Sports Reporter
Faridpur, Kushtia and Dinajpur moved into the zonal semifinals of the 24th national cricket championship winning their respective matches in different venues across the country yesterday.
Faridpur registered a convincing five-wicket victory over Bogra at the Satkhira Stadium. Chasing a moderate Bogra total of 160 in 50 overs, middle order batsmen Towhid and Asad Hammered unbeaten half centuries as Faridpur sailed home (162/5) with more than eighteen overs to spare.
Towhid scored an undefeated 57 while Asad was not out on 53.
Earlier, opting to bat after winning the toss, Bogra were all out for 160 in 43.1 overs in the face of some inspirational bowling from Biplab and Rahat.
Biplab, the wrecker-in-chief, finished with 4 for 25 while Rahat captured three wickets for 15 runs.
Mukhles (29) and Mopesh (25) were the only two notable batsmen for Bogra.
In the two-day semifinal scheduled on May 7 and 8, Faridpur will face Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) at the same venue.
Away in Thakurgaon, an all-round performance from Gora helped Dinajpur to post an identical win over Panchagarh.
Gora, who captured four wickets for only six runs in the morning session to help his side book Panchagarh to a paltry 113 in 33 overs, then went on to score 25 as Dinajpur reached 114 for five in only 22.1 overs. Haider Ali scored highest 38.
Dinajpur will take on either Jamalpur or Rangpur in the semifinal starting at the same venue from May 7.
In the other match of the day, Kushtia outplayed Jahangirnagar University by seven wickets at the Bogra Stadium.
Chasing a small Jahangirnagar University total of 126 in 50 overs, Sumon hammered 51 as Kushtia reached their target (127) losing three wickets and with 16 overs to spare.
Earlier, Jahangirnagar University were bundled out for 126 in 35.5 overs.
Sajjad, the man behind Jahangirnagar's debacle, captured five for 35 runs while Ahmed Kamal took two wickets for 20 runs.
The winners will met either Natore or Tangail in the two-day long semifinal scheduled to begin from May 7.
'Weight', Akram & Hira
By Syed Ashfaqul Haque
It is the hope of cricket buffs that psychiatrist Ha-mid Quazi would have enough tips up his sleeves to help skipper Akram Khan recuperate from a freshly inflicted mental bruise just in time to lead the Bangladesh national cricket team from the front in the imminent three-nation tournament, starting in India on May 14.
Ironically the bruise was caused by none other than Shafiqul Haq Hira, a senior member in the selection committee of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). A usually reticent Shafiq made the most irresponsible, objectionable comment on Akram, who led Bangladesh to ICC Trophy victory last year, while defending the controversial BCB policy of not sharing selection matters with either the captain or the coach.
The national wicketkeeper-turned-selector did not hesitate to berate Akram in an attempt to uphold Board's tight-lipped policy. Board may take pride in the foolish endeavour of one of its ultra 'loyal' members but the outrageous comment has triggered widespread criticism. Many feel the skipper and his team have been dealt with a crippling blow even before the tournament has actually begun.
``At this moment our captain does not carry that much weight (significance) which is worthwhile,'' Shafiqul wised up a Daily Star correspondent recently. What could be more shocking for a skipper to be dubbed as a man of no significance after all those years of sincere service?
If Akram is so draffish, why on earth the 'very capable' selectors have retained him as skipper over a period of more than four years? Doesn't it expose the inefficiency of the selectors?
Shafiqul, oblivious to the reality, went on to say, ``He (Akram) is not an Azharuddin (the Indian captain). He is still in the process of learning.''
In one sense, he was right. At least, he uttered a universal truth. As Akram is not Azharuddin, Shafiqul himself is no Syed Kirmani, the famous Indian wicketkeeper. Besides, it is also very true that Akram has got more significance than that of Shafiqul in the cricket of Bangladesh.
In the Test-playing countries, captains and coaches are invited to express their observations and suggestions in front of the selection panel. Captain and coach, who know better than anybody about what they need, help the selectors a lot in picking up the best possible side.
Responding to the course of the event, the mild-mannered Bangladesh captain, however, very aptly said, ``It's unfortunate that I'm not being consulted. Since they're not considering me before any selection, it would be decent and logical of them to cop the flak in case of a debacle.''
Psychiatrists play a pivotal role in the highly demanding, competitive game of cricket. In these days it has become a necessity to have a specialist psychiatrist in the team to bring the best out of every player. BCB has arranged four intensive Silva Meditation sessions for the cricketers, courtesy Abdul Hamid Quazi the noted psychiatrist, better known as Mahi Quazi abroad who has consented to do the job free of cost as part of his pledge for the national team following its success in Malaysia last year. He hopes players will be in totally different shape of mind on completion of this course.
We also hope so. But training players' minds to a new high of performance may not be Dr.Quazi's only job. As a keen follower of the game had thought aloud at the Dhaka Stadium the other day, Mahi Quazi should also consider providing free meditation course to some eccentric selectors of BCB.
Cricketers put mind before body
Sports Reporter
National cricketers, limbering up for the forthcoming tri-nation one-day tournament in India, underwent a prolonged meditation session at the cricket players' lounge of the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.
The mind-grooming course, put into practice for the first time, was conducted by Hamid Quazi drew mixed reaction from the cricketers.
While some termed it as an ``excellent experience'' others found the strenuous session rather taxing. By and large everyone seemed to have enjoyed the 'Silva method', which Mr. Quazi assured would help the players 'tremendously'.
The closed-door session which started at nine in the morning continued till eight in the evening. Over 15 million followers across the world and an estimated fifty thousand in Bangladesh consider the Silva Method, marketed by Isometric Limited of the United States, as a successful method of achieving mental toughness.
The four-day programme will continue till May 8, two days before the scheduled departure of the Bangladesh team for India.
In imparting the course, Mr. Quazi was fulfilling his earlier pledge of offering his services free to the national cricketers if Bangladesh lifted the ICC trophy.
Bangladesh along with Kenya and the fancied hosts are taking part in the day-night over-limit tournament, to be played at seven different venues across India.
In the double-leg league, Bangladesh will appear in their first match against India on the inaugural day at Mohali on May 14.
The final will be held at the Eden Gardens in Calcutta on June 1.
Schools cricket
Emdad all-round glitter for BKSP
Sports Reporter
Eight first phase matches of the 16th national schools cricket championship (Dhaka zone) were decided at different city venues yesterday.
On a hectic day of cricket, there was however no upsets when BKSP along with Motijheel Govt. High School, Dhan-mondi International, Govt. Laboratory High School, Radiant International, St. Gregory's School, Udayan School and Pallabi M.I. School ambled into the next round after eliminating their respective opponents.
At the Dhanmondi Cricket Stadium, BKSP, aided by a virtuoso all-round performance from Emdad, recorded a thumping 174-run win over BCSIR. Emdad scored a quick-fire 39 to help the lone sports institute of the country amass a commanding total of 213 for seven in the stipulated 35 overs. Emdad then returned with a four-wicket haul to shoot BCSIR out for a meagre 39 in 21.4 overs. In his astounding spell, Emdad gave away only three runs for his four scalps.
Away at the Uttara Friends Club ground, Motijheel Govt. High School defeated Aftab Memorial by six wickets. In a reduced 25-over-a-side affair, the Motijheel boys, chasing a paltry Aftab total of 109, rattled up 113 for four with four balls to spare. Saimur top-scored with 33 while Adnan and Ehtesham contributed 22 and 20 runs respectively.
At the Mirpur Outer Stadium, Dhanmondi International prevailed over Nazrul Shikhalaya by 19 runs. Batting first, Dhanmondi International scored a fighting total of 165 for five in their share of 35 overs with Shamir making highest 41 runs. In reply, Nazrul Shikhalaya could manage 150 before being all out in the final delivery of their innings. Sadrul scored highest 33 runs for the vanquished. Nadir with three wickets for 23 runs returned as the wrecker-in-chief among the Dhanmondi bowlers.
Govt. Laboratory School posted a resounding eight-wicket win over Manarat International.
In yet another low-scoring affair, Govt Lab, who earlier shot out the Manarat boys for 94, went on to make 97 for the loss of only two wickets in 12.1 overs. Shams scored 27 and Tanzir chipped in with 25.
At the City Club ground, Radiant International pulled off a thrilling two-run win over Vasha Prodip School. In a nail-biting finish, Radiant, in defence of a fighting total of 171 for nine in 35 overs, restricted the Vasha Prodip boys to 169 for nine.
Saint Gregory's recorded a facile 36-run win over Mohakhali Model School. Batting first, the Gregorians piled up a huge total of 206 for five wickets in 30 overs with Tanvir notching highest 53 runs. In reply, Mohakhali Model were all out for 117 in 28 overs.
At the tiny Kalabagan Club ground, Udayan School defeated Moonlight School by three wickets. Chasing a paltry Moonlight total of 116 all out in 22 overs, Udayan rattled up 120 for seven wickets in 26.5 overs with Rahman scoring an invaluable 25.
In the other match of the day at the Mohakhali T & T ground, Pallabi MI School posted a 58-run victory over Rabeya Pre-cadet School.