Asia Cup 2018: Bangladesh's Rahim and Iqbal were bravery personified

Ajit Vijaykumar 22:00 15/09/2018
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Mushfiqur Rahim scored a fine 144 on Saturday.

    What is bravery on the cricket field? Is it facing the best bowlers in the world? Conquering extreme conditions? Rescuing your team from deep trouble? Overcoming physical pain? On Saturday, Bangladesh veterans Mushfiqur Rahim and Tamim Iqbal did all of the above in one of the bravest efforts you will see on a cricket ground.

    In just the second over the Asia Cup opener against Sri Lanka, opener Iqbal was smashed on the wrist by a Suranga Lakmal lifter. He retired hurt and subsequent test found a fracture. The classy opener was ruled out of the Asia Cup within the first 15 minutes and Bangladesh were effectively 3-3 after Lasith Malinga had picked up two in his first over back in Sri Lanka’s jersey.

    Bangladesh wicketkeeper Rahim was batting at number three. The ball was moving off the surface and Malinga and Lakmal had their tails up. One more wicket and it would have been game over.

    But Rahim has been around for 13 years at the highest level as wicket-keeper, batsman and also captain. He knew he only needed to see out the opening bowlers’ spell as the rest of the attack wasn’t as threatening in the absence of  spin ace Akila Dananjaya.

    Captain Angelo Mathews dropped Mohammad Mithun in the fifth over off the bowling of Malinga. And that was all that Rahim and Bangladesh needed to get some belief back.

    Rahim and Mithun added 131 by the half-way mark. Malinga came back and got the wicket of Mithun for 63. Thereafter, Bangladesh lost their way and were tottering at 195-7 and then 203-8.

    Mushfiqur was approaching a deserved hundred but in the heat and humidity of Dubai, was struggling to run between the wickets and hobbling towards the final five overs.

    He reached three figures in the 44th over but knew the job wasn’t done. When the ninth wicket fell for 229, it seemed the innings was over as Tamim had broken his wrist. But the opener walked out to bat, with his fingers hanging out of a cut glove and the bat on the other hand.

    Tamim had to face one ball using just the top hand as Bangladesh had three more overs to bat. The opener somehow survived and handed it over to Rahim.

    The keeper not only faced the remaining 15 deliveries but also added 32 runs with the help of some ramp shots and full-blooded sixes over mid wicket. And he could barely complete a run.

    There were two Bangladesh batsmen out there in the final five overs of their innings, clearly in pain and greatly hampered in their shot making and movements. But they didn’t give up. They threw caution to the wind and put their bodies on the line. Tamim and Rahim have shown Bangladesh are here to fight and it was a privilege to watch them on the field.

    Recommended