A debut game is often a memorable outing for any athlete. However, Jaker Ali’s maiden ODI appearance didn’t look mesmerizing after his disastrous collision with the onfield umpire left partner Taskin Ahmed panicking in the middle of the pitch during Bangladesh’s second ODI against Afghanistan.
The idea to bat first under humid Sharjah conditions worked well for the Bangladesh side after incurring a loss in their previous ODI. Although Tanzid Hasan Tamim fell early inside the first powerplay, fifty-plus stands for the second and third-wicket helped Bangladesh get to a strong position in the game. With the Afghan spinners getting four scalps between the 32nd and 40th over, it came down to Jaker Ali and the tail to propel the scoreboard to a respectable total. This is when the all-rounder ended up with an unfortunate injury that left his partner in disarray.
After suffering a reprieve due to a dropped catch at mid off on the 49th over’s third ball, Jaker drilled a fuller one towards long on for a couple before intending a similar number off the next ball. A fuller one outside the stumps was whipped off the toe end towards mid-wicket by the batter before he sprinted for a run. With the fielder making a shy at the non-striker’s end, Jaker was at danger of getting run out before his desperateness lead to a collision with the umpire who swerved left from his usual position. Jaker bumped into him while Taskin was seen halfway in the pitch asking for a couple of runs. Subsequently, the veteran had to rush back at the keeper’s end but Jaker crutched himself in agony before the physio’s assessment. Seeing a memorable debut cave into an unfortunate incident, the Twitterverse fell for the youngster’s misery.
— Pandit Pranoob (@pranoob76889) November 9, 2024
Most sixes in odi debut for Bangladesh :
3 – Sabbir Rahman vs Zimbabwe (2014)
3 – Jaker Ali vs Afghanistan (today)
Jaker Ali is the 3000th player in odi cricket history.#BANvAFG— KH Naeem (@Khnaeem962) November 9, 2024
Absolutely
True
Bangladesh managed to score 52 in the last 5 overs to post 252/7, thanks to quick fire knock of 37 in 27 from debutant Jaker Ali with 3 sixes & 1 four & 25 in 24 from Nasum Ahmed with 2 sixes & 1 four plus a captain’s knock of 76 from Shanto. Game on! pic.twitter.com/Je0gusB2Jm
— Athar Ali Khan (@AtharAliKhan97) November 9, 2024
252 in an ODI may look grossly below par. But on this Sarjah Pitch this can be a formidable total. Bangladesh owes a lot to Shanto (76) n debutant Jaker Ali for the 27 ball 37 that helped them to finish at 252.
Afghanistan may find the chase tricky #BANvsAFG— Ambika (@apmahapatra) November 9, 2024
Good one
Good debut for Jaker Ali. He takes Bangladesh to 252 runs in the end with his unbeaten knock of 37* off 27 balls with 3 SIXES.
Skipper Nazmul Hossain Shanto has to set up things well to defend this total especially because if Bangladesh don’t win this one, his strike-rate of 63… pic.twitter.com/4yQeTivHGh— Saif Ahmed (@saifahmed75) November 9, 2024
Fantastic
What a batter Jaker Ali #AFGvBAN
— Waqas Ahmed (@iamwaqas87) November 9, 2024
Well Played Jaker Ali #AfgvsBan
— Football | Cricket (@aqkfacebook) November 9, 2024
Should they?
BAN should drop Mahmudullah and promote Jaker Ali. BAN are wasting his talent making him play in the lower order.
— VinJam (@Raghavanvinjam1) November 9, 2024
Bit worried
Slightly worried about Jaker Ali who got struck on the side of the helmet from a throw.
He has a history of concussions.#AFGvBAN— Mohammad Isam (@Isam84) November 9, 2024