Representing Bangladesh in 19 ODIs between 1988 and 1998, Athar Ali Khan has been a illustrious figure within the country’s cricketing history.
Following his playing profession, he seamlessly transitioned into commentary, starting valid as Bangladesh received Test plot in 2000. With over two a protracted time of trip within the commentary field, Athar Ali has change into one amongst the most revered voices in cricket, in overall being the lone Bangladeshi representative on international commentary panels. Most not too long ago, he became in Pakistan to commentate on the historic two-Test series against Bangladesh.
In an unfamiliar interview with The Enterprise Fashioned, Athar Ali Khan spoke about Bangladesh’s historic Test fetch against Pakistan, the crew’s model of play, his thoughts on Tamim Iqbal becoming a member of the commentary panel, and his expectations from the crew within the upcoming India tour.
Initially, narrate us about your first-hand trip of Bangladesh’s historic Test series fetch against Pakistan.
I deem that is a once-in-a-lifetime trip for everyone within the cricket replace. I aloof can’t deem that now we beget received not valid one but two Test fits against Pakistan, and that too in Pakistan. Because the asserting goes, could well beget to you dream large, your desires will advance lovely, and this became precisely delight in that. It became basically sensational. To be fair, I’m lost for phrases making an try to portray these emotions, and I’ve witnessed Bangladesh fetch some important fits. I’ve seen the highs and lows—the fetch against Australia in 2005, India in 2007, the Mount Maunganui Test victory against New Zealand, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s upward thrust against Australia and England in 2017. These are all fond memories, but this series fetch against Pakistan would be the most involving second in Bangladesh’s cricketing history, individually.
What are your thoughts on the model of play Bangladesh showcased in both fits?
They basically showed nerves of steel. In both fits, they were on the back foot after the first innings. Pakistan posted a large total within the first Test, leaving Bangladesh trailing by 448 runs. In the second match, the anguish became noteworthy extra not easy, with the crew at 26/6 at one level. To advance back back from that, and against this form of longtime crew, is great. They performed with freedom and displayed a determined stamp of cricket. The collective effort in overcoming these crises, mixed with particular particular person brilliance delight in Litton Kumar Das’s innings, became a joy to survey. Some of us are asserting Pakistan didn’t play neatly, however in actual fact, they didn’t on yarn of we were merely greater. We didn’t let them. This series has sent out a solid message: we can, and we can fetch against the giant groups within the long mosey.
Most of the time, you’re the sole representative for Bangladesh within the commentary panel for abroad series or tournaments. How attain you put collectively your self for this?
As commentators, we attain rather plenty of learn. We survey each participant on what their latest impact is, how they’ve performed of their domestic season, which groups they play for, and their quotes about the fits. There’s basically no raze to the preparation and learn in these eventualities on yarn of you furthermore mght beget to take into yarn the teaching team, the venues, and even the fellow commentators. It be no doubt not easy, in particular when there will not be noteworthy time between games. But that’s section of the job, and or not it’s important to stay ready.
What are your thoughts on the latest circulation of Tamim Iqbal becoming a member of the commentary panel for the upcoming India vs Bangladesh series?
I deem he’ll be fantastic. I beget good admire for him. I’ve already worked with him when he appeared as a visitor commentator earlier than, and his exclaim of the language, coupled with his deep info of the game as an skilled batsman with over 15,000 runs, makes him a pure match. From a non-public level of leer, I’m going to be furious to within the raze procure a brand original opening partner, since I ignored out on opening the innings with him within the course of my playing profession and this could be a dream advance lovely. So yes, I deem he has your whole tools to reach commentary.
Discontinuance you’ve got got any suggestion for him, given your mammoth trip on this discipline when compared to him?
I deem it comes naturally. I kind not want to sound delight in a know-it-all, but I deem or not it’s important to stay aloof, be pure, and continuously back your thoughts. I’m obvious he already understands this, and I beget a solid feeling he’s going to be one amongst the most involving commentators in our country if he locations his mind to it.
What are your expectations for the crew as India is considered stronger than Pakistan as an opponent?
We no doubt beget to put our expectations high and hope for the most clear-prick. Yes, now we beget received a historic series, but India’s squad is one amongst the strongest, if not the most clear-prick, Test groups on this planet upright now. This will likely likely be Bangladesh’s toughest series could well beget to you take into yarn every thing. But at the comparable time, India will be studying us, and they can not beget the funds for to underestimate us. Our heart and decrease-heart narrate is performing neatly, and our pacers are doing exceptionally neatly, though we can miss Shoriful Islam. Our spinners, in particular Shakib Al Hasan, are also in top impact—Shakib valid delivered a stellar bowling performance in county cricket. While the crew could well perchance moreover develop greater if Shakib returns to impress with the bat, we desire stability in our top narrate. One more collective effort across all departments will be important against India. No subject the anguish, I deem the self perception we received from beating Pakistan can gasoline us to attain something unheard of on this series. India could well perchance moreover very neatly be the most clear-prick crew on paper, but we’re not backing down. We’re aiming for greatness, and with the momentum on our facet, we know that something else is imaginable.
How attain you watched the variation between Kookaburra balls and SG balls will impact Bangladesh’s possibilities?
Since SG balls are going to be weak, they’ve been practising with them for the closing two weeks. As mavens, or not it’s important to adapt and adjust to any anguish snappily. From what I know, SG balls disclose circulation not simplest when they’re original but to boot as they age, that can perchance perchance moreover very neatly be an relieve for our bowlers if they notion neatly and adjust accordingly. As for the batsmen, or not it’s important not to overthink it. They could well moreover aloof play to the benefit of the provision and steer definite of speeding. In Test cricket, you will have to be gritty and resilient. I’m obvious the crew is already discussing these matters, and the teaching team could well beget a notion to address it. The avid gamers valid want to back themselves to conquer this hurdle.
