When will Bangladesh start believing in themselves?

Another series, another loss. It was the same old story for Bangladesh as they were thrashed mercilessly by big brother Pakistan in the three-match ODI series.

And things are now beginning to reach a stage where Bangladesh cricket might soon make the tag of ‘a hopeless bunch’ their own. It might sound too rude, but the team has done little to justify the Test playing nation status handed to them a little over a decade back, ahead of the then more deserving Kenyans. Since then, it has been a tale of one downward curve. They may have tasted success against the struggling West Indians and have a decent record against fellow minnows Zimbabwe too. But, the incapability to rise above the ordinary has been ailing Bangladesh for just too long.

What’s even more disappointing is that the nation has never lacked talent. In fact, from Aminul Islam Bulbul to Tamim Iqbal, they have produced players with flair and natural ability in abundance. Yet, it has rarely translated into success at the international level, and there have been few if any signs of improvement in Bangladesh cricket over the years. Evidently, it has to be put down to lack of confidence and self-belief in their own ability. Why else would a player so exceedingly, and almost unfairly talented, like Mohammad Ashraful struggle to find a permanent place even in the Bangladesh team? He has been recalled to the Test squad for the nth time in his career (for the series against Pakistan), and it remains to be seen what he can make of it. For Bangladesh cricket and Ashraful’s own sake, it better be a successful return else both will plunge into deeper crisis.

Admittedly, Bangladesh does not have the best of facilities at their disposal. Also, unlike India, it is not a huge country where talent can be scouted in every corner. And, their cricket administration might also not be among the more organised ones. Even so, they only have to look as far as Sri Lanka for inspiration. The island nation, with exactly the same hurdles, overcame all of them, and is today among the top nations in world cricket. They still have a long way to go before being termed world-class, but their journey from 1984, their initiation into Test cricket, to present, has been nothing short of incredible. Again, it all boils down to belief. If a certain Arjuna Ranatunga did not have faith in his far from threatening army of men, they would never have scaled the highs of 1996. Tales of the burly Lankan captain instilling confidence in the team and making them feel good about themselves have become legendary. This attitude of theirs was reflected in the unabashed manner that Sanath Jayasuriya and Romesh Kaluwitharana went about decimating attacks at their peak. And while Bangladesh cannot be expected to emulate them, the least they can do is take inspiration from Lanka’s story.

As for improving their cricket, they have a few men of their own who are rather good themselves. Ashraful apart former skipper Shakib Al Hasan is among the best all-rounders in the world today, next only to Jacques Kallis and Shane Watson. It’s to Hasan’s credit that he has been performing exceedingly well so consistently despite his team’s constant below-par efforts. It would have been so easy for him to get frustrated and start under-performing himself. Others in the team need to take a leaf out of their former captain’s book. After all, the current squad comprises a rather decently gifted set of players. The likes of current leader Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah and Abdur Razzak have done enough at the international level to prove that they belong here. And, in recent times, the performances of rookies Elias Sunny and Nasir Hossain have given them hope. What is needed though is a combined effort so that individual glory can translate into team success.

By: The Pinch Hunter

Ever since The Pinch Hitter was introduced to cricket at the age of nine, he fell in love with the gentleman’s game. While his desire to take up the sport professionally remained unfulfilled, he substituted the bat with the pen. And since 2003, he has been commenting on the sport for various magazines, websites, enjoying every moment of it. With ‘Over the top’ he hopes to continue enlightening and enlivening ‘cricket companions’ the write way.