Hyderabad, Deccan - That is where all it started (ODI # 1329)

Tigers_eye · #1 October 3, 2016, 01:23 PM

Looking back, that is where our first International ODI win was. We just had our 100th win in this format beating Afghanistan by 141 runs. Triple digit wins are no longer uncharted territory for us. Congratulations to BCB, players, fans!!!!

A little history lesson here. Bangladesh played their first ODI against Pakistan at Tyronne Fernando Stadium on March 31, 1986. Well at that time the stadium was known as Moratuwa Stadium (Sri Lanka). Needless to say, we had no clue and was happy go around to play the teams that we only dreamed to compete against. More like our Olympic teams go and participate. We were in awe just for making history. Our very own 1st ODI match. We lost by 7 wickets. Fast forward 12 years, 19 more matches we played in different tournaments (All against big guns - except two - Kenya) and lost in all of them. The closest loss was against Zimbabwe (got test status in 1992) by 48 runs (on 1997) and against India by 4 wickets (1998).

May 17th 1998. There was something different in the air in that fine Summer heat at Hyderabad. The hot sunrays were neutralized by the occasional sudden waft of breeze. God sent, I tell you. Three days before, we played our first match of the tri-series against India and lost. But this match felt different. 20 times before we took the field and always came up short. 12 long years is a loooooong time. Game against India on May 14th had big names. Names like Azaharuddin, Ganguly, Dravid didn't phase this team. Aminul Islam Bulbul's (stand in captain for Akram Khan) was ready to fight and led from the front - shot with a splendid 70, 4 different bowlers got an Indian wicket, Atahar Ali (yes, my best BD player back then) had a figure of 10-0-33-2 and of course he was the opener for BD as well. Khaled Mashud had three catches and India labored to 46th over to get a win. A Jadeja's game high 73 decided the match in their favor. So in the second match, Kenya, a fine team at that time, with some great players, knew that Bangladesh would fight tooth and nails. So the plot was set. We had lost two matches against them at Nairobi the year before, so we had the revenge factor going as well. We saw them as our rival.

Toss and first innings: (Bowling)
This was a day-night match. Kenya won the toss. Immediately took advantage and wanted to bat. BD players had to bowl and field under the scorching sun for a while. Captain Akram Khan was back and replaced Sanwar Hossain who got a duck in the first match opening. The lefty Morshed Ali Khan drew the first blood and removed the dangerous Otieno (the Kenyan Kaluwitharana) for 5. Khaled Mahmood SUJON, yup our Chacha, ever so put his name and bowled Steve Tikolo (Associate version of Viv Richards) and got the other opener run-out. Kenya three down in 19.2 overs with 84 runs on board. Then again he bowled Ravi Shah their highest scorer at 52. That is where Enamul Haque (now the umpire) and Mo Rafique (bossman before Shakib) imposed their will and got Kenya all out at 236 in 49 overs. This was a par score. Mo Rafique took 3 wickets and Enamul Hoque Moni took 2.

Second Innings: (Batting)
Since Sanwar was not there to open, Akram Khan sent Mo Rafique to open with Atahar Ali. This tactical move was one of most brilliant decision taken at that time. Pinch hitting wasn't that popular then. Otherwise we would have been kind of forced to expose Bulbul too early. Mo Rafique took the game to the Kenyans. A free flowing 77 of 87 balls. Opening stand of 137 in 26 overs. 11 4s and six. Job well done. Atahar missed his half century and was out at 47. Run out and so unfortunate. Nannu, Bulbul and Akram took us home. Kenyans bowled 23 wides and 7 no balls. (During those days there wasn't any free hit)

Result:
We won our first ODI comfortably by 6 wickets. Mo Rafique received the Man-of-the-Match award. Monkey off the back!!!!

The heroes of that day were: Atahar Ali, Mo Rafique, Minhajul Abedin Nannu, Aminul Islam Bulbul, Akram Khan*, Naimur Rahman Durjoy, Khaled Mashud Sujon, Khaled Mahmood Pilot, Enamul Hoque Moni, Morshed Ali Khan, and Hasibul Hossain Shanto.

That was the first of the 100 we have now. Each one is special for the players and fans. But that 1st one should be the most memorable one. Scorecard.

Our first Home win was against the Mighty Indians in December 26, 2004. That was our fifth win in our first 102 matches. The second half looks decent, doesn't it?

aklemalp · #2 October 3, 2016, 01:35 PM

Very well written Tiger_eyes buddy! It's should be on the front page....

I have no memory of this match even if I try to check the stats and scorecard...Getting a perspective from someone who actually is aware of the 1st win is definitely important,as much as the win is.

Coincidence or not that the 1st Man of the match for Bangladesh was a SLA...it was a preview of things to come and, furthermore, a nation sorta obsessed with Slow left arm bowlers of every make and kind...

Nice, Nice,...

Tigers_eye · #3 October 3, 2016, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklemalp
Very well written Tiger_eyes buddy! It's should be on the front page....

I have no memory of this match even if I try to check the stats and scorecard...Getting a perspective from someone who actually is aware of the 1st win is definitely important,as much as the win is.

Coincidence or not that the 1st Man of the match for Bangladesh was a SLA...it was a preview of things to come and, furthermore, a nation sorta obsessed with Slow left arm bowlers of every make and kind...

Nice, Nice,...

Thank you sir. You are too kind.

Mo Rafique is, was, and will be the original boss. He had set the bar so high for everyone to achieve it. Unfortunately he was sidelined for many years due to politics and missed many games.

1000 runs in Tests and ODIs and 100+ wickets in both format as well. In past BD standards, It is right next to the best of cricket. All this without much facilities, training.

aklemalp · #4 October 3, 2016, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tigers_eye
Thank you sir. You are too kind.

Mo Rafique is, was, and will be the original boss. He had set the bar so high for everyone to achieve it. Unfortunately he was sidelined for many years due to politics and missed many games.

1000 runs in Tests and ODIs and 100+ wickets in both format as well. In past BD standards, It is right next to the best of cricket. All this without much facilities, training.

You're welcome

His test century against West Indies is still vivid in my mind.

Tigers_eye · #5 October 4, 2016, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklemalp
You're welcome

His test century against West Indies is still vivid in my mind.

That was against the full WI squad and at WI. We drew that match on merit.

al Furqaan · #6 October 4, 2016, 04:17 PM

Nice summary of our historic wins. Should go on the front page which is barren these days.

aklemalp · #7 October 4, 2016, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by al Furqaan
Nice summary of our historic wins. ]Should go on the front page which is barren these days.

Fully agreed. Need some spice up on this forum!!!. We have to wake up Night_wolf bhai and the Magician, Jadukor.....Zeeshan is up there tooo....come on guys let's get it up on the front page.

MarufH · #8 October 4, 2016, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by al Furqaan
Nice summary of our historic wins. Should go on the front page which is barren these days.

+ vote

**Nasif** · #9 October 4, 2016, 09:11 PM

Tigers_eye · #10 October 5, 2016, 10:00 AM

Thanks guys!!! Don't know who the coach was back then.

Rifat · #11 October 5, 2016, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tigers_eye
Thanks guys!!! Don't know who the coach was back then.

Gordon Greenidge.

http://www.prothom-alo.com/sports/ar...25E0%25A6%25BF

Tigers_eye · #12 October 5, 2016, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rifat
Gordon Greenidge.

http://www.prothom-alo.com/sports/ar...25E0%25A6%25BF

Thank you.

Tigers_eye · #13 October 5, 2016, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nasif

আকরাম, আমিনুল, মেহরাবদের গুরু ছিলেন যখন। ফাইল ছবি

You got the picture.

Rifat · #14 October 5, 2016, 10:22 AM

Dav Whatmore, Gordon Greenich, Jamie Siddons, Richard McInnes I have massive respect for all of them. All of them played very very key roles in development of Bangladesh cricket to where it is today.

horizon · #15 October 6, 2016, 01:40 AM

Awesome piece! You're going back to the same Hyderabad next year to play India. Happy hunting Tigers!

Nadim · #16 October 6, 2016, 02:37 AM

Quality read TE da!!!

Shingara · #17 October 6, 2016, 03:00 AM

Wow, Rafique was an opener and scored 77 ? Just wow!

epitaph · #18 October 6, 2016, 12:30 PM

Nice read, T_E. Kudos.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rifat
Dav Whatmore, Gordon Greenich, Jamie Siddons, Richard McInnes I have massive respect for all of them. All of them played very very key roles in development of Bangladesh cricket to where it is today.

Lets not insult the others by comparing them to Siddons, who was poor.

**Nasif** · #19 October 8, 2016, 12:23 PM

Published

Quote:

On the occasion of Bangladesh's recent 100th ODI win, Mijanul Akbar remembers where it all started: "A little history lesson here. Bangladesh played their first ODI against Pakistan at Tyronne Fernando Stadium on March 31, 1986. Well, at that time the stadium was known as Moratuwa Stadium (Sri Lanka). Needless to say, we had no clue and was happy go around to play the teams that we only dreamed to compete against...."

Read article »

al-Sagar · #20 October 8, 2016, 12:40 PM

Muhammad rafiq and pilot has lead our tail in lots of recoveries... Shanto, saiful, tapas baisya..... used to hold the bat well.... And now our tail......

Rafique should be our tail end batting coach

aklemalp · #21 October 8, 2016, 01:17 PM

Thank you Nasif for putting up the article...beautifully written by our Tigers_eye.

A rare picture of the squad from way back when....

Go Tigerssssss!

Zeeshan · #22 October 8, 2016, 03:03 PM

Excellent!