The two-wicket victory over England in the crucial group tie of the ICC Word Cup 2011 can be dubbed as the most significant in the 66 win history of Bangladesh in the ODI arena.
So far Bangladesh have played 242 ODIs, losing 174 of them. The Tigers on different occasions stirred the cricket world with stunning wins but the depth of the victory against England is unparalleled.
Down with the 58-run all out humiliation, criticisms from all quarters, allegation of not applying themselves and in a do or die situation of the existence in the greatest show of the cricket, Bangladesh have never been in so much pressure.
Playing in the home ground amid the pressure of expectations the going was too hard for the cricketers.
Luck was in the favour of Bangladesh from the very beginning as skipper Shakib al Hasan won the fourth successive toss in as many matches this World Cup. The decision was proved right as Bangladesh spinners exploited the weakness of their opponents and shared seven of the ten wickets among them.
So far Bangladesh have played 242 ODIs, losing 174 of them. The Tigers on different occasions stirred the cricket world with stunning wins but the depth of the victory against England is unparalleled.
Down with the 58-run all out humiliation, criticisms from all quarters, allegation of not applying themselves and in a do or die situation of the existence in the greatest show of the cricket, Bangladesh have never been in so much pressure.
Playing in the home ground amid the pressure of expectations the going was too hard for the cricketers.
Luck was in the favour of Bangladesh from the very beginning as skipper Shakib al Hasan won the fourth successive toss in as many matches this World Cup. The decision was proved right as Bangladesh spinners exploited the weakness of their opponents and shared seven of the ten wickets among them.
The target of 226 was definitely obtainable in the slow pitch that never assisted the bowlers apart from offering a few unpredictable low bounces. Bangladesh skipper Shakib al Hasan’s mode of dismissal was the clear evident of the low bounce when Graeme Swann’s flighted delivery did not rise to the height that Shakib expected.
The foundation was set by Tamim Iqbal and his partner Imrul kayes and the under pressure skipper Shakib Al Hasan kept the boat firmly afloat towards the bank of victory. However, England bowlers were able to hit back and mounted the pressure that took the nerves of the young cricketers.
With Bangladesh struggling on 169 for eight the irritated spectators started to leave stands. Routing of Bangladesh seemed to be a matter of time. But they were left repenting for missing the greatest show of the Bangladesh cricket when Mahmudullah and Shafiul Islam proved all the anticipations wrong. The six and the four hit by Shafiul off Graeme Swann in the 42nd over and the piercing boundary through the covers hit by Mahmudullah that notched up the victory will remain ever green in the mind of the people who witnessed them.
And the victory kept Bangladesh alive in the World Cup Cricket, kept the hype of it and moreover arrived as the booster that will continue to inspire the Tigers in the future, for sure.
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