RISE AND RISE OF BANGLADESH CRICKET

No eye was raised when Bangladesh took a 78 runs first innings lead in the recently concluded rain affected drawn out test match against South Africa at Chittagong. Actually it was a reality which every Bangladeshi cricket fan willed to happen sooner rather than later. Individual and one off heroic performances were the norm but it was being consistent as a team day in day out, match after match, carrying performance from one format to the other and building on the success were Bangladesh cricket frailties. All that had changed as Bangladesh cricket is finally looking up after a string of successes in ODI’s against Pakistan, India and South Africa.

The Bangladesh one-day juggernaut which started with the win over Zimbabwe has now slain South Africa 2-1. Win is a win, the old adage doesn’t do justice as the complete domination exhibited, audacity of play and knuckling down in pressure situation to fight it out emphasis the level of growth to which Bangladesh cricket has risen.

Critics may turn around and undermine these as mere home wins but one mustn’t forget that winning like losing is a habit albeit a difficult one. And what could be better than home grounds amidst the legions of loyal cheering fans to learn this art of winning and savoring the fulfilling sensation after every win. It is said that, when a team gets accustomed to winning it becomes easier for them to keep churning out such performance on a regular bases, this holds true in the case of Bangladesh cricket. And hopefully in due course the team will become capable of reproducing such performances on foreign soil also.

With all due respect to Zimbabwe but the sheer arrogance displayed by Bangladeshi players in countering and triumphing over their esteemed rivals from Pakistan, India and South Africa displayed a new dynamism and tenacity not viewed in a Bangladeshi team before. The signs were for all to see with their quarterfinal showing in the last edition of the ODI world cup held in Australia and New Zealand.

The burden of progressing Bangladesh cricket falls not only on its cricket board but the players also need to own up responsibility to maintain this high level of performance. So it is imperative for Bangladesh cricket to constantly improve itself and keep advancing on the road to success.

Whether the recent successes just a ripple? Or Bangladesh cricket has turned a corner remains to be seen. But one thing is sure; from now on you take Bangladesh team lightly on your own peril. Maybe it is the advent of a new cricketing power house in the subcontinent.

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