March: The Month of Triumph and Resilience for Bangladesh

March in Bangladesh’s history is no mere page in the calendar—it is a living testament to resilience, courage, and the unyielding will to stand free. In 1971, the month’s final week ignited the nation’s defining struggle: the Liberation War. On March 25, the West Pakistani military unleashed a night of brutality in Dhaka, but the flames they sought to extinguish only blazed higher. Within two days, Major Ziaur Rahman’s declaration of independence—broadcast from Kalurghat Radio Station on behalf of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman—rang across the land, a call that transformed fear into defiance.

Decades later, March would again test Bangladesh’s spirit—not on a battlefield, but on a cricket field. In 2017, amid the shadow of terrorist attacks and national anxiety, the Bangladesh cricket team stepped into Colombo for their landmark 100th Test. Against Sri Lanka, a nation long dominant on its home turf, Bangladesh sought not only victory but affirmation—a moment that could stand alongside the great turning points of their sporting history.

Day One: A Statement of Intent

The P Sara Oval greeted Bangladesh with ceremonial warmth, but the challenge ahead was severe. Losing the toss could have tilted the balance, yet Mustafizur Rahman’s early incision and Mehedi Hasan’s guile dismantled Sri Lanka’s top order. By lunch, the hosts were tottering at 70 for 4. Chandimal’s defiance—86 not out at stumps—kept them afloat, but Bangladesh had made their presence felt.

There was more than skill at play; there was belief. Tamim Iqbal’s constant chatter in the field, Shakib Al Hasan’s tight spells, Mushfiqur Rahim’s sharp glove work—all spoke of a side determined to seize the moment. This was no ordinary start; it was a declaration that Bangladesh would not be passengers in their centennial Test.

The Middle Passage: Endurance and Errors

Cricket’s narrative often swings on discipline. On the second day, Bangladesh’s bowlers found themselves on the wrong end of Chandimal’s patience. His century, built alongside Herath and Lakmal, lifted Sri Lanka to 338. In reply, Bangladesh began brightly—Tamim and Soumya Sarkar stroking a fluent stand—but wickets at crucial intervals stunted momentum. By stumps, the scoreboard reflected both promise and peril.

It was on the third day that Bangladesh turned the match’s tide. Starting on 214 for 5, they needed a seasoned hand to anchor the innings. Shakib answered with a measured, risk-averse century—his fifth in Tests—while debutant Mosaddek Hossain added a composed 75. Their seventh-wicket stand of 131 propelled Bangladesh to 467, a lead of 129. For only the second time in their history, they had taken a first-innings lead away from home while batting second.

Day Four: The Spell That Tilted the Game

If Shakib’s innings was the backbone, Mustafizur’s post-lunch spell on day four was the dagger. In oppressive Colombo heat, he bent the ball like a conjurer, dismissing Mendis, Chandimal, and de Silva in a seven-over burst that reshaped the contest. Shakib’s three wickets and Taijul Islam’s late strike ensured Sri Lanka closed with only a 139-run lead. The tension was now palpable—the fourth innings would be the crucible.

Day Five: Crossing the Threshold

Chasing 191 in an away Test is treacherous terrain for Bangladesh, but Tamim and Sabbir Rahman’s 109-run stand for the third wicket was a masterclass in poise. Tamim’s 82 was a blend of caution and calculated aggression, featuring drives through extra cover and a towering six over long-on. Yet, as is often the case in Bangladesh’s history, the finish was not without drama.

Shakib’s dismissal with 29 still required stirred nerves. Mushfiqur narrowly escaped an lbw on review. Mosaddek’s crisp boundaries brought the target within touching distance before he fell. Finally, Mehedi Hasan’s sweep sealed the win—their first ever Test victory over Sri Lanka and a fitting jewel for their 100th match.

The Turning Point Beyond the Field

This victory did not emerge from thin air. It was forged in an hour-long dressing-room meeting after their heavy Galle defeat—a session of candid self-assessment led by coach Chandika Hathurusingha and senior players. They spoke of valuing every run, every saved boundary, every moment of pressure applied. It was not unlike the fabled 2003 Indian World Cup team meeting that sparked a turnaround.

In Colombo, the lessons bore fruit. The bowlers attacked with intelligence; the fielders stayed alert; the batsmen absorbed pressure and built partnerships. Hathurusingha later called Mustafizur’s fourth-day spell “the game changer,” but the real change was deeper—an alignment of focus, effort, and belief.

Conclusion: March, Again

Bangladesh’s win at the P Sara Oval was more than a statistical milestone. It was the proof of a team’s capacity to learn, adapt, and prevail against a formidable home side. For a nation that marks March as the month of liberation, the victory was symbolic—another chapter of resilience, another reaffirmation that perseverance yields triumph.

The 100th Test was not just a cricket match. It was an echo of 1971’s spirit: that under pressure, with the odds against them, Bangladesh can still rise. And if they hold onto the lessons from Colombo—cherishing every run, guarding every chance—they might just find that the place they have always sought to succeed, Test cricket, is now within their grasp.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar

The Roar of a Nation: The Legacy of Bangladesh’s Test Journey

“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.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar

Bangladesh in the Fourth Innings: A Test of Patience, Technique, and Temperament

For Bangladesh cricket fans, recounting moments of grit and triumph in the fourth innings of a Test feels like an exercise in futility. These instances, sparse and scattered, are overshadowed by a string of collapses that have come to define the Tigers' narrative in Test cricket. Among the rare glimmers of hope, Javed Omar’s stoic resistance against Zimbabwe in Dhaka remains etched in memory—a defiant stand that secured a hard-fought draw and paved the way for Bangladesh's first Test series win. 

Four years later, in 2009, Bangladesh achieved an unforgettable milestone in Grenada, chasing down a target to sweep a historic series in the West Indies. Yet, these are anomalies in a broader story of struggles in the fourth innings, where they have consistently failed to save matches, even on pitches designed to favour batsmen. 

The Galle Conundrum 

The first Test of the 2017 series against Sri Lanka at Galle added another chapter to this saga. While some fans might take solace in the fact that Bangladesh took the match to the fifth day, a deeper analysis reveals yet another missed opportunity. The pitch at Galle, historically a spinners' paradise, surprisingly offered little menace this time—a flat deck reminiscent of the one in 2013, where Bangladesh had scripted their first 600-plus total. 

Sri Lanka batted first, amassing 494 runs—a challenging yet not insurmountable target. With stalwarts like Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim, and Mahmudullah in their ranks, Bangladesh had the resources to mount a response. Indeed, the opening partnership provided a steady start, but the middle and lower order failed to seize the momentum, crumbling under the pressure of the final day. 

A Day of Disappointment 

The collapse began with Soumya Sarkar, whose lethargic approach to Asela Gunaratne's gentle medium pace set the tone. His dismissal, marked by indifference, seemed to infect the rest of the lineup. Mominul Haque was trapped plumb in front, Shakib misread a delivery that leapt off the rough, and Mahmudullah’s erratic footwork led to his undoing. Even the usually reliable Mushfiqur Rahim  fell victim to poor shot selection, while Liton Das, just as he began to settle, threw his wicket away with a needless stroke, gifting Rangana Herath another milestone. 

By lunch, the innings had disintegrated. Bangladesh had lost their final six wickets for a meagre addition, suffering a humbling 259-run defeat. 

The Art of Survival 

Surviving in the fourth innings of a Test is not merely about skill but also temperament, patience, and the ability to adapt to the situation. Legendary knocks—like **Hanif Mohammad’s iconic marathon against the West Indies**—are underpinned by a simple mantra: play straight, keep the ball down, and focus on preserving one’s wicket. 

Bangladesh’s failure lies in their inability to embrace these fundamentals. The numbers tell a telling story: while Sri Lankan batsmen occupied the crease for **1914 minutes** across their innings, Bangladesh could muster just **1336 minutes**, highlighting their tendency to lose concentration under pressure. 

The T20 Influence 

The modern obsession with shorter formats, particularly T20 cricket, has left an indelible mark on Bangladesh’s approach. Players like Tamim Iqbal and Soumya Sarkar are celebrated for their stroke-filled cameos, yet their inability—or unwillingness—to grind out innings is often overlooked. The result is a cricketing culture that prioritizes aggression over resilience. 

Efforts to instil a Test-centric mindset are often undermined by this culture. Coaches may preach the virtues of patience and adaptability, but the broader cricketing ecosystem in Bangladesh glorifies adventurous batting, even at the expense of match-saving pragmatism. 

Seventeen Years and Still Learning 

After 17 years in Test cricket, the Tigers remain students of the format. The nuances of occupation, consolidation, and adaptation continue to elude them, with their fourth-innings struggles symbolizing this broader learning curve. 

As Bangladesh looks to the future, it is imperative to foster a mature Test culture—one that celebrates the grind as much as the glory. For only then can the Tigers truly roar, not just in flashes, but as a sustained force in the longest format of the game.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar