With milestone successes in international cricket in 2015, Bengal Tigers (Bangladesh Cricket team affectionately called) rocked and rolled the Bangladesh at home and abroad, cricket glorified Bangladesh among the world nations.

It became the symbol of Bangladesh. It integrated Bangladeshis of all ages, sex, religious and political divide on one platform in cheering for their success.

A well-motivated Mashrafe-squad created cascading impact of can do attitude among the people in all spheres of life. People started believing in their abilities.

Bangladesh first qualified for the quarterfinal of the World Cup playing wonderful positive cricket. The debatable loss to India in the controversial MCG derby also earned cricket worldwide sympathy for the tigers.

Success in the World Cup created such a self-belief that Bangladesh subsequently, comprehensively whitewashed Pakistan in T20 and ODI series, won ODI series against India and South Africa.

It could be interesting to watch how Bangladesh performs against Australia in test. But in the excuse of security concern Australia cancelled the trip.

Tigers blew away Zimbabwe, which filled in. Bangladesh had wonderful year 2015 in cricket. Bangladesh grew bigger and brighter in the world map.

Last March 2015 when Bangladesh was performing admirably in World Cup Cricket, we were travelling in Queensland, NSW and Victoria with a high powered Bangladesh Energy & Power sector delegation.

We were visiting coalmines, coal fired power plant, Coal port and Coal Seam Gas Extraction and treatment facilities in the remote areas of Australian states. We were listening to ABC commentaries and whenever possible were watching the live commentaries on TV. Everywhere we went Bangladesh was talk of Australia.

The day Bangladesh played the all-important match against England at Adelaide Oval we were travelling to Tarong Power Plant in South East Queensland. We could even persuade English Australian bus driver to join the chorus for supporting the tigers.

At the last stage of the match, in a maxi Taki we were travelling to Mount Kuta for dinner. We had Chairman Petrobangla, present Energy Secretary, DG Power Cell, Dr Quamrul of Monash University and Dr Firoz of RMIT with us.

We were over the hill when Bangladesh knocked out England. We celebrated with dinner at a Turkish Restaurant at the South Bank. All Bangladeshis anywhere and everywhere were enthralled with joy.

Dr Quamrul was with me at MCG when Bangladesh played against Sri Lanka. The very sight of tigers appearing at iconic MCG, Bangladesh flag flying in the colosseum, Bangladesh Cricket Icon Aminul Islam walking the trophy into the ground and Bangladesh national anthem played before the match made us all nostalgic.

Truly Bangladesh community was outnumbered by the Sri Lankans in the ground but there were no dearth of enthusiasm of dancing and cheering tigers.

Bangladesh could not win mainly due to some fielding lapses. Bangladesh subsequently played superbly against Scotland and England, Bangladesh also played wonderfully well against New Zealand.

The series of fairy tale like success created euphoria among Bangladeshis. Suddenly farmers were farming well, workers in mills; factories were working with renewed enthusiasm, professionals rediscovered their energy.

Bangladesh was a changed nation in 2015.The body language of everyone everywhere changed. Some world-class young talents emerged from almost nowhere. Mustafiz and Soumya Sarkar had “Vini Vici Vidi” appearance.
Mustafiz created few rare world records in very first appeared. He was named among the best in the Cricinfo T20 team of 2015. His slow cutter created mystery.

Players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, MS Dhoni, Amla, de Kock failed to decode him. Later in BPL, he impressed great Shangakkara. He surprised master blaster Chris Gayle in the only ball he played.

Soumya played with Authority in World Cup and ODI series against all three major teams Pakistan, India and South Africa. Periscope stroke he invented became his brand.

Talented Al Amin rediscovered his exceptional quality in BPL. Another rare talent Abu Haidar Rony broke into Bangladesh Cricket in BPL.

Throughout 2015, Mashrafe demonstrated very strongly his rare breed as a cricketer, as a leader of exceptional quality. His inspirational leadership changed the entire team into a fighting unit with Never Say Die aptitude.

Mashrafe is a visionary leader. Yet he is non complacent. How eloquently he said, ‘The real heroes of Bangladesh are freedom fighters who committed their everything for winning us a country, a flag. We are mere entertainers.’

Mashrafe could foresee what may happen if young Mustafiz is allowed to appear for Lahore Franchise in PCL in UAE. He is a very rare talent; a freak genius. He is our best bet for winning more laurels at international level. His young shoulder may not be allowed to get burnt out too soon.

Moreover, T20 tournaments are not ideal breeding ground for young emerging talents. UAE and T20 tournaments are happy hunting grounds of match fixers.

Mustafiz is also too young to conduct himself in aggressive environment. We are with Mustafiz in not sending him to UAE for playing in PCL. He must be preserved with extreme care. He should also be appropriately compensated. Decision should be taken after reviewing his contract with franchise.

2015 brought unprecedented success. Year 2016 starts with several important T20 tournaments. Achieving success at international level in the elite group of ICC family is very difficult. But sustaining the success is more difficult.

There will be time when Bangladesh will not be winning as frequently as in 2015. But as long as Tigers conducts themselves well and commits for win that should be enough. Entire nation must stand beside and behind the tigers in the thick and thin.

Bangladesh must also start planning life after enigmatic leader Mashrafe. We need to keep the success going. We were very impressed with Mahmudullah leading his Barisal franchise in BPL. Would suggest Mashrafe handing over the mantle to mantle to Mahamudullah when such situation will eventually arise?

Mashrafe and his winning squad have set an example how to confront challenges and create hunger for winning success. If political leadership can take, a clue from Mashrafe Bangladesh will have all round successes everywhere. Cricket has already started changing Bangladesh.

BDST:  1026 HRS, JAN 9, 2016
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