How much importance is given to fielding in cricket?

When Tamim Iqbal of Bangladesh was adjudged as the "man of the match" in the last Bangladesh-Ireland keenly contested match in Dhaka, the decision was largely influenced by the superb catch he held dismissing the batsman, who looked dangerous and was threatening towards a big score. Tamim, the Bangladesh opener, who had earlier hit a magnificent 44, covered a long distance with good running and successfully dived to hold the catch much to the disbelief of many spectators. And this happened at a time when the encounter appeared to be slipping away from Bangladesh and the large home crowd was visibly getting disenchanted with the course of the match. Eventually, Bangladesh won and the outcome sent spectators in the Mirpur ground to wild celebration while countless who remained glued before the television sets also burst into cheers. Delirious cricket fans clogged the streets of the capital even in the mid night and beyond, blaring horns of the cars and many were seen distributing sweets. While announcing the name of the "man of the match" Indian cricket legend and famed commentator Sunil Gavaskar remarked that Tamim's splendid 44 along with the fantastic catch weighed in his favour. He also commented that the catch was the "turning point" of the match that saw fluctuations of fate as at one stage it seemed that the game was going the Irish way. At that point of time the batsman posed to create havoc against Bangladesh was removed by Tamim's wonderful catch that was described by many as decisive. True, Tamim would not have probably been chosen as the "man of the match" for his batting alone since Shafiul Islam was a strong contender for this achievement because of his four wicket haul that helped Bangladesh secure the victory and thereby kept the co-hosts in the haunt for World Cup - 2011. A defeat for Bangladesh to Ireland, coming close on the heels of the earlier setback to India, would have virtually eliminated the team from the tournament. But the win in the second match has kept its World Cup dream alive even though the line up to the future successes like reaching the quarter, semi and ultimately the final is arguably quite tough. It has to be admitted that Bangladesh is not a favourites for the Cup as such in the presence of several cricket powers. Nonetheless, the side is theoretically very much in the fray and cricket is a game of uncertainty. Tamim in the bat and Shafiul in the bowling excelled, but cricket experts would have chosen the bowler in preference of the batsman because he grabbed four wickets compared to less than half century of the batsman. It is the catch that undoubtedly earned Tamim the 'match of the match" award. Fielding can be decisive in a thrilling encounter. But how many people attached importance to this aspect of the game. Most discuss about batting and bowling - seldom the fielding comes in and this too not surprisingly. But fielding has to be given its due importance. South African great Jonty Rhodes would remain in the annals of cricket as one of the great fielders. English all rounder Ian Botham, Australian one-day specialist Michael Bevan, India'sEkanath Solkar and Mohammad Kaif, West Indian Carl Hooper, Pakistan's Mushtaq Mohammad and Mohammad Ilyas and New Zealand's Martin Crowe are among the galaxy of excellent fielders who have outshone many others by their sheer performance in the field. India's great wicket keeper Syed Kirmani once did not concede a single by run in a five-match test series. Indeed, it is incredible. So was quite a few Australian keepers. For Bangladesh, fielding is still a weak area although it is improving. One catch matters a lot and can change the colour of the encounter. So is the run-out or the stamping by the wicket keepers. We all must recognize the importance of fielding. Tamim's great catch fittingly gave him the honour. zaglulbss@yahoo.com