Bleak times for the Bangladesh fan
They have been loyal even during the side's more abject failures. And their faith is being tested some more
Madiha Khan
26-Mar-2014
Tamim's catch was the only bright spot in the day for the Bangladesh fans • Getty Images
Choice of game
Bangladesh v West Indies, the first game of the host team, my team, in the World Twenty 20 Super 10s. It is a fact that Bangladesh are going through a rough patch, possibly one of the worst patches of their cricketing history so far. The have disappointed before, they might disappoint again. But at the end of the day, Bangladesh is my country. How can I not put my belief in them?
Bangladesh v West Indies, the first game of the host team, my team, in the World Twenty 20 Super 10s. It is a fact that Bangladesh are going through a rough patch, possibly one of the worst patches of their cricketing history so far. The have disappointed before, they might disappoint again. But at the end of the day, Bangladesh is my country. How can I not put my belief in them?
Key performer
Before the match, a thunderstorm was expected, as was a Gayle Storm. Neither arrived. Chris Gayle looked happy playing dot balls and rotating the strike, while his opening partner took charge of the run rate. Dwayne Smith scored four successive boundaries in one of Sohag Gazi's overs, two successive fours in another. He seemed to enjoy the spin bowling as he took 11 off Sabbir Rahman's over. Mahmudullah finally managed to take his wicket, but not before he too was hit for a six and a four. Smith finished with 72 off 43 balls.
Before the match, a thunderstorm was expected, as was a Gayle Storm. Neither arrived. Chris Gayle looked happy playing dot balls and rotating the strike, while his opening partner took charge of the run rate. Dwayne Smith scored four successive boundaries in one of Sohag Gazi's overs, two successive fours in another. He seemed to enjoy the spin bowling as he took 11 off Sabbir Rahman's over. Mahmudullah finally managed to take his wicket, but not before he too was hit for a six and a four. Smith finished with 72 off 43 balls.
It is also worth mentioning that even though Chris Gayle ended up scoring a run-a-ball 48 runs, when Smith was dismissed he had only scored 19 runs off 28 deliveries. From then on he went on to hit two more sixes and three fours to maintain the run rate above eight.
One thing you'd have changed
Multiple catches were dropped, boundaries were not saved, wickets were thrown away. I also thought the right bowling changes were not made in the first innings; Shakib could have been brought on earlier to try to break the partnership; Ziaur Rahman, who took one wicket and produced two other chances in the single over he bowled, was only brought on at the back end of the innings.
Multiple catches were dropped, boundaries were not saved, wickets were thrown away. I also thought the right bowling changes were not made in the first innings; Shakib could have been brought on earlier to try to break the partnership; Ziaur Rahman, who took one wicket and produced two other chances in the single over he bowled, was only brought on at the back end of the innings.
Wow moment
Everything except for a stunner of a catch that Tamim Iqbal took went wrong for Bangladesh. He took a one-handed catch, flying to his right to send back Dwayne Bravo for a duck. Not that it made much of a difference in the context of the game, but his effort was excellent.
Everything except for a stunner of a catch that Tamim Iqbal took went wrong for Bangladesh. He took a one-handed catch, flying to his right to send back Dwayne Bravo for a duck. Not that it made much of a difference in the context of the game, but his effort was excellent.
Shot of the day
A flat six that Smith hit off Al-Amin Hossain to deep square leg.
A flat six that Smith hit off Al-Amin Hossain to deep square leg.
Crowd meter
As you'd expect for a World T20 game in a cricket-crazy nation, the stands were packed. The supporters manage to put the past in the past and find it worth their while to come back their team every single time. Or perhaps it is just the pleasure of watching a World T20 game live? Maybe the spectators arrive in numbers simply to dance in the aisles, spend time with friends and sing the national anthem altogether.
As you'd expect for a World T20 game in a cricket-crazy nation, the stands were packed. The supporters manage to put the past in the past and find it worth their while to come back their team every single time. Or perhaps it is just the pleasure of watching a World T20 game live? Maybe the spectators arrive in numbers simply to dance in the aisles, spend time with friends and sing the national anthem altogether.
Overall
The entire experience of this match was disappointing and frustrating. From the word go things were going wrong for Bangladesh. Mashrafe Mortaza started the match with five wides. That negativity lasted for the entire duration of the match for Bangladesh. By the end of it, I had given up hope. From the way they have been performing I don't see Bangladesh winning any match in the near future. Unless, by some miracle all their issues are addressed and the team as we knew it makes a comeback.
The entire experience of this match was disappointing and frustrating. From the word go things were going wrong for Bangladesh. Mashrafe Mortaza started the match with five wides. That negativity lasted for the entire duration of the match for Bangladesh. By the end of it, I had given up hope. From the way they have been performing I don't see Bangladesh winning any match in the near future. Unless, by some miracle all their issues are addressed and the team as we knew it makes a comeback.
Want to do a Fan Following report? Read our FAQ here
Madiha is very passionate about cricket and Bangladesh. She is 17, and currently doing her A levels in Bangladesh. Her father who happens to be a cricketer and a commentator is her inspiration. Madiha hopes to study economics in university and bring about change in her country. She also dreams of becoming a cricket journalist.