BanglaCricket Article

Even though Bangladesh has been my second favourite team for a while I was staunchly against the idea of allowing them to be admitted into test cricket because they were just not ready.

True enough they suffered a humiliating string of losses. As the losing streak grew longer I really began to wonder if the future generations of Bangladeshi cricket fans would be turned off by the sport forever. I sent Jagmohan Dalmiya a very strongly worded letter and said I held him responsible for the Bangladesh cricket team's humiliation. I am not sure whether he got it or not because he never responded.

Anyways, the arrival of Dav Whatmore signalled that a change was taking place when the cricket team toured Australia. The team may have lost by an innings in each game but they fought hard and made Australia work for their victories.

Bangladesh team at Sabina Park

The tour to Pakistan also resulted in a clean sweep for the Pakistani team in both tests and ODIs but with a little bit of luck Bangladesh may have won at least one test and one ODI. It was not meant to be but the Bangladeshi cricket team looked better and better with each game.

The England series was a huge disappointment because the team and its fans thought that after their brilliant show abroad they could turn the tables on England who are notoriously poor tourists. England have found a new steel under the leadership of Vaughn and they trounced what I thought was an overconfident Bangladeshi side.

It was back to the drawing board for Whatmore and what a marvellous improvement we have seen in the cricket team especially in the fundamental and mental aspects of the game. This was first proved in the tightly fought ODI series and then in the first test where Bangladesh not only got a first innings lead but also ground a very honorable draw and now in the second test with the team making West Indies sweat for every wicket. Some more sustained performances like this and pretty soon Bangladesh will be a force to be reckoned with in the none too distant future. I say they will qualify for the second of the 2007 World Cup.

Rajin Saleh, Habibul Bashar and Mohammaed Rafique are my favorite players for their incredible courage and fighting spirit.

Congratulations to the Bangladesh cricket fans on your team's fighting performances.