Team comes first for unrewarded Shafiul

CHITTAGONG:

It is not often that a match-winning performance on the cricket field gets overlooked when adjudicators decide man-of-the-match awards.

But it has happened thrice to Bangladesh seamer Shafiul Islam. He had put on spirited displays to keep his team’s dream alive of qualifying for the quarter-finals.

After Bangladesh were restricted to 205 by Ireland, Shafiul bowled the hosts to victory with a burst of four for 21. Tamim Iqbal, who won the award, admitted that Shafiul deserved the honour. Against England, Bangladesh plunged to 169 for eight chasing 226, when he made 24 crucial runs. The award went to Imrul Kayes.

Netherlands captain Peter Borren credited Bangladesh’s success to Shafiul, who conceded just seven runs in his first six overs.

Shafiul played down the rebuff from adjudicators.

“The important thing is that the team wins. The man of the match is just a tag.”

Mathews ready to face NZ

Sri Lanka’s Angelo Mathews is happy to play the team’s last league match against New Zealand in Mumbai, saying conditions would be similar to those back home.

Sri Lanka were scheduled to play their last group match in India, prompting captain Kumar Sangakkara to slam the format.

“We were surprised when we learnt that we’ll have to travel to Mumbai. I thought hosts play at home,” said Sangakkara.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 16^th, 2011.