Column: Bangladesh’s rise good for the game

Bangladesh have made it loud and clear that there are here to be counted by one and all.

Bangladesh, the rising stars of the cricketing world, have finally come of age. They have definitely removed the tag of minnows by beating two former World Champions in a span of two months.

The team looks as good an ODI side as the other elite Test playing nations. They have an all-win record in their last four matches since losing the controversial World Cup quarterfinal to India in Australia.

The Tigers are in roaring form, which was evident on Thursday night when they devoured mighty neighbours India for a 79-run win. This was after a 3-0 whitewash of another Asian giants Pakistan two months ago.

Following their World Cup campaign, the Bangladesh team looks different with a high level of self-belief and determination. More importantly younger players are stepping up with hunger that will take them a long way.

Mustafizur Rahman is the latest youngster to make an impressive debut for Bangladesh. His five-wicket haul was result of an intelligent bowling rather clocking up 140+ kmph sped.

The young paceman used off-cutters to a great effect along with rising deliveries on a slower track to cramp batsmen. He showed the more experienced Indian pace attack how variations can fetch wickets.

Unfortunately, Mustafizur was involved in an unpleasant incident in his first ODI. But that didn’t rattle him, instead, he came back with a steely resolve that has been the new hallmark of the Bangladesh team. Even after being shoved off by the Indian captain, M. S. Dhoni, the new-ball bowler took two quick Indian wickets to derail their chase. Mustafizur’s resolve post the incident, which was firmly dealt later by the referee, epitomized the new tenacity of the Bangladesh team.

Bangladesh have made it loud and clear that there are here to be counted by one and all.

The Tigers are cock-a-hoop after their ICC World Cup show and now they seem to have made it a mission to stay ahead in the race for the 2017 Champions Trophy that will be held from June 1 to 19 in England and Wales.

First they kept Pakistan at an arm’s length by beating them 3-0 in the ODI home series. On Thursday they strengthened their qualifying chances with the thumping win over India in the first of the three-match ODI Series.

Then they have three more ODIs against the South Africa. One more victory and Bangladesh will be among top eight nations, who will play in the Champions Trophy.

The West Indians must watch from the sidelines with no match to play and Pakistan must win at least two matches against Sri Lanka in their five-match series to earn a qualification. 

The way hosts Bangladesh are playing it would be not hard for them to tuck one more win under the belt in the remaining two home matches against the Indians and stay ahead of Pakistan and the West Indies.

Bangladesh’s rise in stature is good for the game and it’s high time the top sides give them more games, especially a Test Series. Hope the Indian officials learn a lesson from the defeat and start more exchanges with Bangladesh, who have played only three ODIs and no Test on Indian soil in the last 15 years, since playing their first of the eight Tests against India in Dhaka.

sunilvaidya@khaleejtimes.com