DEHRADUN DIARY

'Dab Dab' in Dehradun

The Bangladesh team started training in Dehradun's Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium yesterday with net sessions at the centre wicket and the outer nets. The centre wicket was still a bit wet as it had not gotten enough time to absorb the water. When Tigers vice-captain Mahmudullah Riyad was batting, the majority of the balls tended towards the low and slow side. After Mahmudullah had finished, it was Ariful Haque's turn and as he strolled towards the centre wicket Bangladesh team manager Khaled Mahmud said "The wicket is Dab Dab [slow and low]." Mahmudullah quipped: "You know how to bat on Dab Dab wickets." Coming from a rainy country, batting on the Dab Dab is almost second nature for the Tigers.

Commentator Mushfiqur

Mushfiqur Rahim is one of the biggest pranksters in the Bangladesh ranks and the wicketkeeper-batsman was right in fine fettle during yesterday's training session. Mehedi Hasan Miraz was struck all over the park by Ariful Haque during the centre-wicket net session and Mushfiqur started a faux commentary stint to tease the young off-spinner. "In comes Mehedi Miraz and there goes the ball out of the park," commentated Mushfiqur.

"Will the captain hand the ball to Miraz again? Will Miraz be able to make a comeback in the game, only time will tell. This is going to be a tough time for the youngster," Mushfiqur said in his best radio commentary voice, which left the other Tigers in stitches.

Fasting Tigers, hungry cricketers

The hot and humid weather in Dehradun has been hard on the Bangladeshi cricketers since they landed here on Tuesday. Most of them were fasting and the 36-degree temperature was beginning to take a toll on them by the time they started training yesterday. Left-arm spinner Nazmul Islam asked this reporter: "Are you fasting?" When the reply was in the negative, Nazmul said: "Then how would you know what I am going through as I am fasting and getting hunger pangs." Mahmudullah joined in and said with a smile: "What heat? It's not that hot, but yes I am also getting hunger pangs."

Mushfiqur overheard the conversation and seized on the opportunity as if it was a half-volley outside off stump. "Why are you not fasting? Are you working harder than us?"