Once again it is cricket which kept the red and green flag flying high as Tigers remained unbeaten in one day international cricket fleecing the likes of former world champions India, Pakistan, South Africa and Zimbabwe in 2014-2015 season at home.
It’s looked like a dream come true for Tigers as it has been an unforgettable year in ODI cricket for our beloved Bangladesh cricket team! Over this period of 12 months, Tigers have made tremendous strides slaying anyone who came on its path to become a world-beating unit in a shorter version 50-over cricket. Records were broken at will as they made history, shattered records and lifted the spirits of Bangladeshis at home and abroad. By the time 2015-season came to an end with the 3-0 ODI sweep over the hapless Zimbabweans at Mirpur stadium on November 11, Bangladesh led by Mashrafe Mortaza became the second-best performing side in ODI cricket, only behind Australia with 15 wins in 19 matches (78.9%).
It was the quarter-final appearance at the ICC Cricket World Cup down under which triggered Tigers to wake up from their slumber. Bangladesh answered their wrong doing of the ICC umpires in repeated tremendous show by gunning by famous Bangla wash by sweeping Pakistan in a 3-match series at their own back yard. It was the maiden ODI series win over Pakistan. Tigers looked menacing as Pakistan left whimpering with a humiliating 3-0 drubbing at Bangladesh.
Former world champions India came down to city with the partisan crowd baying for the blood for their controversial defeat against India in the quarterfinal match in World Cup, India found Mustafizur Rahman’s slower balls and off-cutters too hot to handle and the Indians too like Pakistan suffered their first ever ODI series defeat . Before the euphoria of the India series win died down, South Africa came to Bangladesh for a short tour. The Proteas were beaten for the first time in a series too, after the Tigers came back from a game down with their backs to the wall. It was great fight back as Tigers fought from one down to beat Protease by flattering margins. Cricket continued on to make the country proud as Bangladesh Cricket Board shrugged off their previous mismanagement in BPL, by showing their management capability by hosting 3rd BPL in December. Local batsmen and bowlers performed their part with foreign stars and hogging the headlines time and again throughout the meet.
Then there was another great moment to rejoice as our rookie speedster Mustafizur Rahman kept Bangladesh head high as he was selected in the ICC ODI XI for the year 2015 and our world leading world best all rounder Shakib AL Hasan was blessed with a daughter, so let’s cherish the triumphant moments of our Tigers in 2015 and pray these heroes bring more laurel for Bangladesh in the new year 2016.
