Bangladesh have scripted history in all formats of the game recently © AFP
Bangladesh have been on an upward curve for a long time, but have often frustrated by the manner of their defeats. Their successes however are always encouraged and cheered on by the entire cricketing fraternity. Rishad D’Souza explores the side that he likens to an adolescent human child.
Bangladesh stalled what looked like evident defeat at the hands of Pakistan in the first Test with unexpected ease. The joy of watching them come back so strong in the longest format resonated through the depths of my soul. Turns out most of cricket world revelled in similar joy; even the Pakistani fans were discretely happy to see Bangladesh finally come good. Bangladesh’s streak and most consecutive wins across formats at home
What is it about Bangladesh’s success that connects with fans? Years of struggle for the youngest Test Nation have borne fruit. Awarded test status in 2001 Bangladesh’s struggle against the big boys seemed unending. They went through a period of Test member infancy without learning how to walk.
Now into 15 years of test cricket status – adolescence – they seemed to have found their feet. Their exploits in the shorter formats have been particularly impressive and way they’ve played their Test cricket, they will only go upwards from here. As far as limited overs cricket is concerned, they beat England dramatically in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 group stage and knocked them out; history was created. Have Bangladesh conquered their fear of losing?
They next faced India and there they couldn’t quite face up to the gigantic challenge, however they proved that their win against England was no fluke, not those odd victories they scraped up every once in a while but by whitewashing Pakistan in the One-Day International (ODI) series following the World Cup proved that definitive change (for the good) has finally come.
Bangladesh’s success has been a long time coming. They first set the seeds to an upward march when they beat India in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007. That triumph marked the period when Bangladesh supporters became truly passionate about their cricket team. Challenges and hurdles were still aplenty for the Bangladesh side, which they have tackled slowly but surely, taking one at a time. Shakib Al Hasan, Wahab Riaz fined by ICC for misconduct
As in the world of professional sport, challenges will always be present. Older challenges will be replaced by bigger, more complex ones. Undoubtedly Bangladesh will stumble and stutter at times but at least now they have shown the hunger to devour those challenges. For those who still believe Bangladesh’s victories were mere fluke, it must be remembered that prior to Pakistan, Bangladesh even whitewashed or ‘Banglawashed’ New Zealand and West Indies. No doubt all at home, that however shouldn’t take away from the progress they have made.
As comes with adolescence, Bangladesh have started throwing unreasonable, irrational and often annoying tantrums. After losing to India in the World Cup quarter-final, the entire nation began to protest as one alleging the International Cricket Council (ICC) of conspiring against them only because of one single, marginally wrong call by the umpire. Even, Sheikh Hasina, the Prime Mimister joined in the un-rhythmic chorus! Rameez Raja: I don’t know where Pakistan cricket is going
The players have allowed immaturity to creep into their celebrations on various occasions. When Bangladesh beat West Indies, the players indulged in very crude, sometimes vulgar celebrations. These things have annoyed all, but Bangladeshi success continues to touch everyone’s hearts. They will be the loved child of cricket, until ICC finally recognizes Ireland and/or Afghanistan as the newest and youngest full members (which seems a long time away)!
(Rishad D’Souza, a reporter with CricketCountry, gave up hopes of playing Test cricket after a poor gully-cricket career. He now reports on the sport. You can follow @RDcric on Twitter)
fined by ICC for misconduct
May 3, 2015, 8:16 pm
Shakib Al Hasan and Wahab Riaz were fined Sunday for a heated on pitch argument during the final day of the drawn first Test between
