Alok Kapali is a cricketer hailing from Bangladesh who is known for his elegant strokeplay and wristwork. Born on December 1, 1984, in Sylhet, Kapali has been a prominent figure in Bangladeshi cricket, showcasing immense talent and potential throughout his career.
Kapali burst onto the international cricket scene in 2002, making an immediate impact with his impressive batting skills. In his debut year, he carved an unbeaten 89 in an ODI against West Indies, which was followed by two more half-centuries in the Test matches that followed. His batting style was often compared to that of Brian Lara, with his exquisite pulls, flicks, and daring drives on the off-side.
However, despite his early success, Kapali’s career failed to live up to its initial promise. In spite of his elegant strokeplay, he struggled to maintain consistency, resulting in an international batting average below 20 over several years. Although he showed flashes of brilliance, his underperformance raised concerns among fans and cricket pundits.
In 2003, Kapali participated in the World Cup, but his lackluster performance raised eyebrows. Critics pointed out his laziness in footwork, which should have been addressed to enhance his game. Nevertheless, he managed to score 71 runs against South Africa and followed it up with two half-centuries and an extraordinary test hat-trick, becoming the first Bangladeshi cricketer to achieve this feat.
For the next four years, Kapali struggled to make a mark in international cricket, with only a single score of 55 against Kenya during this period. Meanwhile, his absence from first-class matches had a detrimental effect on his domestic team, Sylhet. Although Kapali cannot be held responsible for the scheduling of international matches, adopting a more practical approach could have potentially helped his cricketing career.
In June 2008, Kapali struck a century against India in an Asia Cup match, showcasing his ability to perform at the highest level. However, just a few months later, he decided to take a hiatus from Bangladesh cricket by joining the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL). Playing for the Dhaka Gladiators, he scored the first century of the tournament, a blistering 60-ball 100 that won him a scooter. Sadly, Kapali’s decision to prioritize club cricket over representing his country led to a loss of fans and a subsequent ban imposed by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).
After leaving the ICL, Kapali made his comeback in April 2011, representing Bangladesh once again. However, his return was short-lived as he lost his place in the team within eight months due to inconsistent performances, particularly struggling against Pakistan at home.
Despite the challenges and setbacks, Alok Kapali’s talent and contribution to Bangladeshi cricket cannot be overlooked. He remains a celebrated figure in the cricketing circles of Bangladesh, admired for his elegant batting style and incredible wristwork. While his career may have been hampered by inconsistency, Kapali’s early achievements and potential continue to leave a lasting impression in the hearts of cricket lovers.
