pagol island bhai:
I agree with your observations. Getting positive results out of a group of Bangladeshis is an enormous challenge in any area, not just cricket. The lack of self-confidence is only one aspect.
Unfortunately there are several other even more vicious traits that get in the way. One is jealousy over someone else's successes. Then how about the one where people are lazy, hate to do anything positive, but try their best to pull down anyone else who is putting forth an effort. An example from growing up in Dhaka. We had an American guy who rented a house across from us in Dhaka. Well, people would dump trash in the streets or the adjacent lake instead of bothering to walk down to the garbage dump halfway down the block. So this American took it upon himself to put on a lungi, get a kodal and go dig up some trash that was blocking access to the lake. Instead of helping him (or sending their numerous servants to his aid), the learned and educated people in the block would only laugh and in fact throw more trash later on. I left for college, so am not sure who eventually won the battle but my guess is he didn't.
Another is an infinite amount of mattobori - "I know best" attitude, which makes it hard to take anyone else's opinions, feedback etc. The cricket team seems to be doing well in this regard after Whatmore arrived, but I can imagine many players will struggle when coaches tell thim to change this or that esp. if they are "senior bhais".
One more from society at large that can affect the cricket team. The cricket players are only so many and now have had success and are adored by all. This can really get to their heads and from time to time we see arrogance which leads to bad habits, loss of form, poor performance, etc. I find similar examples in society where only so many people (unfortunately such a small percentage in absolute terms) have a house in Gulshan, an industry obtained via legal/illegal means, an American education at a top school, a kid in one of those fancy schools in Dhaka or Chittagong, a Humvee or whatever the status symbols, I name only a few.
Ever heard of the big-headed Bangali making much ado over nothing? My favorite story was the lady in Dhaka who asked me one summer day where I worked in the US. It turns out her daughter and I both worked for a v. large well known international firm. We had two offices in Washington DC, one in the city and one across the river in Virginia. I had recently moved within the company and thus moved offices from the downtown location to the across-the-river Virginia location. "Hmmm" she concluded, "well my daughter works in the downtown office, she never mentioned there is another office in DC" - satisfied that somehow her child had done "better" due to this prestigous downtown Washington DC workplace.
Pagol island bhai, amra shobai pagol and we all live on our own little islands. I guess you were only talking about self-confidence when it comes to cricket, but I couldn't help but comment that we could achieve a whole lot more not only with more confidence but also with more common purpose and humility.
I salute you for making your point!
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