Ash back to his best

The country's Independence Day celebrations mingled with the joy of Bangladesh's historic qualification to the Cricket World Cup's second stage last month. But the spirits had flown after the Tigers' meek surrender to Australia and New Zealand.

The depression of the wretched start to the Super Eights, however, was over as soon as Habibul Bashar's men ignited wild celebrations at home early Sunday morning by pulling off a magnificent 67-run victory over world no. 1 South Africa in Guyana.

Mohammad Ashraful, who had the spotlight shifted from him gradually after a match winning hundred against Australia in Cardiff in 2005, got back where he belongs with a more matured innings against South Africa.

And the 22-year-old Bangladesh batsman's cricketing associates kept showered praises on the little man for writing another glorious chapter in the country's cricket history. And the common sentiment was: Only he can play this kind of knock.

Ashraful laid the foundation of the splendid victory with a masterful 83-ball 87 that was laced with a dozen sweetly timed boundaries. Applauded by renowned TV commentators as classy, wonderful and flamboyant, the flawless innings gave Bangladesh a fighting total of 251 and that was defended successfully with brilliant bowling and fielding to convert the efforts into the Tigers' first ever one-day triumph over the Proteas.

"Thanks Ashraful, you gave us a night to remember. What an innings it was! Actually he has the calibre to play such kind of a knock because I have had the opportunity to watch him from very close," said Tushar Imran, who could not make the World Cup squad.

"The victory took our cricket to a new height because I know how tough South Africa are as a team," said Tushar, who played Bangladesh's four out of previous seven one-dayers against the Africans. "It is significant because we beat the number one team who show no mercy to their opponents," said the dashing right-hander.

To out-of-favour opener Al-Shahriar, once considered as the most talented batsman of the country, the innings has not come as a surprise. He believes that his club-mate Ashraful should play such big knocks more often.

"We played together in the national team and club and I know what he is capable of. Only he can play such a classy knock. We sometimes ask ourselves why Ash (Ashraful) couldn't make it a habit. I can't find the words to express my feeling how it was to see our best batsman dominate the proceedings against the top-ranked side," said the popular stroke-player.

"I have no doubt about his commitment but the way he took the responsibility on his shoulders to swing the match away from the South Africans was something new to me. The way Aftab (Ahmed) and Ashraful batted, actually shattered the oppositions' morale.

"We chased in many of our previous wins but the success on Sunday proved that this team can also win by defending a total," he pointed out.

The joy knew no bounds for all-rounder Alok Kapali, who remains an enigma by missing out on the national team despite his talents.

"Superb…superb… superb innings. It is a dream for a batsman to play a shot like Ashraful played against Langeveldt through the covers. The way he repeatedly scoop-paddled over his shoulder was simply outstanding. He once again proved why he is considered as the most talented batsman in the country," said Kapali.

"It was really a nice feeling to hear all the good words from the commentators who hardly miss an opportunity to criticise our cricket. When our team scored 250-plus I sensed there would be something because we have a very good team of left-arm spinners. Usually we can't give our bowlers a decent total to defend," he added referring to the Tigers' 36th ODI success in 155 appearances.