A good day for bowlers

Or rather, a bad day for batsmen. Because most of the wickets fell due to inept batting. But bowler will take whatever they are getting with glee in this age of flat batting surfaces.

The horrific batting started when West Indies were bowled out for a paltry 61 in the inconsequential(W.I already won the series by winning the first 2) 3rd ODI in Chittagong. Had Shakib not gifted some extras W.I would not have managed 58, the score that Bangladesh were castled for in the World Cup and still a sore point for their fans. Yes, the wicket was slow and low and there was some moisture but still nothing can excuse such a performance. Bangladeshi spinner accounted for 7 wickets while conceding 21 runs in a pitch totally different from the earlier flat ones. Surely, Bangladesh now know what kind of wickets to prepare for the test series.

But more unexpectedly, SriLanka were shot out for 197 by Pakistan in their first test at Abu Dhabi. The score can be put in perspective by the fact that the wicket was flattest of flat(still an understatement) and the conditions were oppressively hot, enough to send shivers down any bowler's spine. Pakistan bowlers must also be given credit. Aizaz Cheema bowled with pace and Junaid Khan picked up a fiver. But the blame for this debacle must be put on SriLanka's poor planning. Dilshan preferred to bat in the middle order and the openers Thirimanne and Paranavitana managed a measly 46 in 25 overs(scary) before T got out. When they say the English world "implode" , this is exactly what they mean. Build up pressure yourselves, and then perish as a result of it. I won't be surprised if the Lankan bowler give their batsmen a piece of their mind tonight. With Pakistan ending the day at 27/0 they face the prospect of a lo....ng, hard day tomorrow.