Bangladesh find joy amid utter chaos in epic win

FE Team | Published: August 26, 2024 01:05:48

Bangladesh's Shadman Islam celebrates after their team's win at the end of the fifth and final day of the first Test against Pakistan at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi on Sunday — AFP

The political unrest in Bangladesh has, temporarily, left the country crippled. Just when it seemed Bangladesh has slumped to their lowest point, cricket has given them something to cheer for, in fact, plenty. Although their cricket has not quite grown as briskly as one expected it to, whatever small joys Bangladesh has had in sports, it's mostly because of cricket. Sunday (August 25) has added a new chapter in their history, report agencies.
Bangladesh have taken down Pakistan for the first time in their 14th meeting in Tests since 2001.
Bangladesh's redemption after 21 years
Back in 2003, Inzamam-ul-Haq had denied the Tigers a historic win in Multan with his epic 138-run knock under pressure. Mohammad Rafique's five-wicket haul was not good enough for Bangladesh to go past the finish line. 21 years later, they did not let another chance go begging.
While in Multan, Bangladesh had their noses ahead for most part, they came back in Rawalpindi with their backs to the wall. After the sorry state of affairs in the country coupled with Bangladesh's poor campaign in the T20 World Cup, it was tough to stay optimistic about their success in Pakistan.
But Najmul Shanto's men have given the country hope that Bangladesh can rise from adversity. If they can win the series, it would arguably be their greatest series triumph overseas in the history of Test cricket. Although there's still some way to go, the Tigers can dream, can manifest a series win.
Yet another platform for Bangladesh
Back in 1999, Bangladesh got the better of Pakistan in the ODI World Cup. The Tigers, then led by Aminul Islam Bulbul, managed to triumph over a team that had the likes of Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Saqlain Mushtaq, Saeed Anwar and Shahid Afridi. Khaled Mahmud Sujon was short in stature, but he punched above his weight to win the Player of the Match award.
It marked the beginning to their cricket as in 2000, Bangladesh would go on to get Test status. They have had their fair share of ups and downs since then, as the senior team is yet to win an ICC trophy. In no tournament, Bangladesh are being deemed as the favourites to emerge victorious.