'Ashraful played the best innings of the series' - Ganguly
Sourav Ganguly, Dav Whatmore and Pathan spoke to the press
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I thought the resistance would be a bit better, looking at the way they played in the first innings. We picked 12 wickets in the last session, that's the way it goes.
I spoke to the bowlers and asked if they were fresh and fit enough to come back and bowl again. They were, so taking their point of view we decided to bowl again.
I think he is a quality player. He played an outstanding innings, played shots on all sides of the wicket, off both front foot and back foot. We peppered them with short stuff early in the morning but he saw off that phase and then played one of the best Test knocks I've seen. I'm sure he is going to serve Bangladesh cricket for a long time. Ashraful played the best innings of the series.
We are looking to give all the newcomers [some] games because we haven't played one-day cricket in the last 3-4 months. Our one-day cricket needs to be lifted and people need to get an opportunity.
I believe in cricket every day is a new day. What you did in the last game, whether it is good or bad, has no relevance on the next game. We will have to wait and see how they play in one-day cricket. I don't think it is fair to make a comment or statement on their one-day cricket on the basis of how they have done in these two Test matches.
It's happened to me a lot this year. I've played well in Test matches this year, whatever opportunity I've had, I've been able to get runs but I've not been able to convert them into hundreds. It's disappointing because you look forward to getting hundreds. I hope next time when I make a big score I go on to get a hundred.
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It's been a wonderful experience here in Bangladesh so far. I'm happy with my bowling performance and the way things are going. I've been bowling well in the last year and I've got the reward.
In the last one year I've learnt so many things. I've seen good performances, I've seen bad performances. I've seen my injuries. It's been a wonderful experience for me in international cricket so far.
These press conferences and awards are not going to come every day. Whenever you are asked to do something, you've to enjoy every bit of it. I'm not going to get five wickets every time, and when I don't nobody is going to ask me for a press conference. It's good to be asked question and give answers. I'm enjoying every bit of it.
I think what we have seen is the potential to do well. I think the difference between the two sides in the series really is the Man of the Series, Irfan Pathan. I think it's clear to see that we have to resist the new ball. We are going to have to play better to get a score that is competitive.
The realistic result for us against Zimbabwe is to win. But in saying that, in playing better teams like India I think we need to show bits and pieces, which I think we did. Taking away our second-innings batting, in the first two-and-a-half days, it was a test of character both in bowling and batting. The boys responded very very well and I'm sure we all agree. We just dug in for the last 28 overs. So there is more positives to take out of this game than the previous game.
Every game is a learning curve for us. It's a great experience to play aganst a full Indian team. We're very grateful to the Indians for having come over with a full team.
It's all a package in a one-day game and games can change very quickly so I wouldn't discount the fact that Bangladesh may scare the opposition a bit.
We are all priviliged to see the innings. We are all lucky to see a 124-ball hundred. Firstly I thought he probably batted better from 100 to 150. It's nice to know there is somebody in the group who is capable of those things. What he himself would know and would want is the consistency. I would rank it up there with all the hundreds I have seen. His shot-making was something extra special and he was full of confidence.
I'm very lucky to be part of a group that is on a learning curve. They are able to give personal bests and Ashraful and Talha Jubair are examples and also Aftab Ahmad who gave his best. Yes, there is frustration on one hand but there is potential to gain a lot of happiness with the group who want to improve.
Test matches are about the game but you got to keep coming up with performances. The team is growing into that. To be very honest, if you have a close look at that the half hour leading up to being asked to bat again, you will all agree that the team had done enough to avoid the follow on. It was desperately unlucky not to get that extra seven runs.