THE Bangladesh Cricket team won a berth at the Quarter Finals of the World Cup by beating England on March 9, 2015. This was not an upset or fluke by any stretch of the imagination. It was a well constructed play won by a spirited team, through collective effort. And it bodes well for the future of our nation in the cricketing arena.
The cricket world may still be oblivious to the progress of our national team, but the signs are there. Ex Test Cricketer and Commentator David Lloyd said before the match began, “Bangladesh are the favourites to win this match”. This was not sarcasm. This was a statement based on recent performances.
Bangladesh cricket supporters have long been the highlight of the nation’s cricketing pedigree. The concept behind our inclusion to the Cricket elite was simple. Global cricket needs more interest in the game. Bangladesh has a large population, and they seem to be mad about cricket; let Bangladesh play. They will soon develop into a standard cricket playing nation. At the same time, we have had people and organisations not wishing us well, picking on us at the events of poor performances, comparing our team to the established World Class teams. There were hints of a inferiority complex from some, and some malice from others. But we had to accept the criticisms. After all, despite the wins here and there, we generally were likely to lose most of the games against strong sides.
One win does not make a good team. But perhaps one good tournament does. England, who recently won twice against the #1 side in One Day Internationals India, won only against Scotland in 5 games. In the same pool, Bangladesh won 3 of their 4 games, with the other game (against Australia) being washed out.
It is not the fact that we won against a highly ranked test nation that matters today. It is the style in which we won that matters. We won against Afghanistan and Scotland. The post match reactions suggest it was expected. And it is expected. Scotland has many players who play in the English counties. They are more acclimatized to the Australia/ NZ conditions than us. But we have been a test playing nation for one and half decades. At this point it may be prudent to remind people of some of our embarrassing defeats at the hands of much unfancied sides in the past. Not this time though. We brushed them aside in a manner befitting a side of talent, focus and maturity. These qualities would be severely tested against a side such as England. And these were. We passed that test in flying colours.
On the field, England put us to bat. Their spearhead James Anderson removed both the openers to leave us rambled at 8-2. Through the valiant efforts of our first centurion at the World Cups, Mahmudullah, and his partner Soumya, we not only saw off the new ball threat, but formed the foundation from which a big score was possible. They took the score to 94 in the 21st over. Even after two quick wickets, the partnership between ex-Captain Mushfiqur and Mahmudullah ensured a respectable score. In the end, Bangladesh defended that score with a well planned and well executed play, with Rubel Hossain standing out with figures of 4-53. England threatened to win in many phases of the match. But Bangladesh played the game in the professional manner, keeping their nerves on this big day.
Perhaps, the day has come when the focus of Bangladesh cricket should move from its supporters to the team itself. Bangladesh faces the daunting task of meeting India in the Quarter Final. But let India beware. This is not a side to be taken lightly. A new day is coming.
Our young ones have high potentials and we must encourage them rightly to be tough to be high achievers. They must not be swayed by emotion of those who wish them success but praise them profusely, as if our players cannot achieve more. We must praise our players in the hope that they have to achieve their high dreams.
