Taking the rough with the smooth

There's no denying the tides in the affairs of our cricket. You are not just watching the waves scale up and break on the shores of the world's cricket capitals with a balmy breeze about to greet us. You also ride them on a new flagship with an unspoken mission to add value to our national image.

In a nutshell, the outstanding laurels are: One, we have improved our ODI ranking to the 8th place being entitled to play in the Champions League 2017. By one broad stroke, we get the opportunity to show our prowess in the cricket Ivy League. Two, bowling prodigy pacer Mustafizur Rahman finished the series against India with 13 wickets to level with Ryan Harris as the highest wicket-taker in an ODI series featuring at least three matches. Three, cricket buffs rank our one day side as one of the best fighting units in world cricket today. 

One social message to draw from Mustafiz's rise is a tribute to an extraordinary talent bursting on to the scene entirely due to his merit and from humble origins. This is what an equal opportunities society should be all about. We are a country abounding with talents and must reach out to them at any cost.

But the real test lies in how we deal success. But even Napoleon who had said, 'Impossible is a word found in the dictionary of fools', had met his Waterloo. We must not rest on the oars of our laurels; instead row them vigorously. 

The Sri Lankan coach Hathurusingha sums up the task ahead in a few words: 'Train hard, play hard.' He and the bowling coach Heath Streak are credited for inculcating in our national side, an unvarying fighting spirit, highs and lows along the game regardless. 

A BBC sports programme has marveled at the success story. Previously Bangladesh was rated as a 'mediocre' team pulling off isolated one-offs with big teams but now their attainments have been consistently linear.

Yet the incorrigible critic of Bangladesh cricket Sir Geoff Boycott cannot come out of his boycotting flair. Said he, 'Only when the Bangladesh side wins against Australia, South Africa or New Zealand playing in their countries that the world will turn its eyes to Bangladesh.' Boycott, the batter, can only bat for his views. 

Bizarre comments have issued from Pakistan. Quite a few in that country believed that India intentionally lost to Bangladesh aiming to keep Pakistan out of the Champions League Trophy. Pakistan is dislodged by Bangladesh in the ranking dropping off to 9th position.

Reacting to Bangladesh's triumphs in the series with Pakistan, the media in that country and cricket professionals, barring some notable exceptions, were critical more of their own side than gracefully shower a word of praise on Bangladesh. Actually, snide remarks were made against the Bangladesh side; one commentator even saw the wins as an 'affront' and wondered how such a poor side as Bangladesh could beat them. 

By contrast, one has to say that Indian newspapers ran editorials and comments profusely praising the rejuvenation of Bangladesh's cricket. Gavasker's shoulder-to-shoulder metaphor to Bangladesh's rise and Ashwin's witty bit that they couldn't 'abduct' Mustafiz and will have to play him, are interesting sidelights. Also the Indian media went as far as suggesting that Bangladesh has taken revenge against India for its defeat in the World Cup quarterfinals (controversial umpiring decisions implied). Dhoni was openly criticised for knocking Mustafiz. But rather weird was a West Bengal newspaper's remark that 'Bangladeshis do not forget any hurt and levels up with the tormentor.' 

Bangladeshi cricket fans have matured as well. They were celebrative without being offensive. An Indian fan who was allegedly heckled came out with his version saying that nobody had hurt him. 

Apart from the heartwarming wins for the nation one particular dividend is perhaps waiting to be reaped. This is centred on the prospect of top international teams casting off their reluctance to play with us. They being wary of limited ticket sales should be enthusiastic over encounters with Bangladesh in the near future.

The writer is Associate Editor, The Daily Star.
E-mail: husain.imam@thedailystar.netStar