Bangladesh: Finding their feet, at last

He made five half-centuries in Bangladesh’s first six Tests, including a memorable 71 against India in their inaugural Test in 2000-01 in Dhaka. The first ton (108) then came in the seventh Test – at Chittagong, against Zimbabwe in 2002-02. Currently averaging 35.83 in Tests, Bashar has two hundreds and 13 50s. Though technically-competent, Bashar needs to iron that risky hook shot of his. The Australia tour in June-July 2003 and the ongoing tour of Pakistan have brought out the best in him; an ability to hold the innings together and score at will, even against McGrath, Lee, Gillespie and Shoaib.

Alok Kapali

First hit the headlines after being named as one of the ten sexiest cricketers at the 2003 South Africa World Cup. He’s just 21, and has enough time to work on his impulsiveness that makes him inconsistent and erratic. No centuries in either class yet, but highest scores of 85 in Tests and 89 not out in one-dayers batting at number six in a fragile batting order is no mean feat. Nor is becoming the first Bangladeshi bowler to take a hat-trick in Tests. If that’s not epoch-making, what is?

Mohammed Rafique

The wine in the Bangladesh bottle. At 33, and with a two-year hiatus for a suspect bowling action soon after the nation’s debut Test against India, Rafique is out of time. His 6/77 remains the best bowling figures for a Bangladeshi, achieved against the formidable South Africans in Dhaka earlier this year. He’s also the only player from the country to have taken two five-wicket hauls in Test cricket, the second coming in Pakistan’s first innings a couple of days back at Peshawar. A mean hitter coming in, usually, at number 9 or 10, Rafique has a ODI high of 77.