“The three great elemental sounds in nature are the sound of rain, the sound of wind in a primaeval wood, and the sound of the outer ocean on a beach,” wrote Henry Beston. For many in Bangladesh, these are poetic and serene, but they pale in comparison to a more electrifying sound—the deafening roar of cricket fans in jam-packed stadiums at Mirpur, Chittagong, Khulna, and Fatullah.
That roar, echoing through the hearts of millions, is more
than a celebration. It is a testament to the resilience, passion, and
determination of a nation that dared to dream against all odds. And none of it
would have been possible without that fateful day—**June 26, 2000**—when
Bangladesh was awarded Test status.
A Dream Beyond the
Horizon
Cricket in Bangladesh, before Test status, was like a river
without a destination. The followers were there, the passion undeniable, but
there was no stage grand enough to channel their fervour. The road to Test
cricket was not merely challenging—it was strewn with scepticism and
setbacks.
Bangladesh's victory at the ICC Trophy in 1997, followed by
the iconic win against Pakistan in the 1999 World Cup at Northampton, were
watershed moments. These achievements provided
Saber Hossain Chowdhury, Syed Ashraful Haque, and their team the
ammunition to campaign for Test recognition. Yet, even with these wins, the
task was daunting. Persuading the International Cricket Council (ICC) required
more than just results—it demanded vision, strategy, and unshakable
belief.
The Eddie Barlow Era:
Architect of Change
Enter Eddie Barlow, the South African legend whose
short-sightedness and stout build as a boy had earned him the nickname Bunter.”
What he lacked in physical elegance, he more than compensated for with his
determination and cricketing acumen. By the time he joined Bangladesh in 1999,
Barlow had already carved out a legacy of competitive cricket infused with grit
and professionalism.
Barlow wasn’t just a coach—he was a revolutionary. He
emphasized the development of Bangladesh’s domestic cricket structure,
understanding that the foundation of Test success lay in nurturing talent from
within. Former cricketer and selector Faruqe Ahmed would later call him *“the
architect behind the change of the domestic structure.”
Barlow’s approach was holistic. He worked relentlessly with
the players, instilling in them not just skills but the mental resilience
required to face the rigours of Test cricket. His philosophy was simple yet
profound: Bangladesh had to think and act like a Test nation long before they
were granted the status.
The Players’
Coach
For the cricketers, Barlow was more than a mentor; he was a father figure. His encouragement and belief transformed careers. Habibul Bashar, one of Bangladesh’s most dependable batsmen, recalled how Barlow stood up for him when his place in the team was uncertain.
“Whatever I have achieved was
because of that man,” said Bashar, remembering how Barlow ensured his
inclusion in Bangladesh’s inaugural Test squad.
Barlow’s faith in Bangladesh cricket was unwavering, even
when the rest of the world doubted. His presentation to the ICC, showcasing the
growth of cricket in Bangladesh, was pivotal in swaying the votes needed to
secure Test status.
The First Test: A
Symbol of Triumph
When Bangladesh played their inaugural Test against India in
November 2000, Barlow was there, despite a debilitating stroke that confined
him to a wheelchair. His presence symbolized the culmination of years of effort,
sacrifice, and belief.
The match itself was historic, not least because of Aminul
Islam’s magnificent century on debut. Reflecting on that day, Aminul recalled
how Barlow’s struggles to stand and applaud his achievement became one of the
most poignant moments of his career. “Soon after thanking Allah, I looked
towards the dressing room where a paralysed Eddie Barlow was trying hard to
stand up from his wheelchair to give a standing ovation,” Aminul said.
This was not just a game. It was a vindication of a
dream.
The Legacy of Barlow
Barlow’s tenure with Bangladesh was tragically cut short by
a hemorrhagic stroke, and he passed away in 2005. Yet, his legacy endures. He
laid the groundwork for a cricketing culture that continues to evolve, though
the pace has often been frustratingly slow. Many believe that had Barlow stayed
longer, Bangladesh’s domestic structure might have been stronger, and their
early struggles in Test cricket less pronounced.
The Sound That Echoes
Still
As Bangladesh prepared to play their 100th Test match at the
P. Sara Oval on March 15, 2017, the journey came full circle. From those early
days of scepticism to becoming one of the most passionately supported cricket
nations in the world, the Tigers have come a long way.
Eddie Barlow, watching from beyond, would surely feel pride in what he helped build. His vision and belief gave a voice to a nation’s cricketing aspirations. Today, that voice reverberates in the stadiums of Mirpur and Chittagong, louder and more vibrant than the monsoon rains or the waves of Cox’s Bazar.
Bangladesh cricket is not just a story of sport; it is a story of hope, resilience, and triumph. It is the sound of a nation finding its place on the global stage.
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