Monir Duo’s
Bangla Warriors 2nd Div faced another defeat on Aug 05, 2023 they were facing Cardinal Sports Academy (CSA). It was a 9:00 a.m. match, Dew was there on the pitch and the outfield was wet, the skipper Nafiul decided to bowl first. Hoping to wrap the opposition as quickly as possible but the openers from CSA had a different plan, both the openers negotiated well against the quickies from the Warriors, as there were few edges but it didn’t carry to the keeper or neither to any of the fielders.
The skipper brought on an off-spinner Akash and the left-arm quickie Tawsif, as he realized the ground is drying out and the pitch will be easy to bat on. Tawsif kept the openers on a tight leash but Akash leaked a few runs, that’s when the leggie Monir Ahmed was introduced. He has been showing potential during the practices, the skipper spoke with his deputy, and as imagined the leggie gets to bowl.
In the over 14.4 the ball dipped and the opener committed for an early shot sky high to long on where Saidur made a difficult catch that looked easy and just like that Monir A. got his debut wicket. All the players rushed towards him to congratulate him and wanted to know his emotions and humbly he replied “Aaro hobe” (more to come) and with that comment and laughter among the teammates brought the team morale up. CSA 56-1 and CSA 56-2 WHAT A CATCH at point by Muzzy at point diving forward, one-handed grab just picked it up before it kissed the ground, spectacular grab. Tawsif was on song today, keeping the batters scratching their head.
The skipper brought himself on and picked 4 scalpers while Saidur and Tawsif cleaned up the lower order, restricting CSA at 158/10
Bangla Warriors’ top and middle order collapsed; we don’t want to take anything away from the CSA bowlers they were bowling great but it’s the mindset of batters that were not in a state of mind. The regular openers were not available so the skipper tried out a new opening pair, which didn’t work as we lost an opener on the second over at the score of 6/1 and second wicket followed 7/2 CSA just started to stirred the match towards them Abraham and Asifujjaman showed resistance but initially failed. The lower order was exposed and any moment the match could be wrapping up BUT wait Samiul Monir has a different plan, taking the match as deep as possible and we are at the dressing room counting the runs backwards and waiting for an miracle and guess who’s there to support Samiul Monir, it’s Monir Ahmed! the “Monir Duos” Samiul made his presence by playing a full fledged cover drive gone for 4 and picked up the lose balls dispersed them for 6’s five of them to be exact. The young team has now gone quiet, few concerned faces in the middle from CSA players.
The Monir’s were playing without any fear and ticking the scoreboard but on the 25th over a ball graced Monir Ahmed’s gloves and the keepers took an excellent catch diving to his left, the entertainment has come to an end, with the last man going in Tawsif and Samiul added another 20 runs, before Samiul chipped a catch to mid on going for an single and his innings ended personal best at 45 (45) [4×1, 6×5] and Bangla Warriors lost by 43 runs with 10 overs to spare.
Bangla Warriors gave 28 extras during their bowling spell and four top order batters couldn’t score double digit. The fielding was great, but you need to succeed in all three departments to win matches specially close matches, it’s the small mistakes that’s costing us big.
Well, Bangla Warriors 2nd div has a break and will return on Aug 19th hope to see on the ground, take care.
-Mostafa Daud
