& çâÌæÚUæð´ ·¤è ¥ôÚU Îð¹Ùæ ÁæÚUè ÚU¹ð´ ¥ÍæüÌ ¥ÂÙð ÜÿØ ÂÚU ŠØæÙ ÚU¹ð´Ð ãæÚU Ù ×æÙð´, €UØô´ç·¤ ·¤æ× ·¤ÚUÙð âð ¥æÂ·¤ô ©gðàØ ·¤è Âýæç# ãôÌè ãñ ¥õÚU ÁèßÙ ·¤æ ¹æÜèÂÙ ÎêÚU ãôÌæ ãñÐ ÖÜð ãè ÁèßÙ ×ð´ ç·¤ÌÙè Öè ·¤çÆÙæ§ü €UØô´ Ù ¥æ°, çÁ™ææâæ ¥õÚU ©ˆâæã ÕÙæ° ÚU¹ð´Ð ŠØæÙ ÚU¹ð´, ÜÿØ ã×ðàææ ¥æÂ·Ô¤ Âæâ ãôÌð ãñ´ çÁ‹ãð´ ÂæÙð ·Ô¤ çÜ° ÂýØæâ ¥æÂ ·¤Öè Öè àæéM¤ ·¤ÚU â·¤Ìð ãñ´Ð

Time to go for the kill

Bangladesh-Zimbabwe first Test starts today

BishwajitRoy
The phrase 'kill or be killed' is an appropriate expression to describe Bangladesh's last series of the year, which begins today at Mirpur with the first Test against Zimbabwe.
But it's not because the upcoming series - a battle at the bottom of the Test ranking table - is an event that the rest of the world would take any note of.
It's because for Bangladesh this remains their last opportunity to salvage some pride in 2014.
And the stage, with the slow and low wickets and the return of ace allrounder Shakib Al Hasan in the side, is all set for the home team to make that turnaround. All they need now is that killer instinct that they lacked throughout the year.
Bangladesh have had a poor showing this year, both with and without Shakib. However, his return still means a lot to the team. Tamim Iqbal and a number of other top-order batsmen have been among the runs. What also should go in favour of Bangladesh is Zimbabwe's inexperienced spin attack.
Despite the fact that Brendan Taylor, Hamilton Masakadza and a number of other players have the experience of playing in Bangladesh's domestic leagues, the hosts remain favourites.
The only question that remains now is whether the Tigers can apply themselves in the middle. Cricket is a game of uncertainty but for this series Mushfiqur Rahim's men must ensure that the phrase remains a popular saying.
Captain Mushfiqur portrayed a positive scenario in the pre-match press conference yesterday.
He said that everyone was hungry to do well and also reckoned that it was an opportunity for the players to target big individual scores.
“At this point of time, we need a win and we have worked hard and done everything possible for that; both on and off the field," he told.
There had been a lot of questions on the players' commitment and
responsibility—following the series of defeats this year - especially against the batsmen and Mushfiqur hoped that they would be responsible to bring back smiles on the faces of millions of fans at home.
Bangladesh have limited opportu-
nities to play Test cricket, as a result Mushfiqur believes that this three-match Test series is a good opportunity for them to win and perhaps even dominate.
According to Mushfiqur, pace bowlers might get help in the early on but
as the Test prolongs the wicket might get low and spinners are expected to get help. He also hinted that young leg-spinner Jubair Hossain has a very good chance to make his debut.
"As the spin factor will be crucial on this wicket, he has a good chance of playing. We have only Taijul [Islam] and Jubair as specialist spinners, Shakib is an all-rounder, there is a good chance of him playing. Hopefolly he will give his best," he reckoned.
Taylor also said in the pre-match briefing that spinners would play crucial role. Bangladesh skipper on the other hand did not seem to be concerned about Zimbabwe’s spin-attack.
"I don't think there is that much of a concern. Their entire spin department is quite inexperienced," a confident Mushfiqur said.
This is a year where Bangladesh have already spoiled many opportunities. This is their last and most important chance, for if they fail to click here, the pain will be unbearable going into the World Cup.