In Feb 2006, Ricky Ponting flat out questioned Bangladesh's Test status.
http://www.espncricinfo.com/bdeshvau...ry/237538.html
Then they came to play a Test in Fatullah with a spin attack that was on paper their greatest of all time: Shane Warne and Stuart McGill. The pace attack? Some no-names like Brett Lee and Jason Gillespie. On day one Shahriar Nafees flogged that attack for a century. Then Mohammed Rafique did his thing with Enam & Mash chipping in. We took a first innings lead! We batted meh in the 2nd innings but still we took a Test match against all-dominating Australia to the 5th day and had them on the ropes while chasing a 300+ target. Then Mash chokes and drops the catch and Ponting takes 'em home with 3 wickets to spare.
Ponting eats his words. Australian media takes notice. Even Richie Benaud is impressed. Then we let Jason Gillespie score a double 100 and everyone goes "same old Bangladesh" and we are consigned to the minnow-heap again.
Dear Tigers, we have, through a vein of sustained performance, captured the cricketing world's attention. But as the saying goes "
সব ভাল যার শেষ ভাল". We HAVE to close out the series with a competitive Test draw or an outright win. Pakistan cricket team will come at us with everything they have. 5 days of gladiatorial battle awaits us and we MUST be the last one standing. Otherwise, trust me - everyone will again dismiss us. The haters are plenty. Now is the time to shut them up for good.