New Zealand' wicket-keeper Brendon McCullum has replaced the team’s iconic player, former India skipper Sourav Ganguly as captain of the Kolkata Knight Riders squad for the second edition of DLF Indian Premier League starting here on Saturday.
Ganguly has taken the decision in his stride and will contribute to the team's cause, supporting McCullum on the field along with senior cricketers like Chris Gayle.
The Knight Riders's captaincy has been a topic of much speculation after its Australian coach-cum-director John Buchanan came up with the idea of having multiple skippers. Ganguly himself was critical of the idea and he has had many supporters.
Team owner Shah Rukh Khan also supported Buchanan’s idea of trying out something new.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
They also serve who stand and coach
Kolkata Knight Riders Director of Cricket John Buchanan has given cricket fans around the country – and beyond – something to talk about with his multiple-captain theory; Royal Challengers Bangalore coach Ray Jennings dismisses talk that he would not share a good relationship with his captain Kevin Pietersen.
Indeed, coaches of the DLF-Indian Premier League teams have come to be in the limelight.
On the contrary, there are coaches who are critical cogs in the wheel, spotting and nurturing players. Encouraging their trainees to pursue their dreams and living their own dreams through these lads. And, while they may not be discussed with as much passion and enthusiasm as a Buchanan or a Jennings is, they know they are important, too.
Naushad Khan is a case in point. He goaded Kamran Khan to leave his home in Azamgarh and dream of playing ‘big’ cricket. Today, Kamran Khan has the eye of a Shane Warne and a IP contract with Rajasthan Royals worth Rs 12 lakh. Naushad has another of his proteges, Rahil Sheikh, expected to make waves in the DLF Indian Premier League.
All such coaches seek is a combination of raw talent and commitment from their wards. Delhi Daredevils captain Virender Sehwag may be a household name today but many years ago he convinced his coach AN Sharma that he was destined for laurels. “The light was fading and I told my trainees to pack up. Viru was batting at the school nets and told me ‘No sir. I can see the ball, let us carry on until I perfect the drive’,” recalled Sharma.
“Get your basics right, before you try to improvise,” says the seasoned coach Arun Bharadwaj. “There is a natural tendency among youngsters to imitate heroes – and they believe a hero can’t do anything wrong – but it must be remembered that only the very talented can improvise. So, I will always advocate trainees to get the basics right before they try playing the risky shots.”
It is a clarion call that you can hear around India. Out in Hyderabad, home of the Deccan Chargers which has some amazingly creative batsmen, former Ranji Trophy player Vijay Paul tells his wards to eschew risks. “Today’s youngsters are very observant; they watch TV and try some of these innovative strokes at the nets,” he says.
“We are constantly telling the lads to remember that strokes like the paddle sweep, the switch hit, the reverse sweep and the scoop over the wicket-keeper’s head all entail huge risks that they cannot afford to take in the longer version of the game. And that is what these lads play much of the time,” says Paul. “But we don’t curb their urge to add new strokes to their repertoire.”
Most coaches use an unconventional approach to make a good player better. And Sewhag’s mentor AN Sharma used two. In a candid chat, Sharma revealed the secret of Sehwag’s strong forearms that belt the ball away with the kind of power that most batsmen only dream of. “We used to have bat covers made of fabric. I filled a bag with sand and slung it on Sehwag’s back and asked him to bat. I knew it would help him develop power and hit the ball more fiercely.”
Sharma also recollects that Sehwag used to drag his backfoot constantly when at the nets. “Viru, you can’t give your wicket away so easily to the opposition. Let it earn your wicket.” Sharma then anchored Sewhag’s backfoot by tying one end of a rope to his right leg and the other end to a pole behind the nets. That did not let him drag his rear foot across the crease.
Interestingly, Sehwag has only been stumped out five times in his international career. And it is a good guess that he has been stumped not because he has dragged his foot across the crease but because he has been beaten after dancing down the track as Sri Lankan spinner Ajantha Mendia managed in the Asia Cup final in Karachi last year.
Indeed, coaches of the DLF-Indian Premier League teams have come to be in the limelight.
On the contrary, there are coaches who are critical cogs in the wheel, spotting and nurturing players. Encouraging their trainees to pursue their dreams and living their own dreams through these lads. And, while they may not be discussed with as much passion and enthusiasm as a Buchanan or a Jennings is, they know they are important, too.
Naushad Khan is a case in point. He goaded Kamran Khan to leave his home in Azamgarh and dream of playing ‘big’ cricket. Today, Kamran Khan has the eye of a Shane Warne and a IP contract with Rajasthan Royals worth Rs 12 lakh. Naushad has another of his proteges, Rahil Sheikh, expected to make waves in the DLF Indian Premier League.
All such coaches seek is a combination of raw talent and commitment from their wards. Delhi Daredevils captain Virender Sehwag may be a household name today but many years ago he convinced his coach AN Sharma that he was destined for laurels. “The light was fading and I told my trainees to pack up. Viru was batting at the school nets and told me ‘No sir. I can see the ball, let us carry on until I perfect the drive’,” recalled Sharma.
“Get your basics right, before you try to improvise,” says the seasoned coach Arun Bharadwaj. “There is a natural tendency among youngsters to imitate heroes – and they believe a hero can’t do anything wrong – but it must be remembered that only the very talented can improvise. So, I will always advocate trainees to get the basics right before they try playing the risky shots.”
It is a clarion call that you can hear around India. Out in Hyderabad, home of the Deccan Chargers which has some amazingly creative batsmen, former Ranji Trophy player Vijay Paul tells his wards to eschew risks. “Today’s youngsters are very observant; they watch TV and try some of these innovative strokes at the nets,” he says.
“We are constantly telling the lads to remember that strokes like the paddle sweep, the switch hit, the reverse sweep and the scoop over the wicket-keeper’s head all entail huge risks that they cannot afford to take in the longer version of the game. And that is what these lads play much of the time,” says Paul. “But we don’t curb their urge to add new strokes to their repertoire.”
Most coaches use an unconventional approach to make a good player better. And Sewhag’s mentor AN Sharma used two. In a candid chat, Sharma revealed the secret of Sehwag’s strong forearms that belt the ball away with the kind of power that most batsmen only dream of. “We used to have bat covers made of fabric. I filled a bag with sand and slung it on Sehwag’s back and asked him to bat. I knew it would help him develop power and hit the ball more fiercely.”
Sharma also recollects that Sehwag used to drag his backfoot constantly when at the nets. “Viru, you can’t give your wicket away so easily to the opposition. Let it earn your wicket.” Sharma then anchored Sewhag’s backfoot by tying one end of a rope to his right leg and the other end to a pole behind the nets. That did not let him drag his rear foot across the crease.
Interestingly, Sehwag has only been stumped out five times in his international career. And it is a good guess that he has been stumped not because he has dragged his foot across the crease but because he has been beaten after dancing down the track as Sri Lankan spinner Ajantha Mendia managed in the Asia Cup final in Karachi last year.
Ninety per cent match tickets sold: Modi
Cape Town: DLF Indian Premier League chairman Lalit Modi has said 90 per cent of the tickets for the Twenty20 mega event starting on Saturday have been sold at the eight venues.
"The ticket prices had been aimed at filling the stadiums," said Modi, ahead of the event which will start with Chennai Super Kings taking on Mumbai Indians in the first match of the day on Saturday. Modi said. “Although the IPL would be returning to India next year, the long-term vision is to turn it into a global brand, much the same way as the English Football Premier League.”
"Spectators will see world's best players playing competitive cricket and it is made more compelling because of the competitive instincts of the players," he added. The IPL chief said an important aspect of the marketing of the competition was advertising and Rand 120 million ($ 10 million) have been earmarked to attract spectators to the games.
"The ticket prices had been aimed at filling the stadiums," said Modi, ahead of the event which will start with Chennai Super Kings taking on Mumbai Indians in the first match of the day on Saturday. Modi said. “Although the IPL would be returning to India next year, the long-term vision is to turn it into a global brand, much the same way as the English Football Premier League.”
"Spectators will see world's best players playing competitive cricket and it is made more compelling because of the competitive instincts of the players," he added. The IPL chief said an important aspect of the marketing of the competition was advertising and Rand 120 million ($ 10 million) have been earmarked to attract spectators to the games.
IPL merchandise doing brisk sales
NEW DELHI: From T-shirts to caps, key chains to pens, lassi glasses to chewing gum, owners of teams in the DLF Indian Premier League have rolled out an array of merchandise to mark the second season of the Twenty20 tournament.
Estimates from three executives in three different IPL franchisees, indicated that the teams are looking at selling merchandise worth a combined Rs 35 to 40 crore this year. The teams’ own share of this amount is likely to be around Rs 6 to 8 crore, the rest of the money going to merchandise partners and licensees.
Chennai Super Kings has tied up in merchandising deals with retailer Future Group, chewing-gum maker Wrigley, pen-maker Camlin Ltd and Pepsi.
“This season, we expect around eight to 10 per cent of our revenues other than that from central pool to come from merchandise,” said India Cements Marketing Head Rakesh Singh. “Even our existing partners, sportswear retailer Reebok India and men’s apparel maker, Peter England are working on an affordable range of apparel.”
Mohali-based Kings XI Punjab, co-owned by Preity Zinta, is looking at selling items such as lassi (butter milk) glasses, mugs, badges and special autographed items at points of ticket sales. The team also has a tie-up for merchandise with textile manufacturer Bombay Dyeing and Manufacturing Co. Ltd.
The company that makes steel products for King’s XI Punjab is targeting sales of up to Rs 12 crore in five years. And it has an online partner as well in e-Bay. “We are delighted to partner with Hot Muggs to power the sale of these exquisite IPL merchandise to cater to the wide interests of its online shoppers. We are sure true cricket fans will be thrilled to buy and own merchandise at great prices," said e-Bay India Senior Manager Ms. Deepa Thomas.
Kolkata Knight Riders, the team co-owned by actor Shah Rukh Khan, is also expanding its portfolio of products. The big players like Reebok, adidas, BDM and Kookaburra are all in the game. "Never before have replica jerseys been so popular with the cricket crazy nation until SRK stood tall in his 12th-man jersey in the last season of the mega event," says Reebok India’s SS Prem.
Delhi Daredevils, owned by GMR Holdings Ltd, tied up with sportswear maker adidas India last year. It has also tied up with Delhi-based garment maker Genesis India. “Genesis will not only make items such as cheering signs, posters and key chains for us, but also non-branded T-shirts at lower price points,” said Delhi Daredevil marketing manager Vidur Naik. “This time, the Adidas merchandise will be available at 71 stores, up from 45 stores last year.”
One of the primary reasons for the stress on affordable prices is to check sales of fake products that are available at much cheaper prices. “Counterfeiting is a big problem here (in India). Last time, I saw a lot of fans wearing fake T-shirts. Availability of more affordable original products will help plug this hole,” said Deccan Chargers vice-president Darshan M.
Even as efforts to build the merchandise portfolio gain ground, most franchisees say it will take the segment some time to generate substantial sales. While sports merchandising contributes 30 to 35 per cent of total revenue of most sports bodies in evolved markets, it is still a nascent concept in India. The biggest chunk of revenue for the eight franchisees comes from the central pool, which includes media rights and sponsorship.
Estimates from three executives in three different IPL franchisees, indicated that the teams are looking at selling merchandise worth a combined Rs 35 to 40 crore this year. The teams’ own share of this amount is likely to be around Rs 6 to 8 crore, the rest of the money going to merchandise partners and licensees.
Chennai Super Kings has tied up in merchandising deals with retailer Future Group, chewing-gum maker Wrigley, pen-maker Camlin Ltd and Pepsi.
“This season, we expect around eight to 10 per cent of our revenues other than that from central pool to come from merchandise,” said India Cements Marketing Head Rakesh Singh. “Even our existing partners, sportswear retailer Reebok India and men’s apparel maker, Peter England are working on an affordable range of apparel.”
Mohali-based Kings XI Punjab, co-owned by Preity Zinta, is looking at selling items such as lassi (butter milk) glasses, mugs, badges and special autographed items at points of ticket sales. The team also has a tie-up for merchandise with textile manufacturer Bombay Dyeing and Manufacturing Co. Ltd.
The company that makes steel products for King’s XI Punjab is targeting sales of up to Rs 12 crore in five years. And it has an online partner as well in e-Bay. “We are delighted to partner with Hot Muggs to power the sale of these exquisite IPL merchandise to cater to the wide interests of its online shoppers. We are sure true cricket fans will be thrilled to buy and own merchandise at great prices," said e-Bay India Senior Manager Ms. Deepa Thomas.
Kolkata Knight Riders, the team co-owned by actor Shah Rukh Khan, is also expanding its portfolio of products. The big players like Reebok, adidas, BDM and Kookaburra are all in the game. "Never before have replica jerseys been so popular with the cricket crazy nation until SRK stood tall in his 12th-man jersey in the last season of the mega event," says Reebok India’s SS Prem.
Delhi Daredevils, owned by GMR Holdings Ltd, tied up with sportswear maker adidas India last year. It has also tied up with Delhi-based garment maker Genesis India. “Genesis will not only make items such as cheering signs, posters and key chains for us, but also non-branded T-shirts at lower price points,” said Delhi Daredevil marketing manager Vidur Naik. “This time, the Adidas merchandise will be available at 71 stores, up from 45 stores last year.”
One of the primary reasons for the stress on affordable prices is to check sales of fake products that are available at much cheaper prices. “Counterfeiting is a big problem here (in India). Last time, I saw a lot of fans wearing fake T-shirts. Availability of more affordable original products will help plug this hole,” said Deccan Chargers vice-president Darshan M.
Even as efforts to build the merchandise portfolio gain ground, most franchisees say it will take the segment some time to generate substantial sales. While sports merchandising contributes 30 to 35 per cent of total revenue of most sports bodies in evolved markets, it is still a nascent concept in India. The biggest chunk of revenue for the eight franchisees comes from the central pool, which includes media rights and sponsorship.
IPL to impose fines for slow over-rates
Cape Town: In an attempt to deliberately minimise match-time delays, the DLF Indian Premier League has decided to levy heavy fines on teams which resort to slow over rates.
A fine of USD 20,000 will be levied on the captain for a first offence and USD 220,000 on the entire team for the second. The third offence will result in a team fine of USD 360,000 and a one-match ban for the captain.
“Last year we found that 59 out of 59 games went overtime by as high as 45 to 50 minutes or an hour, “said the Commissioner and Chairman of IPL, Lalit Modi. “Each game was being dragged further and further. The reasons were that players were going back and forth with messages and there was a lot of tactics being decided from time to time. So we decided that we’re going to tighten those as far as overs are concerned, time of overs is concerned and time of play is concerned.” he added
A fine of USD 20,000 will be levied on the captain for a first offence and USD 220,000 on the entire team for the second. The third offence will result in a team fine of USD 360,000 and a one-match ban for the captain.
“Last year we found that 59 out of 59 games went overtime by as high as 45 to 50 minutes or an hour, “said the Commissioner and Chairman of IPL, Lalit Modi. “Each game was being dragged further and further. The reasons were that players were going back and forth with messages and there was a lot of tactics being decided from time to time. So we decided that we’re going to tighten those as far as overs are concerned, time of overs is concerned and time of play is concerned.” he added
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
ICL India beat ICL Pakistani by 4 wickets
The 2nd match of the ICL 20s World Series featured the big battle between traditional rivals & defending champions ICL India & the star studded ICL Pakistani. R Sathish won the toss and put the ICL Pakistani in to bat.
The usually explosive opening duo of the two Imrans (Farhat & Nazir) could not get off to their usual start, with ICL India debutant Jesuraj scalping Farhat in the first over, without troubling the scorers. Jesuraj struck again in the 3rd over, cutting short the promising innings of Imran Nazir (16) to leave the Pakistani dugout in a bit of a concern at 23/2. The five over mark had the Pakistani scorecard reading 44/2.
The inform Rana Naved in company of the promising Shahid Yousuf got into the repair act right away taking the score to 73 in the 8thover till Vignesh picked up Yousuf with 13 runs against his name. Sathish introduced his premier spinner for a second spell in the crucial 10th over who struck immediately with his first ball, getting the big wicket of Rana Naved out for a 44 off 31 balls, laced with 7 fours and one six. The half way mark of the Pakistani innings had the game at “Evens-Stevens”, with the scorecard reading 83/4. The middle overs had Inzamam & Razzaq working up a wonderful partnership looking good in the middle till the prodigal Murtaza picked his second scalp in form of the legendary Inzamam for a well made 24. Razzaq too perished to an irresponsible shot in the 15th over to give ICL India the upper hand at the Pakistani score of 118/6 at that stage of the innings. Loss of wickets at regular intervals compounded by some smart bowling in the death overs by the young Indian side; restricted the Pakistani total at 165/9 in their allotted 20 overs. For the ICL India side it was the wily Murtaza & debutant Jesuraj who emerged the most successful bowlers picking 3 wickets a piece.
The Indian chase got off to an indifferent start with Vignesh run out early at the Indian score of 13 in only the 2nd over of the innings. The five over mark had the Indians in a steady position placed at 40/1 & the young Hyderabadi duo of Rayudu & Khaleel battling it out in the middle. Both batsmen were playing sensible cricket with some percentage shots brining their fifty run partnership off 37 balls in the 7th over. Just when the partnership was taking a dangerous turn Khaleel, was scalped by the experienced Arshad Khan in the 9th over, for a well made 36, ending the 67 run partnership for the 2nd wicket. The half way mark of the Indian innings had the score card reading 85/2, needing another 81 runs off 60 balls.
Just when it seemed easy sailing for the Indians, cheap dismissals of Binny & Sathish brought the Pakistanis right backing the match in the crucial middle overs. Rayudu was however playing the sheath anchor role to perfection brining his 4th ICL fifty off 37 balls laced with 6 fours and 1 six. With five overs to go the Indians needed just 38 runs to win off 30 balls with the prodigal Rayudu looking in solid touch in the middle. The Pakistanis were not going to go down without a fight and Razzaq brought back the Pakistanis with the big wicket of Rayudu in the 16th over out for a 65. A wicket off the last ball of the 18th Sami over in form of Abbas Ali had the high pressure game wide open at the penultimate over stage at the Indian score of 153/6, needing 13 runs off 12 balls. Badani was playing a crucial knock for the Indians brining in al his international experience in play in the high pressure situation. In the end it was the crucial knock of 32 off 22 balls by the experienced Badani that sealed a brilliant victory of the young Indian side.
The usually explosive opening duo of the two Imrans (Farhat & Nazir) could not get off to their usual start, with ICL India debutant Jesuraj scalping Farhat in the first over, without troubling the scorers. Jesuraj struck again in the 3rd over, cutting short the promising innings of Imran Nazir (16) to leave the Pakistani dugout in a bit of a concern at 23/2. The five over mark had the Pakistani scorecard reading 44/2.
The inform Rana Naved in company of the promising Shahid Yousuf got into the repair act right away taking the score to 73 in the 8thover till Vignesh picked up Yousuf with 13 runs against his name. Sathish introduced his premier spinner for a second spell in the crucial 10th over who struck immediately with his first ball, getting the big wicket of Rana Naved out for a 44 off 31 balls, laced with 7 fours and one six. The half way mark of the Pakistani innings had the game at “Evens-Stevens”, with the scorecard reading 83/4. The middle overs had Inzamam & Razzaq working up a wonderful partnership looking good in the middle till the prodigal Murtaza picked his second scalp in form of the legendary Inzamam for a well made 24. Razzaq too perished to an irresponsible shot in the 15th over to give ICL India the upper hand at the Pakistani score of 118/6 at that stage of the innings. Loss of wickets at regular intervals compounded by some smart bowling in the death overs by the young Indian side; restricted the Pakistani total at 165/9 in their allotted 20 overs. For the ICL India side it was the wily Murtaza & debutant Jesuraj who emerged the most successful bowlers picking 3 wickets a piece.
The Indian chase got off to an indifferent start with Vignesh run out early at the Indian score of 13 in only the 2nd over of the innings. The five over mark had the Indians in a steady position placed at 40/1 & the young Hyderabadi duo of Rayudu & Khaleel battling it out in the middle. Both batsmen were playing sensible cricket with some percentage shots brining their fifty run partnership off 37 balls in the 7th over. Just when the partnership was taking a dangerous turn Khaleel, was scalped by the experienced Arshad Khan in the 9th over, for a well made 36, ending the 67 run partnership for the 2nd wicket. The half way mark of the Indian innings had the score card reading 85/2, needing another 81 runs off 60 balls.
Just when it seemed easy sailing for the Indians, cheap dismissals of Binny & Sathish brought the Pakistanis right backing the match in the crucial middle overs. Rayudu was however playing the sheath anchor role to perfection brining his 4th ICL fifty off 37 balls laced with 6 fours and 1 six. With five overs to go the Indians needed just 38 runs to win off 30 balls with the prodigal Rayudu looking in solid touch in the middle. The Pakistanis were not going to go down without a fight and Razzaq brought back the Pakistanis with the big wicket of Rayudu in the 16th over out for a 65. A wicket off the last ball of the 18th Sami over in form of Abbas Ali had the high pressure game wide open at the penultimate over stage at the Indian score of 153/6, needing 13 runs off 12 balls. Badani was playing a crucial knock for the Indians brining in al his international experience in play in the high pressure situation. In the end it was the crucial knock of 32 off 22 balls by the experienced Badani that sealed a brilliant victory of the young Indian side.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
ICL World beat ICL Bangladesh by 12 runs
The Inaugural match of the ICL 20s World Series featured the spirited ICL – Bangladesh take on the formidable ICL- World at the Sardar Patel Stadium, Ahmedabad. In the end it was a disciplined effort from the ICL –World compounded by a batting failure from the usually strong Bangladesh batting that saw the World side win the tournament opener by a comprehensive margin of 12 runs. Lance Klusener was declared man of the match for all round performance that included an anchoring half century followed by three wickets in the crucial middle overs.
Start of the play saw Habib Ul Bashar won the toss and elected to field wanting to take first advantage of the freshly laid pitch. The World side opened with the formidable combination of Harvey & Goodwin who got off to a quick start racing off to 21 in the second over, till Harvey played a cut shot straight in the hands Kapali, at point off Baisya. Bashar introduced his experienced spinner Mohammad Rafique as early as the third over who struck immediately, castling the dangerous Martyn, to leave the world side in a bit of a bother at 22/2. Rafique struck again in the 5th over, getting the big wicket of Murray Goodwin for a well made 27 off 16 balls that included six hits to the boundary. The five over mark had the ICL-World side placed at 41/3.
Boje & Klusener got into the repair act right away playing some percentage strokes; working up a strong partnership worth over 50 runs at that stage of the match, to take the score to 91/3 at the half way mark of the ICL-World innings. The 55 run partnership for the 4th wicket came to an end in the11th over, with a failed reverse sweep attempt by Boje, resulted in his stumping off Mosharraf. Boje’s innings was worth 34 runs off 23 balls; laced with 5 fours.
Lance Klusener was anchoring the ICL-World innings against a committed & disciplined effort in the field by the Bangladeshi side. Mosharraf Hossain was the pick of the bowlers in the middle overs picking up the crucial wickets of Boje & Nixon for only 30 runs in his allotted 4 overs. Klusener got about his 5th ICL fifty in the 19th over, coming off only 43 balls studded with 4 fours & 1 six. The world innings finally folded at a healthy 167/6 in their allotted 20 overs, foreseeing a interesting 2nd session. For the Bangladesh side it was their left arm spinners who were the highlight in the field, with Rafique & Hossain picking three & two wickets respectively.
The Bangladesh chase got off to a brisk start with the dangerous Nazimuddin hitting two sixes off the third over from Gillespie to race of to 20 runs off only 10 balls. However a shot too many brought his promising innings to an end in the 4th over off Andre Adams, ending the 28 run partnership for the first wicket. The five over mark had the Bangladesh side well placed, right in hunt of the challenging target at 50/1. Aftab Ahmed was looking good in the middle playing some brilliant shots all across the ground, helped by a difficult dropped chance & missed stumping to power the score to 75 in the 7thover , till he was foxed by the experienced Boje to be stumped by Nixon for a well made 29. Harris brought on Klusener in the 10th over who struck immediately with the big wicket of Alok Kapali, cheaply for 1, to bring back ICL World right backing the game. The halfway mark of the Bangladesh innings had the scorecard read 77/3; needing 91 runs off 60 balls.
A middle order collapse where the Bangladesh side lost 3 wickets in four balls had the game do a sudden U-turn, with the scorecard reading a sorry picture at 89/6 in the 13th over. It was complete hara-kiri by the Bangladesh middle order loosing 6 wickets for 16 runs in the crucial middle overs. The Bangladesh side could not quite recover from the batting fiasco, needing a nearly impossible task of needing 40 runs off the last 2 overs. A late onslaught by Rafique, Baisya and especially Mosharraf Hossain (28 runs off 21 balls) was too little too late and saw Bangladesh fall short of the target by 12runs.
Start of the play saw Habib Ul Bashar won the toss and elected to field wanting to take first advantage of the freshly laid pitch. The World side opened with the formidable combination of Harvey & Goodwin who got off to a quick start racing off to 21 in the second over, till Harvey played a cut shot straight in the hands Kapali, at point off Baisya. Bashar introduced his experienced spinner Mohammad Rafique as early as the third over who struck immediately, castling the dangerous Martyn, to leave the world side in a bit of a bother at 22/2. Rafique struck again in the 5th over, getting the big wicket of Murray Goodwin for a well made 27 off 16 balls that included six hits to the boundary. The five over mark had the ICL-World side placed at 41/3.
Boje & Klusener got into the repair act right away playing some percentage strokes; working up a strong partnership worth over 50 runs at that stage of the match, to take the score to 91/3 at the half way mark of the ICL-World innings. The 55 run partnership for the 4th wicket came to an end in the11th over, with a failed reverse sweep attempt by Boje, resulted in his stumping off Mosharraf. Boje’s innings was worth 34 runs off 23 balls; laced with 5 fours.
Lance Klusener was anchoring the ICL-World innings against a committed & disciplined effort in the field by the Bangladeshi side. Mosharraf Hossain was the pick of the bowlers in the middle overs picking up the crucial wickets of Boje & Nixon for only 30 runs in his allotted 4 overs. Klusener got about his 5th ICL fifty in the 19th over, coming off only 43 balls studded with 4 fours & 1 six. The world innings finally folded at a healthy 167/6 in their allotted 20 overs, foreseeing a interesting 2nd session. For the Bangladesh side it was their left arm spinners who were the highlight in the field, with Rafique & Hossain picking three & two wickets respectively.
The Bangladesh chase got off to a brisk start with the dangerous Nazimuddin hitting two sixes off the third over from Gillespie to race of to 20 runs off only 10 balls. However a shot too many brought his promising innings to an end in the 4th over off Andre Adams, ending the 28 run partnership for the first wicket. The five over mark had the Bangladesh side well placed, right in hunt of the challenging target at 50/1. Aftab Ahmed was looking good in the middle playing some brilliant shots all across the ground, helped by a difficult dropped chance & missed stumping to power the score to 75 in the 7thover , till he was foxed by the experienced Boje to be stumped by Nixon for a well made 29. Harris brought on Klusener in the 10th over who struck immediately with the big wicket of Alok Kapali, cheaply for 1, to bring back ICL World right backing the game. The halfway mark of the Bangladesh innings had the scorecard read 77/3; needing 91 runs off 60 balls.
A middle order collapse where the Bangladesh side lost 3 wickets in four balls had the game do a sudden U-turn, with the scorecard reading a sorry picture at 89/6 in the 13th over. It was complete hara-kiri by the Bangladesh middle order loosing 6 wickets for 16 runs in the crucial middle overs. The Bangladesh side could not quite recover from the batting fiasco, needing a nearly impossible task of needing 40 runs off the last 2 overs. A late onslaught by Rafique, Baisya and especially Mosharraf Hossain (28 runs off 21 balls) was too little too late and saw Bangladesh fall short of the target by 12runs.
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