Athar Ali Khan gung-ho about Bangladesh pace attack

Kanpur: Athar Ali Khan’s face glistens, just like the golden Bangladesh map pendant he wears, when you query him about Uttar Pradesh, a place that is still close to his heart.

“Yeah, mum and dad are from Rampur. Father moved (to current Bangladesh) after the partition in the early 50s. He came back, got married and then settled in Narayanganj on the outskirts of Dhaka,” the cricketer turned commentator tells DH during the second Test between India and Bangladesh in Kanpur. 

“I don't get to travel a lot to this part of the world, but when there's a game, I'm there and when there's an opportunity, I get to meet my family, my parents. The feeling is good. The food is great. It is unbelievably great, obviously, to meet people that I have not met for a very long time and meet with relatives,” he adds with a hearty smile.

The 62-year-old, who played just 19 ODIs for the Tigers but is one of their most popular voices on air, spoke about his country’s historic 2-0 Test series win over Pakistan, the current pace attack and how Mohinder Amaranth made him open despite his reluctance. Excerpts…

How big is Bangladesh’s series win over Pakistan?

I don't think anybody in their wildest dreams expected Bangladesh to go and beat Pakistan in Pakistan, not in the first match, but also the second match for a clean sweep. The way the bowlers actually bowled and the batters performed, it was a full package. In the first Test, Pakistan declared at 448 (in the first innings) but Mushfiqur ensured Bangladesh made 565 with a brilliant century. Kudos to Hasan Mahmud and the other fast bowlers for bowling Pakistan out in the second innings that enabled the win. In the second Test they were in deep trouble at 26/6 but won from there. It just shows what Bangladesh team is capable of. They’ve got a lot more self-belief now. 

Mahmud and the tearaway Nahid Rana stood out with their bowling in Pakistan. Your thoughts about the two young emerging talents.

They are precious as diamonds because they are genuine match winners. Don't forget the fact that they're very young and raw, so they've got age on their side and so much time to learn. I think it's important for them to realise that if you're good enough to play Test cricket for the country, and if you're that young, then the sky is the limit. When I was young, I would constantly keep asking Sunny bhai (Sunil Gavaskar) what I needed to do to improve my game. I want them to do the same. Talk with (Jasprit) Bumrah and (Mohammed) Siraj how to become a better bowler. Bumrah is one of the best in the world and the lessons they can learn from him are priceless.

In his short stint, skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto has earned good praise for bringing about a perceptible change in character and approach in the team. Your thoughts.

It's early days for him as he hasn't captained for a long time. But what has impressed me the most, as you rightly pointed out, he's very calm. He doesn’t get flustered easily, we don't see a lot of emotions from him on the field, so his decision making has been good. He looks settled. He has been appointed captain in all three formats and I feel he likes taking responsibility. There are two things here, first it’s a huge pressure but it also conveys that team management and the feel that he's the right person to take Bangladesh forward. It’s a lot of pressure to live up to but pressure can either make you or break you. His batting has been brilliant and I think he's got a very bright future.

Can you tell us about how Amaranth got you to open from middle-order?

Oh Jimmy bhai! In 1986, I was picked to play the ICC Trophy in England. I was batting at No. 4 but being in England, nobody wanted to open. It was early May, there was rain and the pitch was green. I was a youngster so I braved to open. I hit a couple of boundaries but was a complete failure after that. So then I decided I’ll never open in my life. In 1992 or 93 Jimmy was appointed as coach.

Our main objective was to win the ICC Trophy to qualify for the World Cup. So after a ‘nets’ session,  Jimmy calls me and tells me I should open from henceforth. I immediately asked him ‘batting or bowling’! When he said batting, I instantly refused and told him what happened last time in England. But he felt since I played a lot of shots straight and in the V, I could become a good opener. He felt as an all-rounder if I can open, he can add another player in the team. I resisted but after a point realised Jimmy wasn’t going to budge. I took up the challenge and ended up scoring runs. Laughs.

One of Bangladesh’s greatest yet controversial cricketers Shakib Al Hasan is set to retire from Tests. Your thoughts on him.

He’s one of the finest players that Bangladesh has ever produced. Hopefully, fingers crossed, we can get another Shakib in the near future. As a player, I don't think anybody can achieve what he has achieved on the cricket field. He’s been the No. 1 bowler and all-rounder in ICC rankings in all formats of the game. Most of the time Bangladesh are normally up against — I’m not degrading ourselves — high quality opposition. So to be able to be counted amongst the best in the world just shows how good he has been for Bangladesh. Bangladesh will miss him but it's a part and parcel of life. Nobody can go on forever. He's been a wonderful cricketer, fantastic bowler, batter and captain. A born match winner.