Bangladesh in fine fettle

We've been here before. A World Cup looming, fans desperately trying to gauge how Bangladesh will perform in the showpiece event. 

You reach a consensus, perhaps to the tune of "they will get blown away this year" or, at the other end of the spectrum, "they're playing well, they might just conjure something".

And then the Tigers do the opposite.

Consider the track record. Leading up to the country's first World Cup appearance in England in 1999, the Tigers played the Asia Cup and a few international triangulars. Against the big boys, a score of 180 not all out was creditable, and Bangladesh struggled to beat Kenya. The stage was set for a hammering in the World Cup played in the unfamiliar conditions of England and Wales, right?

Wrong. Bangladesh beat Scotland, a fellow minnow, and Pakistan, the eventual runners-up and till that shock result against Bangladesh, the form team of the tournament.

Come South Africa 2003, Bangladesh were drawn in a group with Canada and Kenya. Having been elevated to Test status three years earlier, Bangladesh were part of cricket's big-boy table and those other teams were not. So, at least one confirmed win, given what they did in the last World Cup? Wrong again -- losses to everyone bar West Indies, as that match was rained out. Their worst performance in the tournament history.

In the next global showpiece in the West Indies, they were drawn with India, Sri Lanka and Bermuda in a group from which two would progress. No chance? Think again. In a tournament-altering result, the Tigers knocked India out and then beat South Africa in the Super Eights, before doing the decent thing and not making it to the semifinals.

This pattern goes on. At home in 2011, with a buildup that consisted of beating New Zealand 4-0 and a rising trend in performance in home matches, you could have been forgiven for being in the "might just conjure something" camp. Fifty-eight all out against the West Indies, 78 all out against South Africa, and as one of the host nations, Bangladesh could not finish even in the top eight. Not even close. 

Fast forward to 2015 in Australia. The previous year was among the worst in Bangladesh's history, with the Tigers losing anything that could be lost, and then coming up with ways to lose matches that seemed impossible not to win (having Sri Lanka 67 for eight, then losing by 13 runs in Mirpur, for a dire example). But then they went on to play the quarterfinals in Australia, with Rubel Hossain's memorable demolition of England and Mahmudullah Riyad's consecutive tons against England and New Zealand the standout memories. 

Let's waste the least amount of space recounting the latest, as it is freshest. One of the fastest improving teams under Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, the Tigers won their maiden multi-team trophy on the eve of the 2019 World Cup, but then finished eighth out of 10 teams when it mattered. This time, even neutrals were giving them a fair chance of making a deep run. 

With the above summary of World Cups past, you may find a pattern, that they seem to shine in alternate World Cups, or that they can reliably be expected to do the opposite of what is expected. But the wider picture, the wider pattern, is of chaos and inconsistency. 
Things have been glossed over in the aforementioned retrospective. In 2007, they KO'd India and South Africa, but in the other outings were comprehensively outplayed, even by their 2007 standards. 

In 2011, apart from the abject displays against the West Indies and South Africa, there was hope for a while with victories over the Netherlands, Ireland and a particularly rousing and exciting one over England.

Memories of 2015 glories must be tempered by the fact that a quarterfinal finish, in all likelihood, was made possible by a fortunate washout against hosts and eventual champions Australia. 

And lastly, in 2019 before the gloomy end in Lord's came the brightest of beginnings at The Oval, when Bangladesh beat South Africa, then almost defeated eventual finalists New Zealand, and then pulled off a successful 300-plus chase over the West Indies in Taunton. 
So, what is the expectation for India 2023?

Why are we even asking? What could possibly be the answer? We could say that Bangladesh were as high as third in the 2023 World Cup race, but then we'd have to say they are seventh in the current ODI rankings. We could say that under Tamim Iqbal a relatively stable team had been improving since the last World Cup, but after that thing that happened when he retired, unretired and then quit captaincy, stability is not the word. 

We could say that they won series against South Africa away from home and India at home, but then they lost to Afghanistan at home, and were unable to bat even 40 overs on an absolute belter of a pitch against Pakistan in the recently concluded Asia Cup. 
The simplest thing, and closest to the truth, to say is that we do not know. The BCB does not know, the players do not know, neither do sports writers or fans. 

We do not know what surprises the World Cup squad will hold. It will probably be announced a minute before players are asked to leave for the airport. Will it affect them? Not likely. By now they have probably figured out the only reliable pattern, that there will be chaos. 
We should too, and embrace it. At least, going by past tournaments, it won't be boring. Or will it?
 

A year of disappointment ended in a positive note for Bangladesh with a dominant win in New Zealand, but it did little to make up for what has been an abysmal year for the Tigers in their favourite format – the ODIs.

The Najmul Hossain Shanto-led side defeated the Kiwis by nine wickets on Saturday, ending Bangladesh's 18-match losing streak in ODIs against the hosts in New Zealand.

But this historic win came after a series of disappointments in ODIs for the Tigers in 2023, making it their worst year in the format in recent memory.

2023 has been Bangladesh's busiest ever year in ODIs. They have played 32 matches as part of six bilateral series – four at home and two away– and taken part in the Asia Cup in August-September and the ICC World Cup in October-November.

On paper, the year held a lot of promise for the Tigers, but as it progressed, the sense of optimism withered away.

The Tigers won only 11 ODIs this year, which comes down to one win in roughly three matches.

They lost four out of their six bilateral series, losing to England and Afghanistan at home and a couple of times to New Zealand in both home and away.

Their only two series wins came against the Irish -- the first in March in Bangladesh and the second two months later in Ireland.

The Asia Cup held in Sri Lanka and Pakistan also went poorly for the Tigers, where they lost three out of five games, but it was nothing compared to the disappointment in the World Cup.

Bangladesh had their worst outing in two decades in the event, losing seven out of nine games, including a defeat to the Netherlands.

The abysmal performance from a team that had finished third in the ODI Super League and had won a series against the Proteas in South Africa and against India at home the previous year seemed hard to believe.

But what those stats don't show is that while Bangladesh played with their best available XI at all times in the Super League, desperate to win, the other teams were often playing without their best players.

With the advent of Twenty20 franchise cricket, ODIs have been losing relevance in most top cricketing countries, with many players opting out of bilateral series.

The boards have also become more cautious about managing the workload of their best cricketers, often resting them in ODI engagements to keep them fresh for Tests and ICC events.

Because of this, top teams like Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and India often fielded understrength teams in bilateral series, which also gave them a chance to test new players and increase their players' pool.

But Bangladesh continued with their approach of always playing with the best available players even after the World Cup qualification had been ensured and this tendency hurt them in the World Cup, where they had to take untested players.

However, even after this tactical gaffe Bangladesh should've done better in at least the home ODIs.

But other than the England series, which they lost 1-2, the home series against Afghanistan and New Zealand happened when the whole Tamim Iqbal episode was taking place, which evidently didn't help the team's case.

Whatever the reason, the dismal 2023 has put a serious dent in the generalised belief that Bangladesh are a top ODI side and signal a need for change in direction.

Bangladesh's struggle in the ongoing ICC World Cup seems to be a never-ending saga, both on and off the field.

Following sixth straight defeats in seven outings, Shakib Al Hasan and his troops had stationed themselves in New Delhi on Wednesday and were set to resume training yesterday ahead of the Sri Lanka fixture. However, it was not meant to be as infamous weather in the Indian capital came in the way.

Bangladesh team director Khaled Mahmud stated that players suffered breathing difficulties during their outing in the city on Thursday, hence the team management opted to defer the training session.

"Because we have two more practice days before the match [against Sri Lanka], we have time to see if the weather improves. We might have to train tomorrow [today], but we don't want any of our players to suffer on fitness ground," Mahmud told reporters.  

In recent days, the city has been grappling with hazardous air quality, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) hitting critical levels, far beyond what is considered unhealthy. It led to New Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal declaring on Thursday that all government and private primary schools in the city will be closed for the next two days.

Yesterday's 24-hour average AQI was 261 and it is predicted to worsen in the following days. Despite the inclement weather, members of the Bangladesh squad went to offer Friday prayers at the Shahi Masjid near the team hotel. Skipper Shakib, Mahmudullah Riyad, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim, and others wore face masks as precaution.

Things have not been going well in the Bangladesh camp since their repeated failures in this World Cup. Sorely needing a break from the dreary atmosphere, a trip around the city could have done wonders to their mood but all Bangladesh players resorted to confining themselves to their hotel rooms.

"We don't feel like going out these days. When the team perform badly, as a player, it's always difficult to feel good. Things are not going in our favour but we are trying our best," a Bangladesh player, requesting anonymity, told The Daily Star.

However, few of those who did venture outdoors to briefly stroll around had to deal with questions about their abysmal show in the tournament so far.

Another cricketer, also requesting anonymity, said, "Wherever we go, once people notice us, the first question they ask is, 'Why are you guys playing so bad?'

 "It's not that they are saying it in a negative tone as they are showing sympathy towards us, but at times it doesn't feel good as a player. It's a long tournament and it is important to have a good mental state to play well. We mostly try to talk with our family members and video-call them. That is the only way we are trying to ease this situation."

India captain Rohit Sharma on Wednesday surpassed compatriot Sachin Tendulkar as his record seventh World Cup century kept his team on course for a commanding win over Afghanistan.

Chasing 273 for victory, Rohit tore into the opposition attack at New Delhi's Arun Jaitley Stadium.

He brought the crowd to its feet with his century off 63 balls to go past Tendulkar's record of six tons in World Cups.

Rohit's century was also the fastest by an Indian in a World Cup, quicker than Kapil Dev's hundred in 72 balls against Zimbabwe in 1983.

Rohit hit the ball to all parts of the ground as he reached 1,000 World Cup runs and then went past Chris Gayle's record of 553 sixes across all formats.

Afghanistan posted 272-8 after electing to bat at the ground which witnessed a World Cup record 754 runs scored in the previous match when South Africa posted 428 and defeated Sri Lanka.

Pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah stood out for the home side with his best World Cup bowling figures of 4-39.

Afghanistan slipped to 63-3 before skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi (80) and Azmatullah Omarzai (62) put on 121 runs to help Afghanistan recover.

Bumrah got Ibrahim Zadran caught behind for 22 and celebrated by pointing to his temple.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz, on 21, and Rahmat Shah, on 16, fell in the space of four balls with Hardik Pandya and Shardul Thakur taking the wickets.

Shahidi, a left-hand batsman, and Omarzai then rebuilt the innings in a century stand, prompting skipper Rohit Sharma to rotate his bowlers.

Omarzai reached his second ODI fifty and soon Shahidi smashed Pandya for four to bring up his half-century and followed it up with a six.

Omarzai, who hit two fours and four sixes in his 69-ball knock, also attacked but was bowled by Pandya.

Shahidi kept up the attack with regular boundaries but fell lbw to Kuldeep Yadav in his attempt to reverse sweep the left-arm wrist spinner.

Bumrah struck twice including Rashid Khan to dent Afghanistan further on a batting-friendly pitch.

The Afghans lost their opening match to Bangladesh while tournament favourites India began with a victory over five-time winners Australia.

In a central Kabul street, the sound of kids playing was once mostly the scuff of a football against concrete. Now, it is punctuated with the crack of a cricket bat.

From pickup games in dusty parks or narrow alleys to high-intensity training at well-kitted academies, young Afghans have cricket fever -- a trend spiked by the surprise performance of the Afghan national team at the recent ODI World Cup.

"I'm crazy for cricket," said 19-year-old Shamsullah Mangal, who trains at a privately funded academy, having been inspired to take up the sport by national team player Rashid Khan.

Since the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan in 2021, the sport has emerged as a rare arena of national unity, with the Afghanistan Cricket Board working hard to expand facilities, giving young players a route to potential sporting stardom.

"Cricket in Afghanistan has a shorter history compared to other countries, but Afghanistan has great natural talents," Mangal told AFP.

"If players are supported, and facilities are provided, we will see a great Afghan team in future."

Cricket was first popularised in Afghanistan around two decades ago, when refugees who fled war to established cricket-playing countries brought it home.

Now, the sport's popularity is skyrocketing.

"Afghanistan cricket is not just a sport anymore, it has turned into an industry," said former cricket board CEO Lutfullah Stanikzai.

Decades of war and meagre economic resources, however, pose major funding and infrastructure challenges, with the isolation of the Taliban government on the world stage creating still other hurdles.

'Only cricket represents us' 

Even at the well-funded Mohammad Mirza Katawazai Cricket Centre, trainees have to head to Pakistan when Kabul's harsh winter hits, as the club's indoor training facilities are still under construction.

With much stacked against the Afghan national squad, wins against several top teams in their most-successful-ever World Cup in November were all the sweeter: none as much as the one against Pakistan.

"Had they won the (World Cup) trophy, it would not have made me as happy as when Afghanistan won against Pakistan," said Hezbullah Fateh, a spectator at a recent regional match.

Pakistan was one of the countries where Afghans first fell for the game, but the nations' relations have long been fraught.

Since October, thousands of Afghans have fled Pakistan to avoid deportation after Islamabad ordered all undocumented migrants to leave.

After the World Cup win, Afghanistan's captain dedicated the win to those returning.

"These days, only cricket represents us on the international stage and presents a good image of us," said Zeeshan Shaheir, another match attendee.

'Dream and ambition' 

Senior officials in the Taliban government have embraced the national team's success, holding receptions for the players after tournaments and even posting on social media to salute their victories.

With the Taliban authority's tacit approval, the team still uses the flag of the old republican government as an emblem, even though it has been replaced everywhere else in public by the armed group's black-and-white standard.

That support only extends to the men's team, however. Women have been barred from most aspects of public life -- including sports -- since the Taliban took power.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) is funded by contributions from the sport's governing body the International Cricket Council, sponsorships and government funding.

The ACB has 25 academies around the country and is building more, spokesman Sayed Naseem Sadaat told AFP, with private companies running many more.

The board has also been granted land to build a "huge" cricket complex in Kabul, with construction slated to start next year, Sadaat said.

It will be the kind of arena Mangal dreams of playing in, as he works at a shop to support his training and hopes to one day put on the national jersey.

The rewards can be life-changing.

Spinner Rashid Khan, Afghanistan's top player and one of the best in the world, earned $1.8 million playing for the Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League this year.

That was on top of the hundreds of thousands of dollars he earned playing in leagues elsewhere in the world, often joined by his national teammates.

"This is my dream and ambition to play one day for the national team and achieve great things for Afghanistan," said Mangal.