How I became a Lover of Bangladesh Cricket?

MohammedShamim · #1 February 29, 2016, 05:25 PM

I can’t recall what time it was, but I remember the face, Sir Mohammad Ashraful. It was tensed, I never knew cricket would be emotional, it was my first, watching Bangladesh on TV. You see, I turned the TV on at a crucial moment, the commentators were praising Ashraful and how Bangladesh can create a historic moment, it got me interested. I was fortunate that Bangladesh was playing a worthy game, that kept me interested, otherwise my affection for Bangladesh Cricket would have probably not taken off. Prior to this, I didn’t know any cricketers from Bangladesh, but from that game, I learnt about the captain (Bashar) and Aftab ahmed, he came in at a crucial moment, the moment that stuck to my memory even today.

What cricket match I am talking about? Of course its Bangladesh vs Australia in Cardiff, Saturday, June 18, 2005. I turned the TV on when Bangladesh was on 106/3 (RR 7.5+), not that I knew what it meant that time, I just watched, kept on saying, keep hitting… and I remember fondly listening to the commentators, it wasn’t an appreciation that Bangladesh can do it, it was more about Ashraful, and how the approach should be. But the tone started to change in 10 overs time, when BD was roaring near the target. I still remember that wonderful 100 by Mohammed Ashraful. My due respect goes to Ashraful, for such a great moment of creating history, for him, I have become a Bangladesh Fan, not only me, I am sure many started to follow Cricket for the legend of BD, I call Sir Mohammed Ashraful, my hero.

Now, that I got into Bangladesh cricket, I needed to find out more, started to search on google and came across Bangla Cricket. I was really young and kind of immature about cricket. You see, the victory gave me wonderful thoughts, excellent thrills, and now I started to believe, hey Bangladesh is good. Then came the reality. When I found out, we were not that great, I started posting aggressively, sometimes swearing players, asking to kick them out of the team, blaming performance on corruption, board, family lineage etc. this was all out of frustration, what I thought, was different to what the reality was. So, for the next 10 or so years, I kept on doing that, but never gave up! I did it out of love, knowing one day, maybe, just maybe things will work out. But to be honest, never knew it would be that good. The occasional victory back then felt like winning the world cup! It meant so much to me, I am sure many of us here felt the same. Now we are in 2016, and how things have changed? Please share your story! That one moment which made you follow Bangladesh?

Vepu · #2 February 29, 2016, 05:34 PM

Noob...

MohammedShamim · #3 February 29, 2016, 05:38 PM

How's your vision! I am taking help from something unseen tonight

Zeeshan · #4 February 29, 2016, 05:38 PM

If you have nothing nice or constructive to say, then don't.

MohammedShamim · #5 February 29, 2016, 05:42 PM

By the way I don't specialise on writing articles or journals! Just thought will give it a go.. And see what sort of story people have.. Anything passionate or emotional would be nice. I specialise in Data, not an expert though..

bujhee kom · #6 February 29, 2016, 06:00 PM

Beautifully expressed Shamim bhaiya. A genuine, candid recollection of your memory discovering Mohammad Ashraful and/or experiencing his blasting batting on tv for the first time. Those commentators' excited voice, the thrill of Ash taking the Australian bowling attack to the dry cleaners, I too can experience them now though your words. I truly appreciated it.

Padosan · #7 February 29, 2016, 07:46 PM

Nice Shamim, from the heart.

Not just you most of us, foreigners, started looking at BD cricket after that game

. If not all, at least i started following BD cricket after that Ashraful's innings. Still think Aftab had a lot of potential that he wasted.

Cheers !
Padosan

mufi_02 · #8 February 29, 2016, 08:47 PM

great read Shamim. you had me at Ashraful

RazabQ · #9 February 29, 2016, 09:05 PM

From the heart will never do you wrong when it comes to sport. Keep being a fan my bhai!

Banglaguy · #10 February 29, 2016, 09:30 PM

I remember watching Tamim hit a 50 in the first innings at the Lords test... The skill, temperament and execution was just perfect. To see a countryman toy around with some of the best bowlers in the world made me go la la la... I am still yet to miss a game of BD no matter what I'm doing!

ma_o_mati · #11 February 29, 2016, 10:00 PM

There r lot of new followers of bd team from 2007 wc era or post shakib era. I think their knowledge of bd cricket and its struggle isnt that vast.

If you follow cricket from our icc days when we use to lose to holland, kenya, scotland then you would truly appreciate the current joyous situation of bd cricket.

How many of new supporters know maurice odumbe or steve tikolo?

I mean i dont wanna sound like a old hag. I been following bd cricket since i was 12.

Thats y when ppl say drop tamim or drop soumya, they r the worst. Man do you have any idea how our old openers were? I mean no offense to yesteryear heroes.

But in a broader context, i m happy that i can give this lecture because bd cricket survived against all obstacles. Its because of fans like u nd me. New and old. Pass on the batton

aklemalp · #12 February 29, 2016, 10:16 PM

Where do I start?

Vepu · #13 March 1, 2016, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeeshan
If you have nothing nice or constructive to say, then don't.

We have a rivalry. You wont understand.

Night_wolf · #14 March 1, 2016, 12:18 AM

I fell in love in 1997 ICC trophy

Vepu · #15 March 1, 2016, 12:22 AM

My first memory was a loss to UAE and my dad and uncles literally crying out of frustration. I didnt know back then but we missed 96 WC because of that loss. I just didnt start watching cricket one day, I was born in a god damn cricket crazy family even when the nation was not much into cricket. So it is really hard for me to recollect my first experience. But I remember I learnt all umpiring signals even before starting school.

ma_o_mati · #16 March 1, 2016, 12:29 AM

U can love and feel the joyous moments of 2007 wc by beating india and south africa, Only if u hv endured the horror of 2003 wc. Oh, the horror of losing to canada, kenya. Though kenya made the semis.

Vepu · #17 March 1, 2016, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ma_o_mati
U can love and feel the joyous moments of 2007 wc by beating india and south africa, Only if u hv endured the horror of 2003 wc. Oh, the horror of losing to canada, kenya. Though kenya made the semis.

Losing to Canada night before Eid Ul Adha. Worst Eid ever. Didnt get much salami either because everyone was pissed

Habib · #18 March 1, 2016, 03:28 AM

Not much emotional story on my part though.I started to follow BD cricket seriously since Meril International Tournament in 1999. Since cricket was the only sports we competed on a international level, it was a no brainer to follow our cricket team. The win against Pakistan in 1999 WC felt awesome. But after that there were not many occasions to cheer about for a LONG time. I can now appreciate where we are at today.

BanglaNAus · #19 March 1, 2016, 05:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MohammedShamim
I can’t recall what time it was, but I remember the face, Sir Mohammad Ashraful. It was tensed, I never knew cricket would be emotional, it was my first, watching Bangladesh on TV. You see, I turned the TV on at a crucial moment, the commentators were praising Ashraful and how Bangladesh can create a historic moment, it got me interested. I was fortunate that Bangladesh was playing a worthy game, that kept me interested, otherwise my affection for Bangladesh Cricket would have probably not taken off. Prior to this, I didn’t know any cricketers from Bangladesh, but from that game, I learnt about the captain (Bashar) and Aftab ahmed, he came in at a crucial moment, the moment that stuck to my memory even today.

What cricket match I am talking about? Of course its Bangladesh vs Australia in Cardiff, Saturday, June 18, 2005. I turned the TV on when Bangladesh was on 106/3 (RR 7.5+), not that I knew what it meant that time, I just watched, kept on saying, keep hitting… and I remember fondly listening to the commentators, it wasn’t an appreciation that Bangladesh can do it, it was more about Ashraful, and how the approach should be. But the tone started to change in 10 overs time, when BD was roaring near the target. I still remember that wonderful 100 by Mohammed Ashraful. My due respect goes to Ashraful, for such a great moment of creating history, for him, I have become a Bangladesh Fan, not only me, I am sure many started to follow Cricket for the legend of BD, I call Sir Mohammed Ashraful, my hero.

Now, that I got into Bangladesh cricket, I needed to find out more, started to search on google and came across Bangla Cricket. I was really young and kind of immature about cricket. You see, the victory gave me wonderful thoughts, excellent thrills, and now I started to believe, hey Bangladesh is good. Then came the reality. When I found out, we were not that great, I started posting aggressively, sometimes swearing players, asking to kick them out of the team, blaming performance on corruption, board, family lineage etc. this was all out of frustration, what I thought, was different to what the reality was. So, for the next 10 or so years, I kept on doing that, but never gave up! I did it out of love, knowing one day, maybe, just maybe things will work out. But to be honest, never knew it would be that good. The occasional victory back then felt like winning the world cup! It meant so much to me, I am sure many of us here felt the same. Now we are in 2016, and how things have changed? Please share your story! That one moment which made you follow Bangladesh?

Such talent......wasted tsk tsk

MohammedShamim · #20 March 1, 2016, 05:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BanglaNAus
Such talent......wasted tsk tsk

Sometimes you need good people around you to guide you. He took the burden of 160 million people alone! What he did is not solely based on money, rather lack of education, proper guidance, corrupt board members, and influencers! I am pretty sure, some of the Adminstrators knew what he was doing and they were behind win, as it also benefited them. Now we can leave this behind, we moved far, things changed! Let him serve his punishment and come back clean with performance.

MohammedShamim · #21 March 1, 2016, 05:53 AM

His got such talent that I believe before he retires he will break a world record.

BanglaNAus · #22 March 1, 2016, 05:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MohammedShamim
Sometimes you need good people around you to guide you. He took the burden of 160 million people alone! What he did is not solely based on money, rather lack of education, proper guidance, corrupt board members, and influencers! I am pretty sure, some of the Adminstrators knew what he was doing and they were behind win, as it also benefited them. Now we can leave this behind, we moved far, things changed! Let him serve his punishment and come back clean with performance.

Sham can he compete with the young players like soum,shabbir and das,guess we will have to find out