I no more offer my wicket as gift: Ashraful

The hero of Bangladesh’s win against South Africa, Mohammad Ashraful speaks about his performance in the World Cup. Q: Such an outstanding win while you are held to be the hero of this match. We can understand how you feel, still let us know. Ash: Obviously a great feeling. They are number one in the rankings and a win against a team like South Africa, simply terrific! Again it became crucial for me to play such an innings. I was playing well, yet I was number six in the batting order.

In the first two matches of the World Cup I had to bat in number seven according to my team’s requirement. That is why I was not able to do that much. But I was more or less satisfied with my batting. I felt that I was doing it alright. Then I played as number five in our match against Bermuda, won the game and so became ‘man of the match’. But today’s innings is far more different. Everybody expects me to play more innings like this one, and so do I. Because I know what I am capable of doing it.

Q: We really performed badly in the first two Super Eight matches. Our next opponent was South Africa against whom we could not do well in previous outings. What were your thoughts regarding this match?

Ash: We were ‘not out’ in the three matches of the first round. Then I scored only 3 and 6 consequently in the first two matches of the Super Eight round. I was not doing well and the team was going through the same condition. When I came to know in the team meeting that Suman bhai will play as number three and I will be in fifth position, I was determined to stay at the wicket till the end. However it was not so easy, specially when the opponent was South Africa. Because this team never lets their opponent batsman relax for a moment. Besides they prefer pace bowlers rather than employing spinner. This was a plus point too. Once you have set yourself in, you will have more fun out of pace bowling. So at first I tried to set myself. Saqib lost his wicket as soon as I came to the wicket. Then came Aftab. We had a plan, which was not loose any wicket within next ten overs. Otherwise we will definitely loose rest of the wickets. No doubt, this plan worked.

Q: The comparison is obvious between Cardiff and Georgetown. What if you are asked to compare these two matches?

Ash: Two innings have got different flavours. In Cardiff we defeated Australia on English ground where we had been facing fierce criticism on our test status. It totally stopped after we won the match. This time too, everybody has said that we have spoiled the fun, qualifying for Super Eights. So the real satisfaction came from two different levels. Besides, in that one I scored 100 and in this one it is 87.

Q: So you mean to say this 87 in Georgetown has surpassed the previous century?

Ash: I give same points to both of them.

Q: You have almost driven the South African bowlers crazy playing scoop paddle shots. The way you played, it seemed you practice it regularly.

Ash: I usually try to practice frequently while batting in net during slog overs .

Q: But it involves high risk, doesn’t it? Fine, if it is done well. But once you are caught, everybody will say ‘he thinks himself over smart.’

Ash: Well, this is cricket. And also the same people may appreciate when the shots are so risky.

Q: Is there any matter of showing off in this? Something like, “…okay look at me, see what I am capable of?”

Ash: (smiles) Why should I show off? I know I can play this shot.

Q: How will you differentiate between the past and present Ashraful as batsman?

Ash: The remarkable difference is that I used to take careless shots, which I am not taking anymore for last two months. Though I lost my wicket to Australia in this tournament, I try now not to give wickets without taking any run. I do not anymore go for the luxury of playing shots.

Q: That means you don’t anymore attempt risky shots? Why? is this because of your age?

Ash: Age and experience.

Q: Everybody knows that you are quite capable of playing innings like the one you played today. But your career records say, you play like this after long gaps then fall asleep again. Why?

Ash: To be very honest, I become too much happy. For instance here in this World Cup I became over confident remaining not out in the 1st round. As a result I tried to go beyond limits against Australia. I would have done better if I had played normal.

Q: It seems that your self analytical ability has improved. Is this also a reason behind your good performance?

Ash: I was very whimsical in the past and went for risky shots. I was able to do whatever I wanted to do. But now my body doesn’t permit me that much. Perhaps its due to lack of practice.

Q: Is it good or bad?

Ash: Good of course. I knew that it was risky to play offensive shots in the beginning of the innings. But my brain did not work. Now it is working a bit I guess.

Q: The talent you possess, was supposed to be the central factor of Bangladeshi batting in international cricket. But it did not happen like that, whom will you hold responsible?

Ash: Of course it is my responsibility. I failed to play well. Who else shall I blame? I should have made more runs. If I had done better the whole condition of Bangladesh team would have been better.

Q: Guess it was painful for you to be seventh in batting order.

Ash: Yes…it was a bit hard…like that.

Q: How did you take the situation?

Ash: Normally, because then the team had no space other than that. Those who are ahead of me, were more or less good players. For example Sakib, who is doing so well in international games. Suman Bhai also did well before me….so as a whole I took it normally.

Q: But what about today? Unless you were number five, it would not have been possible to play such an innings.

Ash: No way of winning from batting in sixth position. Take the match against New Zealand as an example, I was number six, 17 overs left. It was possible to take 2 each over and score 34 and then cover up to 50 with a few shots. I began with this plan. Sakib and later Mushfiq were with me. Sakib’s wicket fall soon after I started. A few moments later, when Mushfiq also went back to pavilion, I seriously fell under pressure. With whom shall I pursue with and execute my plan? Neither could I rely on Mashrafe as I saw him playing an over from the non-striking end. It turned to be an extra burden for me. It’s really tough playing in 6th or 7th position.

Q: So there was a challenge before you to utilize the 5th position in batting order. You couldn’t have done better, could you?

Ash: In this World Cup I have batted in 5th position in matches against Bermuda, Australia and South Africa. Among these I have become man of the match in two winning games for Bangladesh. Before leaving Bangladesh I told the newspapers that I see myself to be the star batsman for Bangladesh team. I knew that it was a bit unusual to talk like that; but I also had the belief that I was going to do well in the World Cup.