10 glorious moments in Bangladesh cricket

Bangladesh are no longer minnows in international cricket. They have shown character, consistency and more importantly, results, in recent times. They have now shown signs of being a force in international cricket. Through their relatively brief cricket history, there have been quite a few moments they can be proud of but a few stand out. They have had two whitewashes over New Zealand in One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and an away series-win against a weak West Indies side, but other, understandably bigger moments, walk in ahead of such wins.

1.  Securing qualification for the 1999 World Cup and winning ICC Trophy 1997

Bangladesh had played their first international game in the 1980s, but they waited for World Cup qualification for over a decade. As they got into the final of the ICC Trophy 1997, they secured a spot in the 1999 World Cup along with rivals Kenya. Through a tough tournament, Bangladesh showed grit against the odds, to make it through to the final. Their passage through to the semi-final was in doubt but Akram Khan’s heroics secured a win against the Netherlands. Thereafter, the dream came true. The title clash saw a fitting finale with 11 to get off the last over, with two wickets in hand. KhaledMashud smashed the first ball for a six. It went down to the last ball, but the batsmen sneaked the winning run to clinch the trophy.

2.  Beating Pakistan in the 1999 World Cup

Pakistan were the in-form team in the 1999 World Cup with a team full of match winners. Consider this: WaqarYounis found it difficult to cement his spot in the Pakistan playing XI. With Pakistan’s berth in the Super Sixes secured, they had an embarrassing slip against Bangladesh in their final group game. Bangladesh scored 223 for nine, which was a respectable effort against a quality bowling attack. In reply, they strangled the star-studded Pakistan batting line-up, reducing them to 42 for five. Though the tail wagged, Pakistan lost by 62 runs. Khaled Mahmud’s dibly-dobly bowling troubled Pakistan as he finished with figures of three for 31.

3.  Test debut in front of home crowds

The Bangabandhu National Stadium, Dhaka had hosted a few Tests in erstwhile East Pakistan and a solitary Asian Test Championship game between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in 1990. Thus, when Bangladesh won Test status in 2000 and hosted its inaugural game at the venue, the nation celebrated the momentous occasion. Although some felt that Bangladesh were too raw for the highest level, they gave a good account of themselves on the first few days against India. AminulIslam’s fighting 145 helped Bangladesh put up 400 and then had India in trouble at 190 for five. Batting at No. 6, Sunil Joshi rescued India with an innings of 92, helping them take a slender lead of 29. He then played his part with the ball to bowl Bangladesh out for 91. India chased down 63 runs with ease. Despite the result, Bangladesh had reasons to celebrate.

4.  Mohammad Ashraful becomes Test cricket’s youngest centurion

Hamilton Masakadza of Zimbabwe became Test cricket’s youngest centurion on debut in July 2001 at the age of 17 years and 352 days. His record was short-lived as in September that year, a young Ashraful smashed a ton against Sri Lanka in Colombo to not only become the youngest man to score a ton on Test debut, but also the youngest in Test history. Bangladesh were bowled out for 90 in the first innings and then Sri Lanka piled 555 for five declared. In the second innings, Bangladesh fought, thanks to the debutant, who hit 114. His talent was obvious, particularly with the way he dealt with the senior pros, MuttiahMuralitharan and ChamindaVaas. Although Bangladesh were beaten comprehensively, a young man had given them tremendous hope for the future.

5.  Clinching the maiden Test victory

When a weakened Zimbabwe team arrived in Bangladesh in 2005, there was a sense that the hosts could prevail. In what turned out to be a historic series for Bangladesh cricket, they emerged victorious with some good performances. In the first Test at Chittagong, Bangladesh set Zimbabwe a target of 281 and won the game comprehensively by 226 runs. It was a team effort for Bangladesh with stalwarts Habibul Bashar and Mohammad Rafique leading the way. It was the left-arm spinner, EnamulHaque junior, who stole the show with a match-winning six-wicket haul in the second innings. The second Test was drawn, which helped Bangladesh clinch the series. Bangladesh carried that form into the One-Day Internationals (ODIs), winning the contest 3-2 after losing the first two games.

6.  Beating Australia in an ODI courtesy Mohammad Ashraful’s magical ton

Australia arrived in England with an eye on the Ashes but the start to the tour proved to be a banana skin. And, their woes compounded when they lost to Bangladesh in a tri-series encounter at Cardiff. On winning the toss, Australia chose to bat and lost Adam Gilchrist second ball. Bangladesh managed to keep a hold over them, but a fighting performance by the middle order took Australia to 249 for five. With Glenn McGrath, Jason Gillespie, Michael Kasprowicz and Brad Hogg forming the attack, one would have expected the Australians to win. However, Ashraful was at it again, smashing a 100 off 101 balls at No. 4. Bangladesh kept themselves in the hunt with some good attacking batting and Aftab Ahmed helped them chase it down in the last over, leaving Australia shell-shocked. Beating the undisputed world champions was a big shot in the arm for Bangladesh.

7.  Shocking India and qualifying for the ICC World Cup 2007 Super Eights

Despite a few upsets over the years, Bangladesh were still considered pushovers by the bigger forces. The year 2007 saw them grow into giant killers with the stage set in the Caribbean. In their opening game against India, MashrafeMortaza turned it on with the teenaged trio of TamimIqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan chasing down a low score. With India stumbling against Sri Lanka, Bangladesh beat Bermuda to seal their passage through to the Super Eights. Although Bangladesh found life tougher there, they had a moment under the sun against South Africa, as they beat a strong Graeme Smith-led side. Bangladesh cricket built a launchpad during this tournament. Later in the year, they qualified for the second round of the inaugural ICC World T20.

8.  Asia Cup 2012 heroics

Bangladesh continued to show promise after the ICC World Cup 2007 but never kicked onto produce consistent performances. In the Asia Cup 2012, on home soil, they matured into a better unit and showed signs of taking the next step. They lost the first game against Pakistan after putting up a brave fight. In the second game, they overshadowed Sachin Tendulkar’s historic 100th ton to embarrass India. Sri Lanka were then beaten to ensure qualification through to the final. On the big day against Pakistan, Bangladesh fought tooth and nail but fell agonising two-runs short. The scenes of Shakib and Mushfiqur crying touched the fans’ hearts. Despite the defeat, it was a performance Bangladesh could take pride in.

9.  Beating England and qualifying for the ICC World Cup 2015 quarter-final

Bangladesh have shown that they are a tough side at home, having given New Zealand and the West Indies a tough time in the shorter formats. When they arrived Down Under for the big event in 2015, many were sceptical about their abilities in alien conditions. After all, the last time Bangladesh toured Australia was back in 2008. That wasn’t to deter them for they had a good side with Tamim, Mushfiqur, Shakib and Mortaza forming the crux. To add to that, the likes of Mahmudullah and RubelHossain rose to the occasion. In the group stages, they secured victories against Scotland and Afghanistan. A rained-out encounter against Australia helped them gain the extra point. In the virtual knockout against England, they defended 275 in a tense situation to secure a spot in the quarter-final. Bangladesh then ran New Zealand close and fought against India in the knockout before bowing out.

10.  ‘Banglawash’ of Pakistan

Although Bangladesh havewhitewashed New Zealand twice in a one-day series at home, beating Pakistan 3-0 in 2015 was special. A lot has to do with history, as Bangladesh was a part of Pakistan and beating them is always considered special. Azhar Ali was leading a new-look Pakistan side in transition. Bangladesh were clearly the stronger side and went on to win the series 3-0. Not only that, but they also went on to put up a brave fight in the first Test, with the openers Tamim and ImrulKayes putting up a triple-century stand for the first wicket.

 
(Nishad Pai Vaidya is a Mumbai-based cricket journalist and one of the youngest to cover the three major cricketing events — ICC World Cup, World T20 and under-19 World Cup. He tweets as @nishad_45)