Year 2014 was a year of ups and downs. A year of great hope and huge disappointment for Bangladesh cricket > Bangladesh hosted Asia Cup, World T20 , played an away series against West Indies and appeared in the home series against Zimbabwe. 

After a year of steady progress over year 2013 the year 2014 witnessed Bangladesh cricket sink low. The same group of players consistently performed well below their usual self. 

The downward slope started from home series against Sri Lanka in late 2013 and continued till West Indies tour. Losses at every format –test, ODI and T20 created credibility question for Bangladesh in full member status of ICC. The only will till start of Zimbabwean home series came only in T20s against lowly Afghanistan and Nepal. 

Indian Cricket God and living legend Sachin Tendulkar came to Bangladesh to a launching program of a local team. Various controversies also created embarrassment. ICC leading star Shakib Al Hasan was disciplined in a hurry for his alleged behavioral issues. The incident created huge controversy. 

Shakib fans took the matter to the street, media released various reports and comments for and against the action. General cricket admirers however condemned Shakib for his antics but also bitterly criticized BCB for hurriedly taken harsh actions. After creating hot disputes BCB however backed out and withdrew all actions against Shakib. 

Bangladesh finally came of its own at home series against Zimbabwe recording a comprehensive white wash in three tests and five ODI matches series. 

Shakib and the rest of the team performed admirably. Some new starts were born. Players like Taijul Islam, Arafat Sunny, Taskin Ahmed and Jubair Hossain appeared as players for the future with their demonstrated abilities of serving Bangladesh cricket in future. 

Some excellent milestone records were created. The success has already created great enthusiasm about the possibilities of the team in the ensuing ICC World Cup 2015 in Australia and New Zealand.

A controversial cricket official got punishment for his indecorous remarks against BCB President and top officials. From various corners controversies were labeled against poor umpiring and allegations of corruptions were raised against cricket officials. Domestic cricket continued to be neglected. 

he long term comprehensive planning and their implementations for general improvement of cricket standard remained a far cry.

What Actually Went Wrong?

It was surprising that same group of players in 2012 and 2013 performed so well. Bangladesh inflicted series white wash on strong touring New Zealand team twice. 

Bangladesh also outgunned Sri Lanka and India at Asia Cup and lost marginally to Pakistan in the finals. But the team started demonstrating lack of professionalism, commitment and will to fight from the home series against Sri Lanka in the late 2013 The team lost few close matches. 

Lot was expected of Bangladesh in Asia cup but it failed to repeat the glorious performance of the previous event loosing comfortably against all four opponents including Afghanistan .Following that Bangladesh performed very poorly in World T20. 

Their only wins were recorded against Afghanistan and Nepal. Controversies were raised against biased team selection, very poor team environment and behaviors of certain top players. Australian head coach returned home walking out of his contract showing personal reasons. 

Many suggested making internationally accredited Bangladeshi ex cricketer come qualified coach ACC development official Aminul Islam Bulbul for giving the responsibility of head coach. 

Bubul is doing excellent works for ACC in China, South Korea, Nepal, Kuwait and other ICC Associate member countries in Asia. BCB choose to ignore and opted for little known Sri Lankan coach Chandika Hatura Singhe. 

There has been various media reports on controversies and even corruptions against some members of BCB. There were reports about doubtful integrity and alleged financial scams. The reports of umpiring controversies appeared in the media. 

Some specific club belonging to top BCB officials reportedly got special favor in umpiring in domestic cricket. Some controversial umpires reportedly were made match officials in their games. 

With the world cup drawing close and local domestic cricket being the major yardstick of getting selected the favoritism in umpiring has reportedly given unfair advantage to the probable players playing for a special team. Many top ex cricketers, cricket officials, sports writers and general cricket enthusiast shared the views with this writer while in Dhaka over the last couple of weeks. 

BCB president Nazmul Hasan Papon MP agreed that a mafia group causes crisis off and on in Bangladesh Cricket. He also expressed his concern about poor umpiring in local media.

Some strong allegations were made against few top officials of BCB for alleged involvement in various types of financial irregularities .The bitterest allegations were made by a controversial club official. However, without dealing with the allegations BCB took strong actions against his seriously indecorous comments.

We find that the overall situation prevailing in Bangladesh cricket caused a sharp decline in cricket environment till Zimbabwean series at home. Whether some people would like it or not team chemistry in Bangladesh team became unhealthy .When dressing room cannot remain spontaneous, when players value issues other than cricket as their prime job these are bound to create adverse impacts on team performance. Exactly that happened. 

Indiscipline and audacity of some players created controversies. BCB actions against Shakib appeared a bit harsh. But BCB had to unleash at certain stage although BCB action caused further bleeding in team performance in the series at West Indies .Bangladesh without the top performer Shakib got white washed at all formats of the game . BCB reacted with relieving Mushfique from ODI leadership and bringing back inspirational fit again Mashrafee Murtaza for leading the Bangladesh charge in ODI. Ban on Shakib got lifted.

Bangladesh Turned Around against Zimbabwe:

After consistently inconsistent Bangladesh performance over the most of 2014 Bangladesh had its back to the wall when Zimbabwe came to tour Bangladesh .Before the series Bangladesh ranked 10th meaning at the bottom of ICC Test ranking and marginally 9th above Zimbabwe. 

The series became “Poor men’s Ashes “a do or die for both the teams. A new look Bangladesh playing true to their true potential earned comprehensive series white wash winning all three tests and five ODIs. Bangladesh improved its standing in ICC ranking in both test and ODI.

Several new players Anamul, Taijul, Arafat Sunny and Jubair Likhon as well as established stars Shakib, Mominul, Tamim, Mushfique, Mahamudullah, Mashrafee performed consistently. 

Several match winners were created. Bangladesh started advancing strongly for reaching a position of 8th or beyond. Though performance at low slow Bangladesh wickets against a not too strong team at home does not give assurance that Bangladesh can perform similarly against all opposition in different condition but success in international cricket always bring confidence and create impetus.

Bangladesh is getting ready for ICC World Cup. In a very strong group having hosts Australia and New Zealand and also England and Sri Lanka Bangladesh will require to play out of their skins to get into business round. Even associate member countries Afghanistan and Scotland have also prepared well in Australia New Zealand Condition. 

One only hopes that a team selected only on merit and performance and managed professionally will play to nations dream in the World cup. The successes of the tigers will be extended.

BDST: 0654 HRS, DEC 31, 2014