bangladeshi renaissance (sp???)

[al Furqaan]

since the WC 2003 debacle, we got whatmore and a new bangladesh team. since then we have had ups and downs. Perhaps someone can make a graph of what im about to say later on...i dont know how to make graphs...actually i just remembered a way but i have to be at school.

On a scale of 1-100, 1 being worst, 100, the highest, here are my opinions of where Bangladesh has been since the "renaissance." our goal is to reach 100 points which i will equate with our full potential, the level of full equality with other test nations.

May/June 2003: Genesis

after world cup, after India/South africa tri series, after SA test series. total disarray before and including whatmore's arrival: 2 points

August 2003: @ Australia

1st innings, second test started a string of heavily improved batting, 295 runs in 90+ overs

level up 10 points, total 12 points

September 2003: @ Pakistan

securing back to back first innings leads, emmergence of rajin saleh, nearly an ODI and test win, level up 20 points, total: 32 points

October 2003: vs England

a bit of a dip (poor top order batting), but still pushes england to bat both innings in tests, enamul jr. impresses, nafis' debut. level down 5 points, total: 27 points

Feb/March 2004: @ Zimbabwe

re-birth of ash alone is huge, emergence of rana, first ODI win in a while, one good test innings T1, I1, horrible collapse in rain shortened 2nd test. level up 10 points, total: 37 points

June 2004: @ West Indies

416, solid performaces in ODIs, Tapash on fire, level up 12 points, total: 49 points

July 2004: Asia Cup

win over HK despite poor batting, poor top order batting throughout tourney, emergence of razzaq raj, level down 12 points, total 37 points

Sept 2004: Champs Trophy

poor play all around except nazmul, nafis, and aftab, level down 8 points, total: 29 points

Oct 2004: vs New Zealand

tail end batting continues to impress, nazmul and aftab impress with ball, level down 5 points, total: 24 points


Dec 2004: vs India

ashraful and masri put on a show, tapash seems to find his rhythm as well, batting in ODIs seems to find its flow as well, dropped catches remains a concern, level up 10 points, total: 34 points