Bangladesh Cricket Team

Bangladesh Cricket Team or The Tigers as they are popularly known were considered to be minnows of the cricket world when they got their test playing status becoming the 10th test-playing nation. They played their 1st test against India at Dhaka. Their cricket administrative board BCB was established in 1972. Bangladesh slowly but steadily climbed the ladders of success to be recognized as a full member of the ICC with both ODI & Test status.

Bangladesh stunned the world this year by beating India to get to the 2nd round of this year’s ICC Cricket World Cup. Under the strict & methodical coaching of Dav Watmore, did they play to their true potential, but that also irregularly, with only upsets coming their way, but not solid, consistent performances. They were amazingly the youngest team in the competition with only 3 players above the age of 24. But that didn’t deter them for performing brilliantly as their young to youngest stars shone brightly. The 17 year old opener Tamim Iqbal, 19year old Sakib Al Hasan, Mughfiqur Rehamn etc. are some of the young stars. Their most talented player seems to be the 20-year-old Mohammad Ashraful, who was also appointed captain after their captain, Habibul Bashar left the job. Bangladesh also stunned the top ranked team, South Africa, by beating them handsomely with an array of unbelievable batting by Ashraful. Also the bowlers are very formidable as well with Mushrafe Mortaza causing ripples to India this year & also some big teams in the past. He also managed to become the leading ODI wicket taker in 2006. Bowlers like Syed Rasel, Tapas Baishya, Shahadat Hussain etc. also give great support to Mortaza. Now, among the experienced & senior players, Javed Omar, the opener is quite a steady batsman, the same can be said about their former captain Habibul Bashar. Mohammad Rafique is a seriously good spin bowler & even at his age, he can contribute a lot to the team.

But still, Bangladesh has not played to their potential, many may argue. Though they have caused a lot of upsets in the past by beating teams like India, Pakistan, Australia etc. they don’t show enough consistency to be considered a real threat to the big cricket playing nations. Though, in the under 19 ICC World Cup, they were considered the favorites because they have a very talented pool of players, they fell to the England under19 team; Anyways, as these points show, Bangladesh have a huge amount of potential for the future, and a lot of potential world class players in their team who are capable of becoming superstars in the future. But obviously, they have to show a lot of consistency in playing their cricket, as that’s one big thing that they lack & which should be maintained and nurtured so that they can become a serious contender in world cricket by 2010 as their planning under their watchful and vigilant eyes of their captain and coach.