Right from its inception, Asia Cup has failed gain any context. So much so that hardly people remember who the defending Asian Champions were. After having the World Cup, the Champions Trophy and the so many tri-nation tournaments, the Asia Cup tends to loose its meaning. For Bangladesh though, this edition of Asia Cup would be very important. They need to prove that they can compete with the rest of the cricketing giants. They have always been the team which show a lot of promise. Unfortunately, they have failed to translate the promise into anything substantial. They have been the team who show a a spark, but it dozes off rather quickly.
Bangladesh have produced some really talented individual performers over the years. Mohammad Ashraful is one of them. With his talent he should have been among the very best in world cricket. But on the contrary his record is quite ordinary to say the least. Tamim Iqbal is another real talent who has the potential to be a world class batsman. Sakib-al-Hasan is without doubt one of the most promising young all-rounders in world cricket. He is spinning all-rounder, which is a rare breed. Despite having these really talented bunch of guys the Bangladesh cricket team more often than not have been a disappointing unit. Sometimes, they make you feel they lack ability as team, on the other occasions they make you feel despite great ability it is the lack of temperament which has hindered their growth over the years.
Bangladesh, though is really important to world cricket- one of the reasons why they have so many well wishers. When they play at their best (which unfortunately is rather rare), it is very unique brand of fearless cricket they exhibit. They have their own style of playing the game which adds to the diversity in the cricket playing world. They are one of the best teams to watch when they play at their best. Bangladesh also bring back left arm-spin to cricket, a skill which is almost lost in the rest of the world (Barring Vettori). Bangladesh somehow keep producing these left-arm spinners. Unlike the left-arm tweakers all over the world whose main aim is to contain, the Bangladeshi left-armers have always been the prime weapon for their captain to take wickets.
The following and passion for the game in Bangladesh is refreshing. People in Bangladesh love their cricket. Celebrations on the streets after every win by their team is a reflection of the love for the game in the country. Despite the continuous losses, fans have always turned up in huge numbers to support their team. Environment when they play well is electrifying inside the stadiums. Surely the Bangladeshi fans deserve a much better team. Bangladesh has the potential to become one of the best places to play the game.
Unfortunately, one must say that Bangladesh have not done justice to all the support they have received. They cannot remain a team which gives other established cricket playing nations a scare every 10 games (and the scare comes only when they play at home). From a minnow status, it is very good stage to reach. But Bangladesh have stayed there for far too long. Though, they have developed a good difference between themselves and other minnows, but now it is about time they start competing in actual terms in all the other nations. The truth though is even today, any recognized team that plays Bangladesh would still start as favorites and a Bangladesh win still an upset. That is quite sad for Bangladesh cricket.
Next step for them is to be a team, which are favorites at home and should compete with even terms abroad. I envision Bangladesh winning the World Cup 2019. That should be the aim with which they should work now. They cannot afford to consider themselves underdogs who are their to just give good fight. Now, they should be above that - a team that is here to win.
Bangladesh have produced some really talented individual performers over the years. Mohammad Ashraful is one of them. With his talent he should have been among the very best in world cricket. But on the contrary his record is quite ordinary to say the least. Tamim Iqbal is another real talent who has the potential to be a world class batsman. Sakib-al-Hasan is without doubt one of the most promising young all-rounders in world cricket. He is spinning all-rounder, which is a rare breed. Despite having these really talented bunch of guys the Bangladesh cricket team more often than not have been a disappointing unit. Sometimes, they make you feel they lack ability as team, on the other occasions they make you feel despite great ability it is the lack of temperament which has hindered their growth over the years.
 |
| Ashraful, a great talent! But a real under-performer |
Bangladesh, though is really important to world cricket- one of the reasons why they have so many well wishers. When they play at their best (which unfortunately is rather rare), it is very unique brand of fearless cricket they exhibit. They have their own style of playing the game which adds to the diversity in the cricket playing world. They are one of the best teams to watch when they play at their best. Bangladesh also bring back left arm-spin to cricket, a skill which is almost lost in the rest of the world (Barring Vettori). Bangladesh somehow keep producing these left-arm spinners. Unlike the left-arm tweakers all over the world whose main aim is to contain, the Bangladeshi left-armers have always been the prime weapon for their captain to take wickets.
 |
| Bangladesh Cricket: A delight to watch, when on song |
The following and passion for the game in Bangladesh is refreshing. People in Bangladesh love their cricket. Celebrations on the streets after every win by their team is a reflection of the love for the game in the country. Despite the continuous losses, fans have always turned up in huge numbers to support their team. Environment when they play well is electrifying inside the stadiums. Surely the Bangladeshi fans deserve a much better team. Bangladesh has the potential to become one of the best places to play the game.
Unfortunately, one must say that Bangladesh have not done justice to all the support they have received. They cannot remain a team which gives other established cricket playing nations a scare every 10 games (and the scare comes only when they play at home). From a minnow status, it is very good stage to reach. But Bangladesh have stayed there for far too long. Though, they have developed a good difference between themselves and other minnows, but now it is about time they start competing in actual terms in all the other nations. The truth though is even today, any recognized team that plays Bangladesh would still start as favorites and a Bangladesh win still an upset. That is quite sad for Bangladesh cricket.
Next step for them is to be a team, which are favorites at home and should compete with even terms abroad. I envision Bangladesh winning the World Cup 2019. That should be the aim with which they should work now. They cannot afford to consider themselves underdogs who are their to just give good fight. Now, they should be above that - a team that is here to win.
No comments:
Post a Comment