DHAKA, Dec 4, 2019 (BSS) – Left-arm spinner Tanvir Islam hogged the
limelight with an intriguing show of spin bowling on a wicket that offered
bounce and turn aplenty at the Kiritpur, Nepal as Bangladesh demolished
Maldives by 109 runs in their opening game of South Asian Games male cricket
discipline.
The match is predicted to be a mismatch when Bangladesh team, boasted with
several national players, took a team that is ranked 76th in World T20
rankings. But Tanvir made him obvious amongst those who are stars in
Bangladesh context.
The spinner, who plays first class cricket for Barishal Division claimed
5-19 in 2.4 overs to help Bangladesh wrap up Maldives for 65, after they put
on 174-4.
With the selectors keeping a close eye on the players’ performance in this
tournament to create a players pool for the World T20, even though it doesn’t
get official T20 status, Tanvir’s performance gives them an option in spin
department.
As Tanvir wrecked-havoc in a sensational spin bowling, only two Maldives
batsmen were able to reach double-figure with opener Evan scoring the highest
12 runs.
But rather than his own effort, Tanvir said that he is happy that
Bangladesh made a bright start in their bid to acquire the gold medal in the
regional games.
”I think we had a perfect start, something what we wanted,” Tanvir said
after the match.
Despite it was the wicket conducive for the spinners, Tanvir added that he
resisted him from being over-excited and is trying to maintain good line and
length.
“The wicket was turning, which could please a spinner but over-excitement
could do harm. So I wanted to make sure that I am bowling in the right areas
and as I was able to do that I think it brought me the five wickets,” he
added.
Bangladesh formed a team for this game with players under 23 and according
to the rules of the game, they also took three players who are over 23.
No Bangladeshi batsmen however could reach half-century mark with captain
Nazmul Hossain Shanto hitting the highest 49 off 38 with one four and three
sixes. Soumya Sarkar was the other notable scorer with 33 ball-46 while Naim
Sheikh chipped-in-with 38 off 28.
An overwhelmingly favourite due to form the team mostly with national
players, Bangladesh will further take on Sri Lanka Under-23 team, Bhutan and
hosts Nepal. Their next match is against Bhutan on Friday.