Bangladesh have been beaten but not broken

The interest regarding the second quarterfinal clash was enormous in Bangladesh. It created a massive hype all over the country and even the remotest of places of Bangladesh were gripped by the cricket fever. Bangladesh’s inspiring performances in the group stages made the nation hopeful of another glorious moment in Melbourne, but in the end, there were no delirious moments.

Bangladesh didn’t have a great day in the office against neighbours India. It was one of those days when nothing worked in their favour. Bangladesh took the field beaming with confidence and spirit but certain moments left them dispirited.

The umpiring errors

Mashrafe and his men suffered some pathetic decisions from the umpires. Was the full toss that Rohit Sharma hit down the throat of deep midwicket a no-ball? The ball was only waist-high when Rohit’s bat met it in front of his body, and it was on its way down. It was not a no-ball but the umpires thought otherwise. Bangladesh lost a wonderful opportunity of a breakthrough in the most crucial juncture of India’s innings. His dismissal at that point would have changed the complexion of the game.

Many experts are saying that the no-ball decision was a marginal one. In case of such ‘marginal’ matters, the benefit of doubt always goes to the batsmen. Well, if that is the case then why was Mahmudullah Riyad’s dismissal not seen in the same light?

Shikhar Dhawan’s gallant effort to catch Mahmudullah was a touch-and-go one and it was referred to the third umpire for further evaluation. Surprisingly, the third umpire was quite reluctant to have a closer look at the catch by zooming in on Dhawan’s foot to see whether it had touched the ropes or not. The benefit of the doubt didn’t go in favour of the batsman.

There were also controversy surrounding Tamim Iqbal’s catch being taken cleanly, and an lbw decision given in favour of Suresh Raina.

Umpiring errors do happen in a cricket match, but when such errors happen more often than not, it not only dampens the spirit of a team but also kills the charm of the match.

Mediocre fielding and leadership

Bangladesh should have lifted themselves up after suffering such poor umpiring decisions, but they failed to do that. The world has witnessed a fearless Bangladesh unit in this tournament, but at the MCG the fearlessness was not to be seen.

This team has fought well against all sorts of adversities, but sadly, gave up too easily while chasing India’s total.

When Mahmudullah was dismissed, a healthy partnership was needed and more emphasis on occupying the crease and picking up singles and twos was needed. But the Bangladesh batsmen simply threw their wickets away cheaply.

Moreover, Mashrafe’s captaincy and Bangladesh’s fielding was below average – Mash lacked a clear vision and never created enough pressure to make things happen. Also, there was no need to include Imrul Kayes in the team and Mominul Haque could have been a better choice.

It has been a day every Bangladeshi would wish to forget soon. The sadness does not need to be internalized however, because this time Bangladesh have surprised everyone with the successes they have garnered and their fearless brand of cricket.

Coach Chandika Hathurusingha has done a wonderful job in such a short period to galvanize a fragile team into a cohesive unit. The current team is in brilliant shape and they must continue displaying such attacking brand of cricket consistently and work harder for a  better tomorrow.

Note: This article has been published in Sportskeeda on 20/03/2015 Bangladesh have been beaten but not broken

Thank You

Faisal Caesar

ICC World Cup 2015 - Bangladesh should start dreaming big

What kind of attitude do you expect from your team? Surely, you will always want them to be fearless. There is no adventure in witnessing a team which tends to play in a defensive manner. There is no allurement in witnessing a team which tends to surrender meekly. A team has to have that spunky attitude to demand respect and earn accolades from its critics.

Throughout this World Cup, New Zealand have been the best attacking side. Brendon McCullum has been central to New Zealand’s such eye-popping performances and under his leadership, the Kiwis have displayed fearless aggressive brand of Cricket. Before the clash against Bangladesh, their pace bowlers have been merciless. They hunted the opposition batsmen like a predator and devoured them in ruthless fashion. One has to be fearless while playing against them.

Alien conditions for Bangladesh

At Hamilton, the conditions were ideal for New Zealand’s pace bowlers to put chills down the Bangladeshi batsmen’s spine. The ball swung, beat the bat regularly and a Test match like field was set to trigger apprehension.

Normally, Bangladesh are not habituated to play in such conditions and very few expected them to fare well against the New Zealand pace bowlers, but in this World Cup the Tigers have rediscovered their lost self belief. They have now started playing a fearless brand of Cricket which was evident against New Zealand.

Despite losing two wickets early, the Tigers shrugged off the fear factor and continued to fight back against the best team of the tournament. It was that unsung hero of Bangladesh cricket, Mahmudullah, who orchestrated yet another glorious script for his country by stitching fruitful partnerships and notching up his second consecutive World Cup hundred. Bangladesh lost wickets in crucial stages, but Mahmudullah’s resolve and courage never let Bangladesh lose the momentum.

With plenty of dynamic batsmen in the side, chasing 289 runs in 50 overs should have never been a tough task for New Zealand. But they were made to sweat and at one stage it seemed that Bangladesh might maintain their recent unbeaten record against them. The Tigers fought tooth and nail.

Gamble didn’t pay off

Shakib Al Hasan led from the front with the ball and gave Bangladesh important breakthroughs and stranglehold New Zealand’s serene progress. Bangladeshi bowlers always had an edge over the Kiwi batsmen but in the death overs, when it seemed that yet another World Cup glory waiting for Bangladesh, Shakib made a blunder by not bowling the inform Rubel Hossain who decimated England a few days ago.

He gambled with Nasir Hossain and Mahmudullah’s offspinners in the death and in my opinion, it’s not worthy enough to gamble when you have the best option available. A Shakib-Rubel combination was much needed. Things could have been different had Rubel operated from the 46th over.

I was left wondering whether Bangladesh wanted to win or not. Yes, they certainly have put up a brave effort against the best side of the tournament, but wouldn’t a win be a big psychological boost for them? As an ardent follower of Bangladesh cricket, my expectations are bigger and I want the Tigers to win the maximum amount of matches and not just sit back and smile with these ‘brave’ efforts every now and then.

Bangladesh have been fearless so far, but this new attitude must be utilized to win matches and not hearts. Time has come for Bangladesh to dream big. And this dream must start with the all important quarterfinal match against neighbours India.

Note: This article has been published in Sportskeeda on 14/03/2015 ICC World Cup 2015 - Bangladesh should start dreaming big

Thank You
Faisal Caesar 

Bangladesh fans have been given the best gift ever

In the third ball of 49th over, James Anderson’s stumps were disturbed by a full almost yorker-length ball from Rubel Hossain, triggering a wild celebration near my house which is at Lalkuthi, Mipur. People came out of their houses to express their joy and the noise they created filled my ear –  the noise didn’t puzzle me, it only made me realize yet again what a piece of willow and leather ball can mean to sixteen crore passionate hearts.

In the subcontinent, cricket is not just a sport taught by the British to natives when they landed here. It’s not just a sport which is played on lazy Sundays on village greens where cucumber sandwiches are washed down with tea or ale. In the subcontinent, cricket is a vibrant culture, an identity, a way of life; and in Bangladesh, cricket is oxygen.

Tragic story of Bangladesh cricket fans

The story of a Bangladesh cricket fan is always a tragic one. There is seldom a chance to smile big while the Tigers are in action. Nightmares have to be digested, stadiums have to be left behind with heavy hearts. There are two types of fans – ones who are left with tears in their eyes, and the others who leave cursing their team.

The love, however, never dries up in either kind, that is a rule.

Against the big teams, Bangladesh’s performances have never been consistent, for which England were dubbed by analysts as the favourites in the lead-up to the all important World Cup clash. But the passionate cricket fans of Bangladesh always believed that the English emperor can be conquered. At Adelaide, the enormous self-belief of Bangladesh cricket fans was proved right.

Heroes in Bangladesh cricket folklore

But passion alone can’t win a match. It has to be won by the more deserving team and at Adelaide, surely, Bangladesh were just that. They outclassed England in all departments: the middle-order batsmen exhibited ideal temperament and fought well despite having lost two early wickets, the fielders gave their hundred percent and the English batsmen surrendered against Bangladeshi pace bowling – not left-arm spin bowling.

If Mahmudullah’s hundred has entered Bangladesh cricket’s folklore, Mashrafe Mortaza’s nagging-and-incisive length, Taskin Ahmed’s youthful guile and of course, Rubel Hossain’s lively pace have to be given a place in history as well.  

For the last twelve months or so, the story of Bangladesh cricket has been shoddy. Adversity has always motivated Bangladesh and at Adelaide, a motivated Bangladesh team gave its fans the best gift ever. It was an unforgettable moment for each and every Bangladeshi.

Note: This article has been posted in Sportskeeda on 10/03/2015 Bangladesh fans have been given the best gift ever

Thank You

Faisal Caesar