The Beginning of a New Era for Bangladesh Cricket

IBangladeshi team posed for a group photo with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the end of the Dan Cake Cricket Series at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka, Bangladesh

Bangladeshi team poses for a group photo with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the end of the Dan Cake Cricket Series at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Photo by Md Manik. Copyright: Demotix (24/04/2015)

The last few days were a dream for Bangladesh cricket. Following a successful 2015 ICC World Cup, in which the team reached the quarterfinals, Bangladesh swept Pakistan 3-0 in the One Day International series and defeated the same country in a lone Twenty-20 match quite convincingly. All these performances show that a new era for Bangladesh cricket has began.

So far, Bangladesh used to be considered a minnow in a sea of big fish, a small team prone to huge defeats. But the situation has changed. In 2015 in particular, they have been playing competitive cricket consistently. From Bangladeshi fans to world-famous ex-cricketers, trainers, sport reporters, commentators and cricket lovers all around the world, this is truly the start of something exciting for the spirited Tigers, as the team is called.

Writing in the Dhaka Tribune, Minhaz Uddin Khan gave an example of how Bangladesh cricket team has changed:

Gone are the days when Bangladesh was depended on a couple of star players in order to eke out a win. The emergence of several performers and their maturity have given new hope to the supporters. The convincing series win over Pakistan has no doubt ushered in a new era for Bangladesh cricket.

On Twitter, user Reem was proud for the team's successes:

Bappy was impressed by Bangladesh’s performance:

Blogger Ishtiaq Rouf credited Sri Lankan coach Hathurusinghe for this achievement:

Said it during the World Cup, saying it again. I am absolutely amazed at how Hathurusinghe and his coaching staff have transformed Bangladesh. There is a bit of Lankan doggedness in this team. Everyone is pulling in the same direction, the team is greater than the sum of its parts. […]

From Nepal, Ramesh Aryal commented:

Even the official Twitter account of the International Cricket Council tweeted:

VVS Laxman, a former Indian cricketer, saw the positive attitude and confidence among Bangladeshi cricketers:

Indian cricket journalist Ayaz Memon was surprised by Bangladesh's performance:

Dileep Premachandran, who is editor-in-chief of Wisden India, tweeted:

Cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle was taken aback by Bangladesh's skill:

But Sri Lankan ex-cricker Russel Arnold thought that Bangladesh has a ways to go:

Former Bangladesh bowling coach and ex-England cricketer Ian Pont told off doubters:

According to Wikipedia, Bangladesh first entered the international cricket scene officially during the 1979 ICC Trophy in England. On 31 March 1986, Bangladesh played its first ODI match, against Pakistan in the Asia Cup. Eleven years later, Bangladesh won the ICC Trophy in Malaysia, which qualified the country to participate in its first Cricket World Cup in England in 1999. It played its first Test match, the longest form of cricket, in 2000 (against India at Dhaka), becoming the tenth Test cricket playing nation. Bangladesh is a full member of the International Cricket Council with Test and One Day International status (currently at no. 9 of the 10 full members).

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