Was this Bashar's last call?

Dhaka, May 25 (UNI) The selectors, coach and captain had decided to insert India in after Bangladesh captain Habibul Bashar won the toss. But could this be his last call? If we believe in precedence, it looks ominous for Bashar.

Year 2001: Naimur Rahman, nicknamed 'Durjoy' (invincible) for his never-say-die-spirit, called correctly against Zimbabwe at Chittagong M A Aziz stadium. He chose to field. At the end of the first innings, Zimbabwe had notched up 542 runs aided by centuries from T Gripper (112), Andy Flower (114) and Craig Wishart (114).

Bangladesh lost the match by eight wickets.

Year 2003: Khaleed Mahmud calls correctly against England at the same venue in Chittagong and puts the Britons to bat. England make 326 in a rain affected tie but win the match by 329 runs.

Incidentally, these were their last matches as captains, as they were stripped of the top job thereafter. And these were the only two instances that Bangladesh skippers chose to field after winning the toss on home soil.

So much for history. Now cut back to 2007.

Habibul Bashar won the toss and elected to field. India piled up 326 for no loss on the opening day with Wasim Jaffer retired on 138 and Dinesh Karthick retired on 82. Rahul Dravid is batting on 88 and Sachin Tendulkar on 9. It was evident that India would pile on Bangladesh's misery and push them to the brink.

The logic of juice on the fresh wicket dried up sooner than the 22-yards as the Indian batsmen sent the hosts on a leather hunt.

Bashar himself is going through a miserable stage. His self-doubts are getting reflected on his in-field decisions, be it rotating of bowlers or field placing.

His biggest supporter Dav Whatmore is on his way out after this Test and Mohammed Ashraful seems to be the favourite to take up the reins in the ODIs against Sri Lanka. Things dont look so good for the Test arena either.

So like the grey clouds always on the horizon, is a storm brewing on Habibul Bashar front? Only time will tell.

UNI