Be cool even in victory
The 19-year old Mustafizur Rahman from Satkhira takes us back to the sixties and the seventies when galaxy of pace bowlers brightened the cricket world, still glittering. Capturing 11 wickets in his opening two one-day international matches, the Bangladeshi fast bowlers wrote page in the cricket history, perhaps remaining blank for him to fill, sending a message to the other cricket playing nations that, “I am coming to the ICC Champions Trophy in 1917.”
This is not the end of the beginning ¾ but the beginning of the glorious days to the fore, and to work as an inspiration for the athletes of other disciplines.
Bangladesh cricket team is now a compact team, capable of sailing through the turbulent sea, braving hurricane if there be any.
The Indian media praised our players who lead the series 2-0 in the three-match one-day internationals held on Thursday last and Sunday.
The Times of India, the world’s largest English daily, writes on Monday that Mustafizur’s 6 for 43 and Shakib al Hasan’s second fifty gives Bangladesh an unassailable 2-0 lead under headlines: Bangladesh defeat: Why it’s a harsh, bitter reality for Indian cricket?
Writes Anandabazar from Calcutta, “Padma pare samman bachanor juddhe jeno achena team India.” But the shameful comment came from former Pakistani pace bowler Sarfaraj Newaj, who said: It is a determined result to shatter Pakistan’s slim chance to the next ICC Champions Trophy.” The escapist always speaks like this, said a former Bangladeshi cricketer.
The Bangladesh players must now get ready for a titanic clash with South Africa, representing basket of super stars like Hashim Amla and de Villiers next month. Those South Agrican cricketers who did not want to tour Bangladesh, taking us lightly, will now take us seriously to avert defeat.
“We have torpedoed Pakistan, we are on the way to repeat it against India, and now we are getting ready for a titanic clash with South Africa,” said a cricket fan. However, the conventional wisdom reminds: Be cool even in victory. Put on your best efforts to keep the victory records on.
P. Rozario
Dhaka
