Doleful and disquieted Bangladesh cricket fans

Hosting the World Cup is the dream of every nation. It’s a matter of huge pride. Very few are lucky enough to have such an opportunity and Bangladesh can claim herself enough lucky to have the opportunity of staging such a mega event twice. As a co-host, Bangladesh successfully hosted the ICC World Cup in 2011 and now, next year, Bangladesh is preparing to host the World T20.

Still, there are a few months left for the World T20 and the enthusiasm amongst the players and fans regarding this mega event in Bangladesh are extremely high. After many nervy-speculations finally Bangladesh will host this event. There had been a risk of shifting the venue somewhere else as the proposed stadiums for the World Twenty20 were underprepared which failed to satisfy the ICC officials. But thankfully, the venue has not been shifted anywhere else.

As soon as the news about the sale of tickets for the World T20 broke out, enthusiastic Bangladesh cricket fans rushed into the respective banks to get their tickets. But the Bangladesh cricket fans’ this dream, this enthusiasm is at risk. There is sadness in their hearts because they are not sure whether their favorite team will be available at the mega event or not because Bangladesh along with Zimbabwe will have to play a qualifying round before participating in the main event.

This new rule came suddenly and in fact, it created an immense heartache amongst the Bangladeshi players and fans. Has anyone ever heard about a host nation to play a qualifying round? Surely not, but in cricket, such hard-to-imagine sort of thing happens. For the lower-ranked teams, such rules just crop-up in the twinkle of an eye.

Well, a rule has been made and the Tigers have to abide by it. Over the years Bangladesh cricket has improved in a satisfactory manner. In that sense overcoming the hurdle of the qualifying round will not be a big issue for the Tigers. But as a matter of fact, there is that risk of sudden accidents which might shatter the hopes of a cricket-crazy nation. How pathetic the World T20 will be if the hosts fail to participate in the mega event and how poorer it would be if an exciting team like Bangladesh don’t play in front of its home crowd remains a moot question.

How many T20 matches do teams like Bangladesh and Zimbabwe play? The number of matches these teams play it will never help them to climb to the top but they will always discover themselves at the bottom and thus, will always be a victim of such sudden-rules. What have the ICC done to improve the quality of the lower-ranked sides? Have the ICC allocated enough matches for these teams with the top sides so that they can improve? For the overall improvement of cricket, equal distribution and a less biased vision are much needed than a mind crowded with only financial gains and losses.  

Again, I wonder, whether our politicians are well aware of this mega event or not. As because, at present, it seems that our politicians have gone crazy in settling personal scores. Their egos are running high; their lust for power is triggering an ugly situation which is making Bangladesh’s future bleak. There is unrest all over Bangladesh – buses are being torched, public transports are vandalized, picketers are throwing cocktails here and there, there are clashes between the police and political activists and political activists of both the ruling and opposition party. Well, it’s not a chummy picture at all and surely, an unacceptable one for the common citizens of Bangladesh who wish to live in peace and enjoy their favourite players’ dazzling exhibition on the cricket field.

If such situations persist then the future of Bangladesh’s hosting the World T20 will be at risk. Already it was at risk due to improperly build stadiums and now this political turmoil will create another ominous situation regarding the World T20. And if we do lose the rights of hosting the World T20 then internationally it will dent our image. Not only the World T20 but the upcoming Sri Lankan tour and Asia Cup too will be at risk due to this current political turmoil.

The passionate Bangladeshi cricket fans are doleful with all these. Already saddened by this qualifying saga, the Bangladesh cricket fans are extremely disquieted regarding the current political situation as this crazy situation might let the ICC rethink about Bangladesh’s eligibility of hosting this mega event and if the venue gets shifted then it will be an absolute tragedy for Bangladesh, its cricket and its fans.

Bangladesh have few well-wishers in world cricket. It will not take time for our harsh critics to raise the voice of shifting the venue to somewhere else by citing security issues. In that sense, our politicians must exhibit enough sense and sensibility as Bangladesh’s prestige is at stake.

But will they be sensible enough? Will they think about the country’s prestige?

I am not sure! 

Note: This article has been published on Cricketsoccer on 29/11/2013  http://cricketsoccer.com/doleful-disquieted-bangladesh-cricket-fans/

Thank You

Faisal Caesar

Thank you Sachin

“ I must admit that he was not an ordinary cricketer - a gift of Almighty, who landed on this earth to give hope and calm forget the pangs and anxieties of daily life”

It’s all over!

It is the End!  

What I witnessed today is the sunset of one of the most obedient students of cricket. He carried on the legacy of the past greats with utmost responsibility and honour. 

I can’t celebrate this sunset. 

I am not in a festive mood like you as I am witnessed the end of an era - The era of Sachin Tendulkar!  

A Test cricket lover can’t be happy when a classicist and iconic figure leave the scene.

I have this deep relation with this man since 1990 - a relation of disliking, a relation of admiration, and the relation of bowing down silently. I have seen him grow as an icon from a child prodigy. I have seen him gift me the flavour of Viv Richards and Sunil Gavaskar. Media over-hype regarding him made me absolutely irritated. 

I still don’t agree that he’s better than The Don or Viv. 

I don’t wish to tag him as God of Cricket! 

But what I do agree is that he had redefined the numbers in cricket and got the whole nation going with him whenever he walked out to bat - India and obviously the rest of the world just watched him bat as if a magician had stopped time and commanded to follow his batting specialty for the last 24 years. 

I do agree he is one of the best batsmen in the history of cricket. 

I enjoyed his straight drives, cover drives, smothering of the bowling attack with punishing strokes; I could skip a date with a beautiful lady for Tendulkar’s back-foot drives. Man! I fell in love with those back-foot drives through point and backward-point.  And so on, so on……and so on! 

Cricket followers like me have so many stories with this man.

I must admit that he was not an ordinary cricketer - a gift of Almighty, who landed on this earth to give hope and calm forget the pangs and anxieties of daily life. 

Very few have carried on the hopes of a nation like he did. 

Surely, Test cricket will be the poorest after his retirement.

Thank You Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar for the wonderful memories! 

Note: This post has been published at Cricketsoccer on 16/11/2013 Thank You Sachin

Thank You

Faisal Caesar

New Zealand Banglawashed!

McClenaghan banged the second ball of the 50th over short, Sohag Gazi upper-cut it for four and the Fatullah stadium erupted with joy. The famous 'Banglawash' had been completed and atmosphere became absolutely electrifying. It was time to celebrate. It was time to relish the unique moment. There were joyous celebrations all around, which went viral throughout the country.

Few could imagine Bangladesh whitewashing the Kiwis 3-0, especially after New Zealand posted 300-plus in the third ODI. Bangladesh are not known to be good chasers, let alone a total in excess of 300 against a top team. But over the years, this Bangladesh team has gained self-belief. No matter how big the total is, how tough the opposition is, the Tigers just don't go down without a fight. That's how they have been able to hand two 'Banglawashes' in a row to New Zealand.

Just before the start of the ODI series, Bangladesh superstar Shakib Al Hasan went down with dengue fever. Shakib was instrumental in scripting that famous 4-0 series win against the Kiwis in 2010. Could Bangladesh do it without Shakib was a big question. In fact, in the past, if any of Bangladesh's main players got injured, it became quite tough to fill that gap.

But things seems to be improving on the Bangladesh bench. Star players still rule the roost but Bangladesh are learning to not just live but also win in their absence, largely due to some good young performers coming up the ranks. Naeem Al Islam filled in Shakib's place with clinical displays, while Tamim Iqbal's absence in the final ODI didn't affect the team thanks to young Shamsur Rahman and Ziaur Rahman.

It was encouraging to see Bangladesh not panicking, which has been a sea change in the side's approach in close finishes. In the past, Bangladesh have lost matches from winning positions. But this bunch of Bangladeshis seems to know how to hold their nerves, though their real test remains away from home.

Credit must be given to skipper Mushfiqur Rahim, who has proved to be the agent of this welcome change. He doesn't fear throwing youngsters into the line of fire, and so far they have come out stronger and as match-winners.

He starred with the bat under pressure and operated like a shrewd tactician on the field, with his thinking cap always on. Opening the bowling with Sohag Gazi, throwing the ball to Mominul Haque at a crucial juncture in the second ODI, investing faith in Rubel Hossain in the first ODI to dent Corey Anderson, placing fielders in the right positions to check the scoring rate - Mushfiqur's each move paid off in this series. But there will be days when things won't work according to his plans, that's when his character will be put to test.

Note: This article has been published on Cricketnext.com on 04/11/2013 New Zealand Banglawashed! 

Thank You

Faisal Caesar

এই জয়টা তাদের কাছ শুধু জয় না, বরং তার চেয়েও বেশী কিছু

সবার মন আজ খুব ভালো। আমাদের সবার প্রিয় ক্রিকেট দল আজ জিতেছে। আরও একটা বাংলাওয়াশ, আরও একটা আনন্দের সময়। কিন্তু একটা গোষ্ঠীর কাছে আজকের জয়টা অন্যরকম। এই জয়টা তাদের কাছ শুধু জয় না, বরং তার চেয়েও বেশী কিছু। 

আমাদের ক্রীড়া সাংবাদিক ভাইয়ারা যারা দেশের ক্রিকেট কভার করেন আর আমার মতো যারা দেশের ক্রিকেট নিয়ে লিখেন তাদের জন্য এই জয় অনেক কিছুর উত্তর। বাংলাদেশ যখন বাজে ভাবে হারে তখন এই সাংবাদিক ভাইয়াদের এবং আমাদের মতো লেখকদের অনেক পিঞ্চিং টাইপ কথা শুনতে হয়। কিছু কথা এমন যে আপনি আপনার মেজাজ ঠিক রাখতে পারবেন না।

আমি যখন নতুন, নতুন ক্রিকেট নিয়ে লিখা শুরু করি এবং ফেসবুকে পোস্ট করা শুরু করি তখন আমি এরকম কথাও শুনেছি ,‘যেই দেশের অধিনায়ক টেস্ট ক্রিকেট বুঝে না সেই দেশের আবার ক্রিকেট লেখক?’ আমি শুনেছি, ‘দেড়-ফুটের বাংলাদেশী আবার ক্রিকেট কি বুঝবে?’ আমি ক্রিকেটের কোন কথা বললেই ওরা বলতো, ‘একজন বাঙ্গাল ক্রিকেট নিয়ে কথা বলছে! তোমাদের কি কিছু আছে?’ আমি শুনেছি, ‘আগে নিজের চেহারা ঠিক কর তারপর ক্রিকেট নিয়ে কথা বল’। এবং আরও অনেক কিছু...... স্ক্রিনশট রাখা উচিৎ ছিল ঐগুলোর। আমি আগে অনেক প্রতিবাদ করতাম। একা বাংলাদেশী আর কত পারা যায়। আস্তে, আস্তে প্রতিবাদ করা বন্ধ করে দেই। প্রতিবাদ করে হবে ন। টাইগারদের মাঠে প্রমাণ করতে হবে। 

ঐ বাজে সময় গুলোতে শুধু একটা বিশ্বাসই ছিলো যে টাইগাররা একদিন গর্জে উঠবে। Bangladesh First নামক অনলাই newspaper-এ একটা লিখাও লিখেছিলামঃ ‘Bangladesh will roar!’ কিন্তু তারপরও আশাতীত কোন ফল হচ্ছিল না। কিন্তু বিশ্বাসটা কখনও মরে যায় নাই। এখন আমাদের ছেলেরা সত্যিই গর্জন করছে। আমি আত্মবিশ্বাসের সাথে বলতে পারি যে আমাদের সাংবাদিক ভাইয়ারাও এরকম হেয় প্রতিপন্ন হয়েছন। সেজন্য, এই বাংলাওয়াশ আমাদের কাছে শুধু বাংলাওয়াশ না, বরং অনেক অপমানের উত্তর। একজন বাংলাদেশী হিসেবে আজ আমি গর্বিত!

আরও অনেকটা পথ পাড়ি দিতে হবে, আরও অনেক কিছু প্রমান করতে হবে।     

বিঃদ্রঃ কারও কারও কাছে এই পোস্টটা অতিরিক্ত আবেগের বৃষ্টি মনে হতে পারে। কিছু করার নাই। মানুষ হিসেবে আমি একটু আবেগি আর আমি মনে করি আবেগ না থাকলে আমি কাউকে ভালোবাসতে পারব না, আবেগ না থাকলে আমি লিখতে পারব না।

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ফয়সাল সিজার