Hello
Baz,
My father was a patient of carcinoma of tongue. It was first
diagnosed in 2011 and immediately, we took the necessary steps to arrest its
further progression. My father was physically stable for the last four years,
until the cancer unleashed it’s aggressive nature eight months back.
We took necessary steps to cure the cancer. He started to
receive chemo and radiotherapy, but this time around, he lost the battle
against cancer.
The cancer won, my father closed his eyes once and for all.
Date
6/02/2016. Time: 12:45 am.
All of a sudden, my father developed hematemesis (vomiting
of blood). We took him to the hospital, but sadly, it was not possible to start
the necessary emergency managements as my father had breathed his last breath
by then. An emptiness devoured our world and we were left astonished. Death is
a cruel reality for everyone, but at times, it is never easy to accept the
death of the near and dear ones.
Being a doctor, I felt helpless.
I am a doctor by profession and currently, I am working in
the department of cardiology at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University in
Dhaka. I am doing a postgraduation in Internal Medicine. My MD part-1
examinations were going on when my father died. On 8/02/2016, I was supposed to
appear for the viva examinations of Physiology and Biochemistry. As a son, it
was never easy to think about exams let alone faring well.
As a son, my world was shattered.
Being the only son of my parents, I had to fulfill a lot of
responsibilities. The morning of February 6, 2016, was a hectic one and I can’t
explain anyone how did I manage all those purposes on my own. My mother and
sister were devastated while my wife had to take care of the situation smartly.
I maintained my calm and composure and proceeded on with the
religious and necessary tasks which are required to bury a dead body in Islam.
A day later, I decided to attend my exams and I was able to complete my viva
exams. I am still moving on with my life – taking care of my family, attending
my hospital work and helping my family members in their respective works.
It needs immense courage and humungous amount of willpower to stand on your feet in
such a short time and for this, I must thank our beloved Prophet Hazrat
Muhammad (SAW)’s unique patience and ability to conquer adversity and then, I
am grateful to two most courageous cricketers of recent times who have defied
all the odds to bounce back in style.
One of
them is Mashrafe Bin Mortaza and the next one is you.
Baz, your appointment as the captain of New Zealand few
years back triggered harsh criticisms. Ross Taylor was the most popular choice
of the critics and fans and there were times, you lacked the support and
encouragement to lead the team.
Your first real Test was against South Africa three years
back. In one word, it was a disastrous one for you and the Kiwis. Dale Steyn,
Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander were ferocious and made you and your team to
hit the rock bottom. New Zealand cricket was at bay while your captaincy under
the scrutiny.
Things got worse for you as the Kiwis’ performance was
dismal during the England and Bangladesh tour. Critics didn’t spare you.
But you denied to give up. You decided to turn things around
for New Zealand. The dawn of 2014 witnessed a galvanized New Zealand unit. They
played their cricket aggressively and we called it as ‘fearless brand of
cricket’. The man behind this dramatic change has been you.
You buried the prophets of doom and gloom permanently in the
graveyard and instilled confidence in your men and led from the front to
display the sort of cricket which has been a subject of joy for the fans all
over the world.
Your men play their cricket aggressively, but they never
dented the spirit of the game by sledging. They have been a fabulous ambassador
of cricket. The way you paid tribute to Phillip Hughes by advising your bowlers
not to bowl a bouncer and not celebrate the fall of a wicket, had been a
fantastic advertisement of top-notch sportsmanship which will help the next
generation of cricketers to understand the true meaning of sports.
You started practicing the culture of accepting one’s own
mistakes rather than relying on the blame game. New Zealand suffered some
umpiring blunders recently, but still, you did not start a war of words and
sparked a widespread criticism, but decided to accept your team’s own flaws –
such a practice is so rare in today’s world.
Your magical captaincy has been quite beneficial for Test
cricket. Your aggressive-and-fearless-brand-of-cricket has helped to increase
the interest about Test matches among the young generation, who are
disinterested about five-day matches.
They switch on the television and make their presence felt
in the stadium whenever you and your team take the field in a Test match. You
and your men have rejuvenated Test cricket.
While, in limited-overs cricket, you have shown the
pragmatic minds of how to go for an all-out attack and set aggressive fields,
even when the best batsman of the opposition is batting at the crease.
The story of your turnaround has been a source of
inspiration for me. From a no-hoper, you have proved yourself to be reckoned
among the best captains of your time. Whenever people talked about great
cricketers from New Zealand, they never bothered to mention your name.
You were only treated as an entertainer and one of the worst
captains. But, you overcame all these tough times with flying colors. You
managed to impress the lady luck only because you decided not to give up, but
continue to fight till the very end.
You have decided to retire from international cricket.
Without a doubt international cricket, especially, Test cricket will be poorer
without you. But, I would like to praise you for realizing the perfect time to
leave the scene. You shunned achieving personal milestones and listened to your
heart.
Baz, you have inspired a son, doctor, postgraduate student
and a cricket fan during his toughest times.
Again, I thank you for this.
With
regards,
A son,
doctor and cricket fan
Faisal
Caesar
