Looking back 2015
When Bangladesh take the cricketing world by storm
The Year of the Tigers
SYED MOHAMMED PITHU
Bangladesh cricket found its mojo in 2015 after toiling through a long and tortuous journey in the international arena. From a team capable of producing occasional flashes of brilliance, the Tigers have evolved into consistent performers at least in ODIs. Even though their performances in Tests and T20 matches were nowhere near the amazing record in ODI cricket, there has been a marked progress in both the longest and shortest versions of the game.
Although the recent international success has put domestic cricket in the shade, the Bangladesh Cricket Boards (BCBs) policy to run cricket all year round has contributed to an efficient set-up from where players like Soumya Sarkar and Mustafizur Rahman burst onto the national scene.
Bangladesh womens cricket team, age-level cricket and Bangladesh A team also did reasonably well in 2015. Even the A-teams bad performance during the India tour in October could not take the gloss off from the success of Bangladesh cricket throughout the year. The mens cricket team produced eye-catching performances against the most formidable opponents. While 13 ODI victories might not seem very impressive, the sheer strength of the opponents made the year an annus mirabilis for Bangladesh cricket.
Mustafizur Rahmans groundbreaking debut in both Tests and ODIs, Tamim Iqbals double century in the Test against Pakistan, in addition to a record-breaking opening stand with Imrul Kayes, Mahmudullah Riyads two consecutive centuries in the ICC World Cup as first Bangladeshi batsman, Mashrafe Bin Mortazas and Shakib Al Hasans 200-wicket landmark in ODIs, and Mominul Haques successive 11 half-centuries in 11 Tests were some of the highlights of the year.
This was in complete contrast to 2014, when Bangladesh cricket plunged into the absolute nadir. Until the series against Zimbabwe, Bangladesh had managed only two wins in 25 international matches across three formats and even those had come against Nepal and Afghanistan in World Twenty20. After going through a streak of 13 losses in the limited overs cricket, they managed five straight ODIs against Zimbabwe at the end of 2014. It eventually turned out as the prelude to a blockbuster year.
In 2015, a historical World Cup quarter-final appearance was followed by maiden series wins over Pakistan and India and then the mighty South Africa. They rounded off the year with yet another series whitewash over Zimbabwe, a team against whom the run of success had begun. In the process, they sealed the 2017 Champions Trophy berth after having climbed to the seventh position in the ICC ODI rankings.
The cricketing fraternity first took notice of this young Bangladesh team during the ICC World Cup in March 2015. Bangladesh were selected in a group with co-hosts Australia and New Zealand, along with England, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Scotland.
They won against Afghanistan, as expected, and lost to Sri Lanka. Next, they went on to beat Scotland by six wickets. But the real giant-killing happened in the next game. With a slot in the last eight-stage was up for grabs, Bangladesh went to the match against England with five points in four matches. In a tightly contested game in Adelaide, Bangladesh secured a stunning 15-run win over the English side, thanks to Mahmudullah Riyads century, the first for any Bangladeshi batsman in World Cup, Mushfiqur Rahims half-century (89), and Rubel Hossains four for 53.
They finally bowed out of the World Cup in the quarter-finals, losing to India by 109 runs, but not before a hue and cry was raised about the no-ball called by umpire Aleem Dar when Rohit Sharma was caught on 90. Sharma eventually went on to score 137 and helped India reach the semi-final. Bangladesh, of course, felt deprived, but that particular match turned them in a completely new outfit and instilled belief in each of the players.
Later in the year, Pakistan visited the country with a record of not losing to Bangladesh in any format since 1999. They were, however, whitewashed in the three-match ODI series and the margins of each defeat was stunning: by 79 runs in the first, by seven wickets in the second, and by eight wickets in the third match. They also won the lone Twenty20 of the series before losing the two-match Test series. A 206 from Tamim Iqbal, highest individual Test score for Bangladesh, and a 312-run opening stand between Tamim and Imrul Kayes helped Bangladesh draw the first Test before they lost the second one.
The series against Pakistan gave the Tigers loads of confidence before Indias arrival in June. The one-off Test between the two sides was cancelled due to rain after being largely dominated by India. But Bangladesh continued to maintain their amazing run in the ODIS. The Indian selectors sent a full-fledged side for the tour of Bangladesh and were expected to win the series. The home team surprised everyone when they beat India comprehensively by 79 runs in the first ODI after posting a massive 308-run target. They followed it up by another crushing six-wicket victory over India in the second match to seal the series 2-0. It was their 10th straight ODI wins at home. India finally won the final ODI by 77 runs and managed to avoid a series whitewash.
Bangladeshs golden run seemed to have stopped against South Africa. The Proteas set off their tour with two easy wins in the two-match T20I series and then registered an easy eight-wicket victory in the first ODI. It was hard for even a die-hard Bangladesh fan to imagine a turnaround. But the Tigers came back from the dead by simply crushing South Africa in the last two ODIs to wrap up yet another series win in style. The two-match Test series, however, ended in a draw after rain played a spoilsport, washing out six days out of 10 possible days of the two Tests.
Zimbabwe were not a team to give the Tigers any trouble and, as expected, Bangladesh whitewashed them in a three-match series. They finished the year with a disappointing defeat to Zimbabwe in the second T20, after having won the first one, when Navile Madziva stole 18 runs in the last over to avoid Zimbabwes tour sweep. Notwithstanding that minor blip, Bangladesh have earned respect from the worlds top cricketing nations.
However, the on-field glitter was partly clouded by some off-field issues. The incident of Rubel and Happy, where the latter had filed a case against the pace bowler, and Shahadat Hossain Rajibs torture of his maid tarnished the image of the cricketers to some extent.
In domestic cricket, Prime Bank enjoyed a run of success after winning the coveted Dhaka Premier League and Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL) titles. Khulna has emerged as the champion of the National Cricket League. The third edition of BPL, resumed after two years, was a huge success. Comilla Victorians, led by Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, clinched the title, with Mashrafe claiming three BPL titles in a row as captain.
Much of Bangladeshs outstanding success in 2015 can be attributed to the inspirational captaincy of Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, who led the side from the front. Renowned commentator Athar Ali Khan termed the decision to give Mashrafe the captaincy as a masterstroke. The pacers infectious energy on the field and composure off it has worked wonders for his team. The arrival of quality young fast bowlers also helped the team. Both Rubel Hussain and Taskin Ahmed can bowl at 140 kph, and can make batsmen jump and fend. Mustafizur Rahmans off-cutter has still remained a mystery for batsmen.
The coaching staff also played their part well. Chandika Hathurusingha proved himself shrewd technician. He was well aided by Heath Streak. Finally, team spirt and a sense of harmony in the dressing room inspired each and every player to perform beyond their own capacities.
Athar Ali Khan said the right words to sum up this extraordinary year for Bangladesh cricket: Most definitely, 2015 has been the Year of the Tigers.
