2015 was glorious year for Bangladesh in international cricket .It was a year of achieving milestone successes. It started with outstanding performance in ICC World Cup qualifying for the first time for the quarterfinal and losing to India at MCG partly due to diabolic umpiring decisions.

Bangladesh white washed Pakistan in ODI and T20 series and then went on beating India and South Africa by identical margin of 2-1 in bilateral ODI series at home. The year ended with another whitewash of Zimbabwe in ODI series.

In recognition of his historic performance, five Bengal tigers for their outstanding performances are nominated for top honors in the respective fields for 2015.



A panel will select the best of the top four categories but the best emerging player will be selected from voting of the fans. We are not very sure whether Tamim and Mahmudullah would ultimately win the top honors though their performances were outstanding. But there exists excellent possibilities for Mashrafe and Mustafiz winning laurels in their respective categories.

Tamim played a wonderfully aggressive innings in a record setting opening partnership with Imrul Kayes against very strong Pakistan bowling attack in the Chittagong test.

Bangladesh was trailing by a huge deficit in the first innings. The brilliant double century of Tamim earned Bangladesh an honorable draw.

Mahmudullah scored two back to back centuries in the ICC world cup being the first and only Bangladeshi to do that. His innings against England at Adelaide oval was rated a significant achievement. He also scored century against New Zealand.

Rubel bowled a dream spell of fast bowling in the victory against England at Adelaide Oval.

The other captains who have been nominated alongside Mashrafe in his category are Virat Kohli, Alastair Cook, Misbah Ul Huq and Brendon McCullam.

Mashrafe is the only player and more specifically only pace bowler who continued playing cricket at international level defying his 7 major knee surgeries. Many such cricketers have retired after the first and second surgery.

Mashrafe unlike the other captains named in the category got a team looking down the barrel. Bangladesh in 2014 was in dismal shape losing matches after matches in all formats of international cricket. Few critics started criticizing Bangladesh presence in elite family of ICC.
 
Why Mashrafe should be judged the Best Captain in 2015?

Mashrafe’s leadership like a lifesaving drug pulled Bangladesh out of ICU. He took over the mantle from Mushfiqur Rahim in shorter versions of the game towards the end of 2014.

Mashrafe is person of grit, determination and never say die attitude. His presence creates catalytic impacts. Visiting Zimbabwe was comprehensively white washed.

Bangladesh went on the mission ICC world cup 2015 under his leadership to Australia New Zealand. In the group of death with Australia, New Zealand, England and Sri Lanka Bangladesh prospect was written off by most analysts. But Mashrafe with his exemplary leadership turned the tide.

Emerging Afghanistan was defeated in the first match. Bangladesh got the favor of the nature in the rained out match against Australia in Brisbane. They lost the match against strong Sri Lanka in their first appearance at MCG. But they won chasing a huge score against Scotland and then went on knocking out England in the historic match at Adelaide Oval.

Bangladesh compete admirably well against New Zealand in New Zealand which not even Australia or South Africa could do. Finally, some ordinary umpiring at MCG against India in the quarterfinal cost them the match causing heart bleeding.

Returning home as wounded tigers Mashrafe led tiger squad comprehensive white washed strong Pakistan in T20 and ODI series and won handsomely against India and South Africa in ODI series by identical margin of 2-1.

Finally, Bangladesh once again white washed Zimbabwe in ODI series. For a player like Mashrafe with his fragile body it was a huge achievement especially in consideration that Bangladesh was ranked well below all competitors except Zimbabwe in ICC ranking. A leader is as good as the team he/she leads.

Mashrafe not only leads by example but his inspiration turns out the best of everyone around him. He has a Midas touch, which turns every metal to gold. In that matter, he is well above the rest as captain. Alastair Cook has led England winning the Ashes. But he had much better team at his disposal.

Misbah led Pakistan to victories against strong oppositions in UAE. He also had very strong side at his disposal. Virat Kohli also led a much stronger Indian team and we know New Zealand is always a very difficult team to play against in their home condition.

Mashrafe had rebuilt from the ruins. Bangladesh under Mashrafe has beaten England, Pakistan and India. In our opinion, Mashrafe was by far the best captain in 2015.

Why Mustafiz Must Win Best Emerging Player Award?

Mustafiz is categorized in the best emerging cricketer group along with Simon Harmer ( South Africa), David Willie ( England), Mark Wood ( England ), Sam Billings ( England), Imad Wasim and Mukhter Ahmed ( Pakistan), Petr Nevil ( Australia ), Dusmanta Chameera ( Sri Lanka ) and Mitchell Santanar ( New Zealand) .

We are sure none other than Mustafiz has created sensation in international cricket of the above group of talented youngsters.

Tiny tiger Mustafiz was living in the farthest corner of Bangladesh in the remote village of Satkhira. The district is also very near to great mangrove forest Sundarbans the abode of Royal Bengal Tiger.

Very few person outside his known circle knew him before he was blooded against strong India. Mashrafe insisted on his inclusion in the first ODI. For the first time in an ODI match Bangladesh appeared with four pacers.

Mustafiz struck gold. His cleverly disguised slow cutter deceived batting maestros of Indian team. In his first two ODI, he achieved 11 wickets setting a new world record.

Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina and MS Dhoni failed to decode his mystery. He became instant hero. He single handedly destroyed Indian might. Bangladesh for the first time won the ODI series against full strength Indian team.

Mustafiz got 13 wickets in the series. He maintained his reputation in the following series against strong South Africa also in the series win. He is cricketer of rare breed and wonderful invention to world cricket. His boyish look and innocent way of celebrating wicket taking also attracted global attention.

He proved his quality in BPL 2015 as well. He impressed great Sangakkara. In his very first encounter with master blaster Chris Gayle, he foxed him with a clever Yorker. Sky is his limit and fortunately, he is under great leadership of caring Mashrafe in his maturing time.

For his acumen, Mustafiz was named ICC T20 best eleven in 2015 .He was also recruited for playing for Lahore franchise in PCL. But it is highly unlikely BCB will spare him to lessen the burden on his young shoulders. He is a thing of beauty and a precious treasure of Bangladesh Cricket.

The best emerging player will be selected from voting of cricket admirers. I am sure Bangladeshis from all over the world and true cricket lovers will vote for this freak genius.

BDST: 1002 HRS, JAN 10, 2016
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