A coming of age

Is the five-wicket thriller against New Zealand at Cardiff Bangladesh's biggest win in their ODI history? Their victory against Australia at the same venue by the same margin 12 years ago was very special. The Tigers' 15-run win against England in the 2015 World Cup was not only fascinating but also served a purpose -- they made it to the quarterfinals. They knocked India out of the 2007 World Cup with yet another stunning five-wicket win at Port of Spain and they beat holders Pakistan in their first World Cup appearance in 1999. For the last two years they have won a lot of games at home against the big teams, which include Pakistan, India, South Africa and England.

But Friday's victory in Cardiff against the Black Caps in extraordinary circumstances and with higher stakes on the cards was by far the best win in Bangladesh's one-day history.

Bangladesh have never been in a situation in an ICC flagship event where they were in the limelight as far as title race was concerned. It was the biggest stage for Bangladesh to show the world what they were capable of.

But after they were reduced to 33-4 chasing 265, a few reporters, including one Indian journalist, started filing their reports of a comfortable Kiwi victory. However, by the time Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah Riyad put on 100 in that magnificent 224-run fifth wicket stand that turned the game on its head, one of the journalists sitting beside this reporter said in annoyance: "I've already filed half of my report and I might have to change the whole story if this partnership goes on."

"I'm lucky that I have not started my report," retorted a South African reporter, who however was a bit disturbed at the prospect of a full game. "I'm afraid I'm going to miss the 7pm train."

The South African missed the train but what a wonderful game of cricket he was part of. Two magnificent centuries under pressure in a partnership nobody, not even the most loyal Tigers fans, could have seen coming.

"I was a good athlete. I played cricket long time ago. But this is the best day of my life. I will write something. This is extraordinary," said an emotionally-choked Rouf Chowdhury, who is in his 80s and was coming down the lift on a wheel-chair with son after the game.

Interestingly in the mix of the celebrating Bangladesh fans in the walkway inside the stadium, former Bangladesh cricketer and of one of the architects of taking the game to a higher level in the country, Syed Ashraful Haque, was walking alone.

He greeted this reporter with a big smile on his face and said: "What a wonderful victory it is. This is called coming of age. The way Shakib and Mahmudullah played was magnificent." Asked if he was optimistic of a win when Bangladesh were 4-33, he said: "To be honest I was not but when they were building the partnership I thought we had hope. I'm really proud of what we have done today."

The Bangladesh fans were running up and down that walkway. Some were waving the national flag and others were not sure how express themselves.

A Bangladeshi fan in that mix was taking selfie when his colleague said it was about time to go home. The man, in his 40s, said: "Forget about home. I want to stay here as long as possible. I want to enjoy every bit of it."

It was truly a day to relish.