Tigers pacers dealing with unique challenge

It has been a tough time for the fast bowlers in the 2017 Champions Trophy as there is very little purchase for the seamers in the batting friendly pitches in England. The English weather often helps the quick bowlers with some initial seam movements but the scenario was totally different in the tournament opener between host England and Bangladesh. The Tigers posted a huge total of 305 runs after being asked to bat first by opposition captain Eoin Morgan. The Ireland-born English skipper took the decision since he probably has pretty good ideas about the pitches and conditions. However, pacers Mark Wood, Jake Ball, Liam Plunkett and Ben Stokes all proved to be expensive with the ball as there was hardly any purchase from the deck for the fast bowlers. Defending such a big total, the Tigers were unable to restrict the opponent batsmen as the ball was coming on to the bat quite nicely, making life difficult for the Bangladesh pacers. Even fast bowling sensation Mustafizur Rahman, who did bowl economically initially, went for 51 runs from his nine overs, which is quite unlike him. To add to that, captain Mashrafe bin Mortaza and pacer Rubel Hossain also went for many and were unable to put any sort of pressure on the opposition. The Tigers pacers' struggle was the main reason why they eventually conceded a humbling defeat. And according to Mashrafe, the pitches in the Champions Trophy are tailor-made for the batsmen, much to the bowlers' dislike. “I think it's difficult for the fast bowlers to get something from the pitch if things go on this way. It was very difficult for the fast bowlers that day as we were unable to get any sort of movement or assistance from the deck. I think the wicket is not even sporting and you can say it's a batting pitch where you have to score over 330 runs in each game and then try to defend it by taking a few early wickets,” Mashrafe told Dhaka Tribune on Saturday. The 33-year old also informed that the fast bowlers need to work on their variations a lot more than looking to get something from the pitch. “I think it's hard for the fast bowlers if you only look to bowl fast or swing the ball as you are not going to get that. You may have noticed that even Mustafizur did not get anything from the pitch, which means you have to understand how difficult it is for the fast bowlers. Even it's also difficult for the spinners as the ball is not gripping as much as you expect. You may have noticed the game between Australia and New Zealand where the fast bowlers did not have much help from the pitch and remained helpless most of the time. I think this tournament is going to be hell for the bowlers and heaven for the batsmen,” he said. Rubel echoed the same sentiment, emphasising on line and length, rather than hoping for purchase from the pitch. “You know it may seem like we are playing in English conditions so the pacers will benefit. It's not like that. There is very little help for us. I think my plan will be contain runs as much as I can and restrict the batsmen from scoring freely. I think only then will it put the batsmen under some pressure, forcing them to make mistakes,” said Rubel. Fast bowling has been the Tigers' main source of strength in recent years but the Champions Trophy is likely to be a tall order for the Bangladesh pacemen. So their next game against Australia is expected to be a big challenge for the Tigers pacers. But if the Bangladesh pacemen can adapt to the conditions then the situation could well work in favour of the men in red and green.