Asian Games 2010 - Bravo Bangladesh!

Just watch what cricket is gifting Bangladesh. Just notice the amazing achievements of Bangladesh through cricket. Time and again cricket is making us smile amid so many unrests and pains. The people of Bangladesh will have another moment to cheer for. They can speak proudly that they are a Bangladeshi as Bangladesh have won a gold medal in the Asian Games by beating Afghanistan in the final.

The team sport of Cricket became a medal sport at the 2010 Asian Games. The last time cricket featured in a major multi-sport event was at the 1998 Commonwealth Games held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where the Proteas won the gold medal by beating Australia. At a general meeting of the Olympic Council of Asia, held in Kuwait on 17 April 2007, it was announced that cricket would be included as a medal sport in the 2010 Asian Games to be held in Guangzhou. Matches would be played on a Twenty20 format. 

To win a gold medal in a multi-sport event is a dream of every country. Bangladesh’s participation in such multi-sport events in one word  has been pathetic so far. We hardly could manage any respect in any of the events let alone targeting the gold medals. But the inclusion of cricket had given Bangladesh a new hope. And at last the Tigers has delivered the goods.

In the final, the Tigers’ opponent was the cocky Afghanistan who surprised Pakistan in the semifinals. Before the semifinal clash the Afghanistan coach Rashid Latif remarked that Afghanistan were a better side than Bangladesh. And of course, Rashid Latif deserved an answer for such a statement. 

Afghanistan won the toss and elected to bat first. The Bangladeshi bowlers were at the top from the very start. They were accurate and nagging restricted the Afghans at 118 for 8 in 20 over. Naeem Islam, Shahadat Hossain and Mohamamd Ashraful picked two wickets each.

But chasing the total the Bangladeshi batting was reeling. The Afghan bowlers were wagging their tail and at 75 for 5, the Tigers were left at bay. Naeem Islam held the one end steady and a swashbuckling knock was the need of the time to reach towards the cherished goal. That goal was achieved through Shabbir Rahamn’s stormy knock of 33 off 18 balls.

Bangladesh needed 19 runs off the last two over as Shabbir Rahman  hit successive straight sixes off Karim Khan Sadeq's 19th over as Bangladesh raced to 119 with only three balls to spare. Sadeq conceded 17 run in that eventful over.

So, the gold medal has been achieved in a multi-sport event. Another glory is added in the history of Bangladesh sports. But it’s all because of cricket. Cricket has made us proud, cricket has again made us to say loudly, "Bravo Bangladesh."


Thank You
Faisal Caesar