Moments of Glory for Bangladesh Cricket

The highlight of the match between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka is the historic first appearance of Bangladesh Cricket team at Iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground. Bangladesh earlier played at Lords and most of the other major cricket venues around the world .Bangladesh were not invited to play in India off course.
Over 5000 Bangladehis at MCG and millions on lookers on Television and internet definitely were nostalgic when national anthem was played at MCG and national flags were playing all around. Bangladeshi legend cricketer Aminul Islam, the first centurion in the first test that Bangladesh played at Bangabandhu stadium had the honor of carrying the trophy to the MCG before the match .It was a fitting respect to a really deserving cricket personality. Aminul now a Melbournian works as ACC development officer in Kualampoor. Watching Aminul carrying the trophy was a great moment of pride and joy for Bangladeshis.

We all know that Bangladesh was defeated and defeated by a huge margin of 92 runs by a vastly superior side Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka scored 332/1 in their allotted 50 overs .Bangladesh in reply was bundled out for 240.Let us not fuss about it. Bangladesh was comprehensively beaten.
Before the match started Bangladesh was in n advantageous position having three points from 2 matches while Sri Lankans had two from two. Bangladesh beat Afghanistan very comfortably while Sri Lanka had to struggle a lot in overcoming strong Afghan challenge. But in the contest on the day Lankan Lions overwhelmed the Bengal tigers in rather one way contest.

The team that drops 4 catches and misses two stumping chances against a superior side cannot expect to make any contest. Anyone who has any knowledge of International Cricket is aware of the difference of quality and experience of the two teams. Sri Lanka has long experience of playing at MCG. Both Sangrakara and Jayewardene individually played more than double ODI than all Bangladeshis put together. Sri Lanka defeating Bangladesh cannot be any news, but Bangladeshis upsetting Sri Lankan could be a major news .Sri Lanka was runners up in 2007 and 2011 world cup. True this time they did not start as favorites. But form is temporary but class is permanent .Some top Sri Lankan players have started peaking form and the team is looking different.

Having said all above the manners in which Bangladesh lost deserves discussion. The team morale was reflected in the body language .The spirit that was firing from all cylinder at Canberra against Afghanistan was sadly missing. The team was a bit shell shocked from the incident involving their team mate Al Amin before this crucial match. Whether or not Al Amin deserved such a harsh hasty action, is beside the point. But the incident definitely created some heart burns, some bleeding in the team spirits. That bleeding affected the nimble footedness while chasing the ball and while going for the catches. Bangladesh while fielding dropped as many as four catches and missed two stumping opportunities. Having been let off Sri Lankan batsmen mercilessly punished Bangladesh bowling scoring a mammoth 332 /1 in allotted over. Needless mentioning that a better spirited team could restrict the Sri Lankans to manageable scores.
We do not even agree that 332 was an unassailable target in vast MCG. Sri Lankan attack was not lethal or unplayable .MCG wicket on the occasion had no venom.

But Bangladesh created all issues in their batting by their own follies. First Tamim had his furniture disturbed playing down the wrong line to a Malinga fast incoming delivery – the very second ball. A rude shock which Bangladesh could not recover. Bangladesh required calm composure. Mushfique could be ideal choice .But young Shoumya was set in. He did not do all that bad smashing 25 in 15 deliveries. But when he left Bangladesh had two wickets down in no time. Again a mistake was made instead of sending Mushfique or Shakib nervous Mominul was sent. What was the logic of holding back two of the best batsmen when Bangladesh was chasing a huge target? Poor strategy played the match to Sri Lanka’s favor .Eventually when the two inform better batsmen came to the wicket over 26 overs were consumed . Bangladesh was reeling at 5 /100.Survival till 50 the over became more important .Shakib Mushfique tried their best to revive. But Shakib too feel to his own poor choice of stroke when a better judgment was expected from the seasoned campaigner. Musfique too did not last long. Young Turk Shabbir played a dynamic innings for his maiden half century. Here is a very impressive lad in deed with batting, fielding and even bowling. A bright prospect. Bangladesh eventually lost by a wide margin of 92 runs. Such a defeat harmed Bangladesh cause of advancing to quarter finals. Now Bangladesh has to beat either New Zealand or England in addition to winning against Scotland. A very tough ask.

What Bangladesh gained from hurriedly taken harsh actions against a junior player? Team spirit got hurt. Bangladesh lost a match by a wide margin. Melbourne crowd witnessed a heated argument between Manager and the coach. Rumour got around that Manager himself did not stay with the team at Melbourne. Senior players in the team opposed taking such a harsh action. But were ignored. ACSU did not send any official report against Al Amin .But then whom BCB obliged? One action caused huge and who knows may cost more. We are not sure when again Bangladesh will have opportunity for playing at MCG again. Australia does not invite Bangladesh often. The lone time Bangladesh was here they played at Darwin and Cairns. It may not be any different in near future. Only chance Bangladesh qualifies and plays the quarter final at MCG.