2015 will go down as the year of historic achievements for Bangladesh in international cricket. The talented team of gifted cricketers affectionately called Bengal Tigers earned many first time achievements making Bangladesh bigger and brighter among the sporting community of the world.

The year in cricket calendar commenced with Bangladesh qualifying for the first time for the quarter final of the 14 top nations ICC World Cup Cricket Tournament held in Australia and New Zealand .The year of international cricket assignment concluded with Tigers white washing Zimbabwe in bilateral ODI series .

In between Pakistan was white washed 3-0, India 2-1 and South Africa 2-1 in bilateral ODI series. The last three achievements were however the first such achievements of series win for Bangladesh Cricket team Australian cricket team postponed its scheduled visit to Bangladesh for playing tests on the plea of security concerns. The Zimbabwean national team visited Bangladesh only a few weeks later. There were no incidents of insecurity.

Several foreign players played very safely in BPL 2015 proving the invalidity of the security concerns of Australian Government. Cricket in Bangladesh became the symbol of national unity. In multiply divided society Cricket acted as the uniting force of people of all ages, religion, sex, cast and creed. No other single sports or anything else could bring the entire nation together. This write up will attempt reviewing tiger’s achievement in cricket in 2015.

Cricket in Bangladesh was looking down the barrels in 2014. Tigers were losing matches after matches in all formats of the game .People were raining questions about the credibility of the team remaining in the elite group of ICC test playing nations. Few scandals and top players suspensions brought the morale of the team at low ebb. BCB desperately struck few changes.

National captain Mushfiqur Rahim was relieved from the very challenging tasks of leading a non performing team in all formats of the game. Inspirational cricketer Mashrafee Bin Murtaza was tasked with the responsibility of leading the team in the shorter versions ODI and T20. Mushfique retained his leadership in test as injury prone Mashrafee was not fit to absorb the rigors of energy sapping test cricket.

Temperamental all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan’s suspension for attitude issues was reduced. Shakib was made deputy to Mashrafee and Tamim to Mushfique. Captain Mashrafee and head coach Chandika Haturasinghe rediscovered the spirits among the tigers with their positive and honest approaches .The chemistry of the team both on and off the field changed. Mashrafee injected will to win in every members heart and soul. Tigers started rocking and rolling.

The genesis of the new Bangladesh was the comprehensive series win over the visiting Zimbabweans in end 2014. Bangladesh won ODI series 5-0 and test series 3-0. Even after such massive win many were skeptical of Bangladesh turning around in 2015 as the first assignment was very challenging ICC world cup in down under. Tigers were in the group of death along with the co-hosts Australia and New Zealand. The other teams of the group were Srilanka, England, Afghanistan and Scotland. Bangladesh hardly played any cricket in Australia till then. The team was sent few weeks earlier to Australia to acclimatize with the conditions and environment.

World Cup Mission:

Brisbane was chosen as the base of the tigers where they went under rigorous preparation. But the tasks of turning around grew tougher as Bangladesh lost all four warm up matches leading to world cup. The first match against emerging Afghanistan at Manuka Oval Canberra became extremely important. 

Bangladesh won the very important opening match which changed the entire team. A new genius Soumya Sarakar was born. Captain courageous Mashrafee led from the front.

The very next match was against the host and ultimate champion Australia in Brisbane. Bangladesh required luck to go their way.

Perhaps the nature was a bit kind to sincere tigers as they managed to earn a very crucial point from a rained out encounter. Tigers appeared for the first time at Iconic MCG for playing against strong Sri Lanka. Off the field sad incident led to disputed suspension of young talented pace bowler Al Amin Hossain on disciplinary .He was sent home before the MCG match and was replaced with Shafiul Islam. Many thought Al Amin could be effective bowlers especially against left handers.

Watching Bangladesh appearing at MCG for the first time was a nostalgic memory .The event was made more appealing for Bangladeshis when Bangladesh Cricket Icon, their first test centurion Aminul Islam Bulbul was honored for walking the trophy into MCG before the match.

Bangladesh made few crucial fielding mistakes which led Sri Lanka putting up a huge target of over 300. Bangladesh lost wickets at regular interval in their chase and lost the match making its task extremely challenging to qualify for the next round. Bangladesh played the next two matches wonderfully well against Scotland and England. Cool and Composed Mahamudullah Riad scored back to back world cup centuries (first as Bangladeshis) and against England at Adelaide Rubel Hossain bowled an inspired spell to earn the all-important win that secured Bangladesh a place for the quarter final against India at MCG. Bangladesh also competed very well against New Zealand before going down fighting. Bangladeshis earned love and respect of cricket loving community of Australia and New Zealand.

The quarter finals at MCG against India created great enthusiasm among Bangladeshi Communality living in Australia and New Zealand. Bangladeshis from different countries also assembled in Melbourne. It was a festival for Bangladeshis at Federation Square the evening before the match. However the contest was spoiled through some controversial umpiring decisions all of which went against Bangladesh. The match which India won could be more competitive if at least four 50-50 decisions could go in favor of Bangladesh. Rohit Sharma was definitely out and Mahamudullah was possibly not out India won the game but Bangladesh won the hearts of cricket enthusiasts, injured tigers returned home with lots of confidence.

World Cup 2015 witnessed a new Bangladesh committed to play positive entertaining cricket. It announced proudly that maturing tigers were ready to prey anyone and everyone anywhere and everywhere. A new talent Soumya Sarkar was launched. Taskin, Rubel along with Mashrafee bowled exceddingly well on pacey Australian wickets. Mahmuldullah and Mushfiqur Rahim proved their class as a consistent batsman. Shabbir and Nasir batted well and fielded brilliantly.

Dream Journey in Home Series

Pakis were Blown Away:

The sequence of series wins that followed the world cup changed Bangladesh completely in 2015. Pakistan found a very difficult Bangladesh team oozing with confidence when the visited Bangladesh immediately after the world cup. Bangladesh won both T20 matches and white washed Pakistan in the three matches ODI series. Bangladesh seven drew the Chittagong Test creating history. Tamim and Kayes batted superbly in the second innings creating new milestones.

The win in the last test at Dhaka was the saving grace for strong Misbah squad which saved their face. However, winning the ODI series 3-0 Bangladesh embarked on the course for qualifying for the ICC world Cup 2019 which required Bangladesh to stay with the top eight of ICC ODI ranking. All key players performed but special mention must be made about Soumya Sarjar  who was out standing in ODI.

Tamim, Imrul Kayes and Shakib were very impressive.  The series was extremely satisfying as Bangladesh for reasons unknown were failing to win matches against Pakistan in bilateral contests even after running them close on few occasions before. The only win till then was the famous world cup victory in England.

Taming of the Indians

Many Bangladeshis felt that they were robbed at MCG in their quarter finals against India at MCG. The opportunity came to redeem soon when Indian team very reluctantly came to visit Bangladesh in full monsoon. After the only test at Fatullah being rain out high flying India had the shock and awe of being crash landing by the boy wonder Cutter Mustafiz. He alone destroyed Indian pride taking 13 wickets in three ODIs of which 6 +5 = 11 were taken in the first two ODIs that Bangladesh won. A 19 years old lean and lanky boy of remote village of Shatkhira bordering India remained mystery to Kohli, Sharma , Raina and Dhoni. Winning the series 2-1 Bangladesh brightened its prospect for playing in the ICC Champions trophy. Bangladesh won its first bilateral ODI series against India. Mashrafee marshaled his resources wonderfully well.

Even The South Africans Were Conquered:

By this time world cricket recognized the emerging tigers. South Africans came to Bangladesh with wide reputation of a very strong all round team having extra ordinary success while touring. They won the two T20 matches easily. It appeared that the successes of Bangladesh team might have stalled. But Mashrafee inspired tiger squad turned around in ODI. Again magician Mustafiz caused tremor among proteans. His slow cutter mystery could not be decoded. Bangladesh won the series 2-1.

Australia Postponing the Test Series:

The much talked about Australian Cricket teams visit to Bangladesh was postponed indefinitely following Australin Government influencing CA not sending the team for security concerns. Bangladesh assured VVIP security protection. Still Australian Government was not convinced. Few thought after Ashes debacle and injuries to key players Australia with depleted team was reluctant in sending team to Bangladesh for fears of embarrassment .Bangladesh proved that the threats were not real as Zimbabwean team visited Bangladesh without any incident .Even Australian Soccer team played at Dhaka in November . Several foreign players played for safely for different franchise in the BPL 2015.

Zimabawe Filled In:

Rejuvenated new Bangladesh appeared too strong for struggling Zimbabweans in the hurriedly arranged bilateral series. The ODI was easily won 3-0 .But the visitors had a consolation win in the T20 series 1-1.However; the series proved that Bangladesh is a safe place for playing cricket. The worries and apprehensions of Australians and South Africans were unrealistic.

BPL 2015

BCB organized third version of BPL T20 tournament of 6 franchises had mixed successes. Top players of major test playing countries could not feature in the tournament for international commitments. Still some impact players like Chris Gayle, Kumara Sangkkara, Shahid Afridi, Daren Sammy, Marlon Samuels, Mohammad Amir, Tillekaratne Dilshan Participated. Unfenced teams Mashrafee led Comilla Victorians and Mahamudullah led Barisal Bulls played the hardly contested in the final. Mashrafee led his team to victory.

It was his third in three appearances that he lifted the trophy. BPL 3 witnessed the emergence of brilliant left arm pacer Abu Haidar Ronny and further maturing of Mustafizur Rahman and al Amin Hossain. Tamim, Kayes, Mahamudullah, Mushfique and Shabbir batted well. But Soumya, Liton, Mominul, Anamul Huq, Taskin, Rubel  and Rony Talukdar struggled. There were few controversies. But overall it was successful in the sense that ahead of Asia Cup (to be played in T20 format) and World T20 it gave exposure to Bangladeshi players to cricket of international flavor.

High Points:

Bangladesh has won four consecutive bilateral series against teams like Pakistan, India, South Africa and Zimbabwe at home in 2015. If the series win against Zimbabwe in late 2014 is taken into account Bangladesh won the last five ODI series at home. We may also add the world cup success of qualifying for the quarter finals ahead of favorite England. Bangladesh elevated its position to number 7 among the elite group of 10 in ICC ODI ranking qualifying for ICC Champions trophy. Rest of the world has now started realizing that the occasional successes of Bangladesh in cricket are no longer flashes in the pan. The team now has genuine quality and characters.

A virtually unknown Mustafiz has stormed into world cricket arena. His 9 matches 27 wickets has earned him a place in the best ODI XI of 2015. Mashrafee has earned the reputation as one of the most successful captain. Shakib Al Hasan maintained his reputation as the top all-rounder in all formats. Tamim continues merrily in master blaster mode of aggressive batting. Shabbir and Nasir are getting matured. Some quality new pace bowlers the likes of Abu Haidar Rony and Al Amin Hossain are emerging.

Bangladesh will very soon be in a sweet dilemma of choosing players from a plenty. Mashrafee and the think tank may require extensive brain storming in choosing a pace battery from among Mustafiz, Taskin, Rubel, Al Amin, Abu Haidar, Shahid and Shafiul. There will be similar challenges in choosing spin bowling partners for Shakib as Arafat Sunny, Taizul, Musharraf Rubel, Jubair and Saqlain Sajib all looking well. Mahamudullah and Nasir are there as all-rounders alongside of Shakib.

Low Points:

Some unwarranted controversies were low points in 2015 .The mystery behind Al Amin sent back from world cup remained unexplored . The absence of the player definitely had some impacts on his performance for a while. Fortunately he bounced back and now looks in prime form. Controversies in BPL 2015 spoiled the attractions. The owner of a franchise gate crashing with his followers on the very first day remained unaccounted for. Why Tamim was abused by a team owner over a player dispute? What actually happened in the toss of Dhaka Dynamites vs Barisal Bulls match? Why Bangladesh Cricket Icon Roquibul behaved so aggressively in a TV interview? Has he been given required opportunity in defending his position?

Looking Ahead:

One must not expect that the success will be sustained all the way. Cricket admirers must be ready for the reverse as well. Year 2016 for Bangladesh will start with Asia Cup at home .It will be played in T20 format for the first time. Three very strong T20 teams Sri Lanka, India and Pakistan will be major contenders. Afghanistan is also no mug in T20. Bangladesh will have to play out of their skin to prove competitive. It can even win the trophy if it plays consistently well to its potential. Then the real challenge would come in the world T20 in India for which Bangladesh will have to first qualify and then appear in the group of death where Australia, India, New Zealand and Pakistan will be there. There will hardly any time in between. Moreover, four key players Shakib, Tamim, Mushfique and Mustafiz will be busy in PCL. World will watch how Bangladesh performs away from home Especially in India.

We have every reason to take pride for our wonderful year 2015 in cricket and have every reason to remain optimistic for 2016.

BDST: 1023 HRS, DEC 27, 2015
AKA