पर। लेकिन भैया ज़रा ज़रा संभल के क्योंकि ज़ोर का झटका कब धीरे से लग जाए, इससे स्वयं इंद्र देवता भी अंजान हैं। ऐसा मौका फिर ना मिलेगा। इस त्योहर के रंग में आप भी सराबोर हो जाइये और कहिये "जियो क्रिकेट"।   

Reviewing It My Way : CWC 2015

Australian players after winning the World Cup 2015

Four years ago, on 2^nd April, India became the world champions on their home turf. But nothing remains constant in this ever changing world. The Indian team made a valiant, but unsuccessful, effort to defend the title in the 2015 edition of the Cricket World Cup. The Australian team ended all the enigma and curiosity by winning the World Cup for the fifth time. Undoubtedly, they were the most charismatic and deserving team right from the start of this gala event, and playing at home added a lot more optimism to their quest for the glory.

This edition of the WC was not less than the other editions in terms of eventfulness. We had greats playing their last World Cup and a few future superstars, who embarked in grand fashion. History was repeated and a few events happened for the first time. Records were broken and new milestones were set. In this post, we will take a look at all those incidents which made this season an unforgettable affair for the fans and followers.

For the first time, since the 1987 WC, the final was played between two non-Asian teams. It was for the second time that the event was co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand. The last time WC happened here was back in 1992, where none of the co-host nations were in the final. But this time around, the things were a bit different and both of them featured in the final, where New Zealand turned up as the runners up. The four top teams cruised into the semi finals, where India and South Africa were the second best teams in their respective encounters. For England, it was another disappointing tournament and they had to catch their flight after the preliminary round, which was a result of their disastrous loss against Bangladesh. Bangladesh looked promising and won all the hearts by their performance and reached the quarter final, where they had to face the defeat against their neighboring giants, India. But the team which broke all hearts was South Africa. Despite being such a great troop of talented and experienced players, they “choked” again at the knock-out stage. The outburst of their emotions after the game against New Zealand told the whole story.

Clarke playing a shot in the final at MCG

Now talking about the individuals, this edition marked the end for many players who served their nations for several years. The winning captain Michael Clarke was the happiest among those legends, as his team finished as the best side in the tournament, clinching the title. To add to the list, we had Sri Lankan lions Kumara Sangakkara and Mahela Jaywardhane featuring in their last one-day tournament. The kiwi spin veteran Daniel Vettori was as agile as any 18 year old boy in his final appearance at the international arena. A few Pakistani legends including the flamboyant Shahid Afridi, Misbah-ul-Haq and the classical Younis Khan represented their country for the last time in the limited overs format.

With the new anti-bowler's rules, this edition was a treat for the batters, as many batting records were claimed this season. The highest team total in the world cups was achieved by the winners Australia when they scored 417 against the minnows, Afghanistan. Two double centuries were scored within a span of 50 days. In the initial stage, the Caribbean superhero, Chris Gayle raced off to 215 against Zimbabwe, while later in the competition Martin Guptill surpassed him with his breathtaking 237 and this time West Indies was at the receiving end. Presently Guptill holds the record for highest individual score in the world cup. Two hat-tricks were clinched in the tournament by English pacer Steven Finn and the Proteas part-timer JP Duminy respectively.

All in all, this biggest cricket carnival was a huge success in all means. It was a mixed pack of action, drama, emotion and more importantly, cricket was the mode of all these expressions. By 2019, things won’t be the same, the players would change and of course the venue will shift to England. But the thing which will remain constant is the craze and affection for this beautiful & wonderful game of “Cricket”.

ख़िताब एक दावेदार अनेक

आईसीसी वनडे रैंकिंग की टॉप 4 टीमें विश्व कप के सेमीफाइनल में प्रवेश कर चुकी हैं। जहाँ भारत और मेज़बान ऑस्ट्रेलिया की टीमें 26 मार्च को मेलबर्न में भिड़ेंगी।वहीं पहले सेमीफाइनल में सह-मेज़बान न्यूज़ीलैंड का समाना दक्षिण अफ्रीका से 24 मार्च को होगा। क्वाटर फाइनल के मुक़ाबलों में टीमों के प्रदर्शन के मद्देनजर सभी टीमें मज़बूत नज़र आ रही हैं। यहाँ से कोई भी टीम विश्व विजेता बनने का माद्दा रखती है।

बल्लेबाज़ आतिशी फॉर्म में हैं और गेन्दबाज़ अपनी गेंदों से आग उगल रहे हैं। टक्कर बराबरी का है, जोश उफ़ान पर है और निगाहें चमचमाती ट्रॉफी पर। तो आइये नज़र डालते हैं 24 मार्च को होने वाले पहले सेमीफाइनल के कुछ रोचक तथ्य और पहलुओं पर।

सेमीफाइनल 1:

न्यूज़ीलैंड बनाम दक्षिण अफ्रीका,24मार्च

स्थान- ऑकलैंड,न्यूज़ीलैंड

दोनों टीमें अबतक विश्व कप जीतने में नाकाम रह हैं। "चोकेर्स" कही जाने वाली दक्षिण अफ़्रीकी टीम अपने सर से इस तमगे को हटाना चाहेंगी। और न्यूज़ीलैंड के लिए इससे बेहतरीन मौका शायद फिर आये न आये। इस मुक़ाबले में जहाँ एक टीम अपने सपने की ओर आगे बढ़ेगी,वहीँ दूसरी टीम  को फिर 4 सालों तक इंतज़ार करना होगा। कीवी टीम को घरेलू परिस्थिति और दर्शकों का सहयोग होगा। तो अफ़्रीकी टीम के पास भी ऐसे खिलाड़ी हैं जो उन परिस्थितियों का भरपूर लाभ उठा सकते हैं।

बल्लेबाज़ी की बात करें तो दोनों ही टीमो के पास एक से बढ़ कर एक आक्रामक बल्लेबाज़ हैं। मार्टिन गुप्टिल के शानदार प्रदर्शन के बाद कीवी बल्लेबाज़ी से उम्मीदें दोगुनी हो गयी हैं। मैक्कुलम,कोरी एंडरसन औ टेलर यदि चल निकले तो विरोधियों की खैर नहीं। दूसरी ओर अफ़्रीकी बल्लेबाज़ी भी किसी दृष्टिकोण से कम नहीं आंकी जा सकती। कप्तान डिविलियर्स अपने दिन पर स्वयं पूरी सेना के समान हैं।  साथी बल्लेबाज़ भी अच्छी  फॉर्म में नज़र आ रहे हैं। ऑकलैंड की  पिच और बॉउंड्री को ध्यान में रखें तो एक बड़े स्कोर की उम्मीद लगायी जा सकती है। 

डेल स्टेन के नेतृत्व में दक्षिण अफ़्रीकी बॉलिंग धारदार नजर आती है।  साथ ही इमरान ताहिर के रूप में टीम के पास एक काबिल गेंदबाज हैं जिन्होंने अब तक अपने प्रदर्शन से सबका दिल जीता है। ताहिर ने अब तक टूर्नामेंट में 15  विकेट चटकाए हैं, जो दक्षिण अफ्रीका के लिए सबसे अधिक है। वहीँ मेज़बान टीम के बाएं हाथ के तूफानी स्विंग जेंडबाज़ ट्रेंट बोल्ट सफलतम गेंदबाजों की सूची में 19  विकेट के साथ सबसे ऊपर हैं। अनुभवी डेनियल विटोरी का युवा अंदाज़ भी काबिल-ए-तारीफ़ है। गेंदबाजों की लिस्ट में उनका छठा स्थान है, पर स्पिनर्स की बात करें तो वो सबसे ऊपर हैं। 

अगर दोनों टीमों के बीच खेले गए विश्व कप मुक़ाबलों की बात करे तो 4-2 से पलड़ा न्यूज़ीलैंड का भारी है।  पर दक्षिण अफ्रीका को काम  आंकना उनकी उम्मीदों के साथ नाइंसाफी होगी।  नतीजा चाहे जो भी हो, पर एक ज़बरदस्त मुकाबले की उम्मीद सारे क्रिकेट प्रेमियों को है। 

SAGA OF THE SRI-LANKAN SAVIOUR

Wise men say that retire when people ask the question “why” rather than asking “when”. The situation seems perfect for the left handed batting legend, Kumara Sangakkara. Amidst the World Cup, being in such sublime form, speculations arose, that Sangakkara may reconsider on his retirement. But the wicket-keeper batsman remains firm on his decision.

Former national captain has been serving his country for the last fifteen years, as he  made his debuts in the year 2000, both in ODIs as well as tests. His contribution to Sri Lankan cricket and world cricket can never be overlooked. The fans owe a lot to this super fit athlete from Kandy.

In addition to his never ending list of records, the latest came in the ongoing tournament, where he smashed four consecutive tons, the first by any batsman, while the previous best was three in a row. He is the leading run scorer in the tournament at the end of the league stage with 496 runs to his credit. His current form is a clear indication of his potential and calibre.

 The veteran has been a part of two World Cup finals in the years 2007 and 2011, but unfortunately turned up as the runners up on both the occasions. Participating in his last world cup, the 37 year old legend, will definitely try to finish things off on a winning note. And what can be a better platform than the most prestigious tournament, where waving off from the podium with the trophy in his hand would become the sweetest memories of his life.

 Awesomely Brilliant De  Villiers

Every day is not Sunday and every team is not as lucky as India that A B de Villiers gets run-out cheaply. After a thumping win over Zimbabwe, West Indies would have prepared themselves for the sterner against South Africa(SA)  but just not the way it happened. It was a one-man show by, undoubtedly, the most dynamic batsman in the world.

   While De Villiers was going after the West Indies bowling, the Sydney crowd was behind him chanting “AB!! AB!! AB!...”. The fielders became spectators as the spectators were doing their job. An absolute carnage was witnessed at the historic SCG (Sydney Cricket Ground). The South African captain came in to bat in the 30^th over after the fall of three wickets and what followed was unbelievable. Courtesy of his 162 off 66, SA went on to score 408, the second highest team total in World Cups after India’s 413 against Bermuda in 2007.

  In his match winning performance, De Villiers hit 17 boundaries and 8 towering sixes. He played shorts to all parts of the ground and made it difficult to the bowlers to adjust their lengths. He reached to his fifty in 30 balls, the next 50 came in a mere 22 balls and registered the 2^nd fastest WC century. The third one was the fastest in 12 balls and the fastest 150 in ODIs. Recently he owned the record of fastest hundred in ODIs against the same opposition, bettering Corey Anderson’s record by 5 balls. The skipper was involved in a 134 run stand with Rile Rossouw and an unbeaten 20-ball 80 runs partnership with Behardien.

 In his outrageous appearance, we witnessed some impossible strokes played by the 31-year old “short manufacturing machine”.

 This extraordinary talent from South Africa is one of his kind in the whole cricketing fraternity. Nothing seems impossible if A B is batting. A lot of milestones achieved by the batting sensation and still we hope, it is just a beginning.

IT'S A TEAM GAME

     

                                     2011                                         

                                            
A score games into the tournament, the teams have started coming up with their true potential. It is high time for the teams, who haven’t performed to their calibre, to showcase their best cricketing skills, else they could be out of the competition.


        Taking a look at the games played till date, the fact which remains common in almost every match is that the team which has played better as a unit, has turned victorious. In a competition like World Cup, any team which claims for the title has to fare equally well in all the three departments. No team can prove to be challenging banking on a player or two. Every team member has to chip in with some contribution, albeit a few performing better than the others.

          Evidences are strong enough in favour of the above theory. In the opening game between Sri Lanka and New Zealand, the hosts registered a 98 runs comfortable victory. In this emphatic win, all the Kiwi batsmen went into the double figures, while two of them got over the 50 run mark. When it came to their bowing, five of the seven bowlers picked a couple of wickets each.And how many times do you find a team going past the 300 mark with its top-scorer scoring a mere 51. It was a phenomenal display of team effort by West Indies in their encounter against the Asian giants Pakistan. Barring Gayle, all the other Windies batsmen got off to a start and scored a minimum 23. Later in the game, all the five bowlers used were successful and no bowler went wicketless. At the end , Pakistan was well short by 150 runs chasing a mammoth target of 311.


           Talking of the associate nations, they have shown a tremendous growth in their level of skills and temperament, making this mega cricketing event more exciting. However, in their victories as well, they have shown an all-round team effort. In a match where Ireland took on Afghanistan, it went to the very last over where Ireland turned victorious. In their stiff chase of 279, five of the Irish batsmen crossed the thirty-run mark. No credits taken away from  the cameo played by Kevin O’ Brien, which ultimately proved decisive. Earlier in the day, except Mooney, every other Ireland bowler had wickets in their kitty.
                                              
           Not only with bat & ball, but also fielders have played their parts causing to the team’s win. The two run-outs of deadly dangerous AB De Villiers and “killer” Miller changed the whole complexion of the game and turned it into India’s favour.

           So, when the tournament is peaking its’ pace, the teams are leaving no stones unturned. Weaknesses need to be worked out within the limited space of time and resources available. If any area is left vulnerable, the opposition is waiting to exploit it to the most and in such circumstances,  defeat would be inevitable.