In only matter of months cricket in Bangladesh has witnessed a great paradigm shift. The ascending to higher level that started from the end last year with the comprehensive series win against low rated Zimbabwe has reached to such an epic level that Bangladesh is eying even a test series win against the South Africa the ICC top ranked team in test. Bangladesh has already white washed Pakistan in ODI series, beat India and South Africa by identical margin of 2-1. It earned a highly creditable draw against Pakistan in Chittagong test (few world records were created), ruled the roost for the most part of the drawn Chittagong test against South Africa. Now they are equal favorite with South Africa in the series deciding second test scheduled to start next Thursday 30 July.

The success of Bangladesh is in not only at national team level. The under 19 team of tiger cabs have won the ODI series against the current champions 5-2 playing away from home after winning the home series 6-1. They are now among the favorites for winning the Under 19 world cup scheduled for Bangladesh in 2016. Even the Bangladesh eves; wheel chair cricketers achieved successes in international level.

The team chemistry and body languages have completely changed for the better. Bangladesh in cricket does no longer look down the barrel. It is no longer rank outsider in any contest. People around the world admire and applauds the success.

Success keeps on breeding success. No team of the world will dare considering Bangladesh minnows any longer. Even Cricket Australia has started thinking about its test series in Bangladesh seriously.

It is no longer a team of Shakib, Tamim and Mushfique only. The team is winning matches even with little or no contribution from the premiere players. Bangladesh is no longer a team that puts opposition through slow low wickets and stifles them with several spinners. It now possesses quality all round bowling attack, very aggressive batting talents, and fearless emerging new comers.

World admires and adores the brilliant all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan. Super Shakib carried Bangladesh to a greater height being the ICC top ranked all-rounder across all formats. No international cricketer has achieved this. Many people told this writer in Kabul, Dubai, Doha, Dares Salam, Nairobi, Cairo, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Canberra that “You are originally from Bangladesh from the land of Shakib Al Hasan”. Watching him playing with great honor for Melbourne Renegades in KFC big bash gives us lot of pride, makes our heart full of joy.

Several records and milestones were also established over this period by the tweeting tigers. The latest of this is the record that the teenage tornado Mustafiz created. He became the first cricketer winning the man of the match on debut in ODI and Test. The opponents were no lesser teams. It was India against which he won ODI man of the match and South Africa he won in test. His comet like arrival at international stage has changed the dynamics of Bangladesh cricket.

Another boy of exceptional talent has also emerged in Soumya Sarkar whose brilliant batting in ODI cricket has not only won matches against major oppositions but also created issues where to play him in a settled test team. He kept on winning matches single handedly against major opposition. He cannot be kept out too long .Seniors in the team are in great challenge for holding their position.

Such is the wealth of talent that, brilliant all-rounder like Nasir Hossain cannot find a place in the test playing eleven. Brilliant batsman Sabbir cannot even be in test squad.  Such is the case with Anamul Hoq Bijoy, Rony Talukdar, Sohag Gazi, and Abdur Razzak.

Suddenly Bangladesh bowling attack in test appears strong enough in taking 20 test wickets of even that of South Africa. This is the situation when Rubel is not in the side and Taskin is nursing his injury.

Several teenager talents like Pinak Ghosh, Joiraj Sheikh, and Mehedi Hasan Miraj are already looking good for international debut for the senior side An unending resource of quality cricketers have been created in the pipeline to secure Bangladesh cricket into considerable future.

What made these all happen? Only a year and a half back Bangladesh was struggling in all format of international cricket.

The selection of coaching staff Chandrika Haturasinghe and Heath Streak must now be given credit. They have given the confidence in the team, self-belief and fearless attitude. The talents were always there, passion was always in plenty, but the attitude and temperaments were missing.

Another great decision was sharing responsibility of leadership between Mushfiqur Rahim and Mashrafe Bin Mortaza. It is not that Musfiqur is a weak leader. He must be credit for his brave performance in leading underdog team in all formats in the most difficult period.

Mashrafe is an ideal personality whose presence ignites the best of his mates. His injury-impacted career itself is a symbol of courage, commitment and dedication. His strong will oozes the best of everyone around him. We saw how eager he was for winning every match in ICC World Cup? How bad and deprived he felt after Bangladesh lost the quarterfinal against India at MCG in controversial manner?

Many players like Shane Bond, Ryan Harris left international cricket at their peak after one or two major surgeries. Mashrafe has more than half a dozen and still he is running at full steam , bowling well within himself , diving full stretch in taking spectacular catches, leading the front.

Mashrafe can be the ideal model for “Fortune favors the brave” sculpture. Bangladesh won ODI series against Zimbabwe, Pakistan, India and South Africa under his leadership. I am not sure even Australia would have returned unscratched if the October Schedule included ODI matches?

 How eloquently he said.” We are only entertainers, we are not the heroes. We have not sacrificed anything. The real heroes are the valiant freedom fighters who pledged their lives for earning us the liberation”. Mashrafe will be always remembered for leading the Renaissance of Bangladesh cricket.

The changing paradigm in Bangladesh Cricket has raised hopes and aspirations of the entire nation. The “Can Do” attitude of our brilliant cricketers have started transcending at other areas of national life. Cricket has brought the entire nation on one platform, which nothing else could do. The nation stands solidly behind the tigers in thick and thin.

Cricket has created great enthusiasm among innovative younger generation. Political leadership is trying to behave more responsibly. The nation is approaching with great energy for achieving its vision 2021.

Cricket team symbolizes how able leadership, right team selection purely on merit, choosing horses for the courses can change the dynamics. The fertile land of Bangladesh not only produces bumper crops by the innovative farming community it produces cricketers who creates world records. We are sure many heroes like Mashrafe, Shakib, Tamim and Mushfique are waiting to be explored. Who knew Soumya Sarkar only a few months before? How did teenage Mustafiz created history? 

We are sure our brilliant Cricketer Friend martyred freedom fighter Jewel’s soul is now in peace watching Bangladesh earning glories in cricket the game he liked to play and would have played for Bangladesh for sure if he survived the liberation war.

Success creates success. It also raises the expectations all around. It will be almost impossible to continue winning like this forever. There will be high tide and low tide as natural phenomenon. But for achieving sustainability at higher level Bangladesh must take a fresh look at its cricket organizations, establishments. We must take lessons from cricket infrastructures of Australia and England. We must have strong structure of cricket at grass roots. School cricket, age group cricket must be given greater priorities. We must let boys play on sporting surfaces. At district and upazila level there must be enough cricket grounds with required modern facilities. Government alone cannot do it. These can be done Under PPP or by leading business houses.

Something like MCG can be built on the other side of Padma River Bridge. Cox’s Bazar and Sylhet can be ideal venues of future international cricket.

Many of our present day cricket heroes are products of BKSP. But for 160 million Bangladeshis one BKSP, one cricket academy is not enough. Mustafiz and Soumya are rare breed. If we have an organized mechanism for talent hunting and creating smooth bedding ground for natural talents Bangladesh will go ahead in creating sustainability of success in World Cricket that West Indies once achieved in the 1970s and 1980s and what Australia is enjoying for a long time. Sky is the limit for Bangladesh in cricket now.

BDST: 0827HRS, JULY 25, 2015
RS