Tigers Were Movers & Shakers..Saleque Sufi

Tigers Were Movers & Shakers

…Saleque Sufi…

Bengal Tigers rocked and Rolled .They were movers and shakers .More over a month they brought the entire Bangladeshi nation in one platform with one thought and believe .They created dreams and confidence , they created new belief ,self-confidence .Tigers gave a sense of “ can do “ , “ never say attitude “. They created moments of joy . They created smiles and tears .It is for them Bangladesh flag was flying gloriously at Iconic MCG and Bangladesh national anthem was sang by millions .It was for this indomitable tigers a place like Federation Square Melbourne became Mini Bangladesh . We could meet many Bangladeshis living in different states of Australia and in different countries of the world.

Tigers made Bangladesh known to Australians in different parts of Australia .They made us Bangladeshi Australians proud. During the world cup we moved to different states of Australia with a high powered Bangladesh Energy and Power Sector delegation for visiting coal mines, power plants, coal ports, LNG facilities .Everywhere we went cricket and tigers were among topic of discussion .Even when Bangladesh lost the quarter final at MCG against reigning world champion India Bangladesh was in the headline .There was general feeling in neutral section that,” Bangladesh Was Robbed by Poor Umpiring.”

Many people,Ministers,MPs, Political leaders of Bangladesh come and go. People hardly take any notice .But Bengal tigers this time has own the heart of the people in Australia and New Zealand .This is for the first time Bangladesh was established at MCG, Adelaide Oval, Manuka Oval and Gabba. Tigers established themselves firmly in Cricket World. With a little bit of luck and fair decisions by ICC umpires of elite panel Bangladesh could proceed further. There is a general feeling now that deliberate umpiring mistakes deprived Bangladesh.

 

Bangladesh made Brisbane its base camp. They came early for acclimatizing with wickets and condition. They lost all preparatory matches. But nevertheless they got used to wickets and conditions .The selection of the team had limitations. The two additional left arm spinners were unnecessary .They had less utility in down under .Bangladesh should have brought additional top order batsman and a leg spinner. Even a top order batsman of the class and caliber of Mominul Haq was not utilized. The absence of a seasoned spinner like Abdur Razzak was keenly filled.  Great utility bowler Al Amin was harshly treated and was sent back home shattering the dream of a budding young talent .The matter could be handled more sympathetically.

BCB spent lot of money bearing the expense of a huge army of unscrupulous persons. Several persons having no role in team management were in Australia and New Zealand spending tax payers money. It could be much useful spending the money one some young cricketers giving them a taste of down under. Some controversies were created by some BCB officails here which someway dampened the spirit of the team.

Bangladesh played the first match at Canberra against Afghanistan which they won comprehensively. The second match against favorite Australia at Brisbane was a lucky break .The points were shared  in a rain out match. Third match was historic appearance at MCG which Bangladesh lost to maestros Shangrakkara and Dilshan dominated Sri Lanka .Bangladesh swept past Scotland and England at Nelson and Adelaide. Finally they competed bravely against team of the tournament New Zealand at Hamilton.

Brilliant Bangladesh performance won the heart of cricket loving millions across the cricket world .Bangladeshis assembled in thousands in Melbourne .We enjoyed every moment of Tigers presence in and around MCG .Practice sessions witnessed get together of Bangladeshis around MCG. Federation square became a Mini Bangladesh .We came across many friends – cricketers past and present, cricket officails and Cricket writers. This was only possible for Masrafee Sqaud playing brilliant cricket.

Indian look looked visibly concerned before the match. Indian media looked panicked and worried .Our pride cricketer legendary Aminul Islam Bubul attracted top Indian media. But unfortunately Bangladesh team management did not feel it necessary to take his advice .SBS Television was seen interviewing another Icon player Omar Khaled Rumi.

 

Bangladesh appeared very confident at MCG. At least 10,000 Bangladeshis were there at MCG. The toss was lost and India got the advantage of batting first on a flat deck. Yet Tigers bowled exceptionally well.Rubel and Taskin bowled with hostile pace. Indain batsmen somehow survived .,Till 35 th over Bangladesh was very much in the game .Shikhar Dhawan , Virat Kohli and Ajinka Rahane were sent back pretty cheaply .Free Scoring Raina was shackled up to a point. He could be given out LBW of the bowling of Mashrafee. The ball pitched on leg stump line and appeared to heading towards leg and middle stump .He got the benefit of doubt. He was dropped also .Rohit was out clean by Imrul Kayes off a low full toss. But too the astonishment of the MCG crowd the ball was ruled no ball. It was a Robbery in the broad day light. Shell shocked Bangladesh team lost their cool. The bowling and fielding looked ragged .Getting the illegitimate favor of the umpires Rohit and Raina ran riot. Over 100 runs were added in the last 10 0bvers. A target of 303 in quarter final before a huge crowd at MCG is always a difficult task to chase. The score could be 260-270 if Bangladesh got neutral verdicts from the umpires.

 

Yet Bangladesh was going smoothly even after losing two early wickets. Inform Mahamudullah and budding youngster Soumya Sarkar was doing the resurrecting act skillfully. But again Bangladesh got a rough decision. The video replay of Shikhar Dhawan catching Mahamudullah from the rope after third attempt was inconclusive .He deserved the benefit of doubt but not given. Even the caught behind of Tamim had reasonable doubts but did not get.

Entire sporting world witnessed how nakedly ICC appointed umpires from Elite Panel favored India. Bangladesh got robbed Tigers were knocked out unfairly.  The reaction of ICC President AHM Kamal of Bangladesh was also ungainly and unsmart. He is ICC President and mistakes were made by ICC appointed umpires. He could have raised the matter with ICC before making childish statement .Will he actually resign? Did not he say earlier that ICC presidents role and responsibility is nothing more than a puppet?

All said and done and Tigers journey to down under done and dusted we must congratulate the team and its coaching stuff for presenting wonderfully entraining cricket .You tigers were moments of Joy and tears . You were the greatest ambassadors of Bangladesh. We hope Cricket Australia will soon invite Bangladesh again for bilateral series in Australia.