By Syed Mohammed Pithu
DHAKA, Dec 29, 2020 (BSS) -The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic ate up the most of cricket season of Bangladesh in 2020, a year which was set to be an “epic year” for them.
Bangladesh was scheduled to play a whopping amount of Test matches, for which they were always craving for. But they ended up playing only two Tests due to the pandemic-induced break as the cricket around the world experienced an unprecedented scenario almost throughout the year. Still there are some highs and lows.
Winning the Under-19 World Cup was a landmark achievement for Bangladesh cricket that made the year something to savour amid the COVID-19 mayhem.
A year for missed opportunities:
The 2020 was supposed to be a busy year for Bangladesh cricket as they were scheduled to play at least 10 Test matches and a good number of one-day and T20 internationals. Particularly it was disappointing for the Tigers given the fact that they often didn’t get enough opportunity to play Test matches, largely due to the top opponents’ reluctance to play the longer version cricket against Bangladesh. The COVID-19 pandemic instead forced them to miss eight Tests — three each against Sri Lanka and New Zealand in away as well as two against Australia at home soil — and ruined most of the ODI and T20 fixtures.
Bangladesh so far played two Tests, three ODIs and five T20 Internationals, amongst which one was abandoned due to rain.
Not only the national team, the Under-19 squad, which was set to visit a number of countries and host a number of countries as part of their preparation for the 2022 Under-19 World Cup, suffered much. The pandemic forced them miss most of their training session, for which the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) had a special plan. The training, however, started, and the BCB remains in touch with the other boards to revive the postponed series.
The Bangladesh A team and women’s team also had a number of series which were postponed due to the pandemic. The country’s most coveted tournament Dhaka Premier League (DPL) saw a halt after first round in the wake of outbreak of deadly virus.
The BCB had planned to host a two-match T20 series between Asia XI and the rest of the World XI to celebrate the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, but the plan was postponed indefinitely due to COVID-19 pandemic.
Ratio of successes and failures:
Across the format, Bangladesh played only 10 matches this year — two Tests, three ODIs and five T20 Internationals. Bangladesh lost one Test to Pakistan by an innings and 44 runs, making it their fourth straight innings defeat. They bounced back well thanks to Mushfiqur Rahim’s third double century in Test cricket, which scripted an innings and 106 runs victory over Zimbabwe in the lone Test in Sylhet. This was Bangladesh’s only second victory in innings margin and 14th overall in 119 Tests.
Bangladesh then swept the three-match ODI series, handing Zimbabwe their fourth consecutive whitewash in bilateral series. The margin of the victory in three matches was 169 runs, four-run and 123 runs, capping off an utterly dominating series. The margin of 169 runs in first ODI was Bangladesh’s largest ever victory in this format.
Bangladesh also whitewashed Zimbabwe in two-match T20 series, winning those two matches by 48 runs and 9 wickets. But before that they lost the three-match T20 series against Pakistan in away by 2-0. The third and last match was abandoned due to rain, saving them from a potential whitewash.
Pakistan series gets nod:
The Pakistan series got a nod early this year after much deliberation. Before sending the team after 12 years, Bangladesh’s security team witnessed the security details by visiting Pakistan. The Tigers were given such a security which the Pakistan President and Prime Minister only gets. The series was split into three different phases.
In the first phase, the three-match T20 series was held in which Bangladesh suffered a 2-0 defeat. After the T20 series in January, Bangladesh toured Pakistan in February for the first of two-match Test series, which was the part of ICC World Test Championship match. They tasted an innings and 44 runs defeat in the first one. Bangladesh was due to tour Pakistan in April to play the remaining Test and an ODI, which got postponed due to the global pandemic.
Bangladesh’s maiden ICC trophy:
On February 9, Bangladesh cricket saw the greatest achievement of its cricket history when the Under-19 boys lifted the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup, edging mighty India past by three wickets through D/L method in the final at Senwes Park in Potchefstroom, South Africa. This was Bangladesh’s first global trophy.
Skipper Akbar led the charge with a serene but heroic 43 not out under tremendous pressure as Bangladesh youths recovered from a precarious 102-6 to reach the winning mark (170-7 in 42.1 overs) after bowling out India for 177 in 47.2 overs.
Bangladesh was set 170 for victory in 46 overs as per D/L method after rain stopped the game for some 10 minutes.
This was the first time that they played the final of the World Cup but made it remarkable by beating the four-time champions India, a team which earlier beat them in two finals in tri-nation tournament in England and Asia Cup.
But on the day when it mattered most, Bangladesh immaculately held their nerve to deny the Indians for the most prized trophy. Upon their return to the country, they were accorded a heroic welcome, and Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) vowed to nurse them in a way so that they could be the future stars of Bangladesh. Already some of the cricketers, including the captain Akbar Ali, showed the promise of filling the shoes of the likes of Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim by demonstrating some sublime performances in domestic cricket.
Tamim slams historic triple century:
Ace opener Tamim Iqbal became the second Bangladeshi batsman to hit a triple century in the first class cricket during a Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL) game at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on February 2.
Playing for Islami Bank East Zone in the first round game of the franchise-based first class tournament BCL, Tamim remained unbeaten on 334 against Walton Central Zone. In doing so, he registered the highest individual score in Bangladesh’s first class cricket, eclipsing the 313 of Roqibul Hasan.
Roqibul was the first to achieve the historic feat playing for Barishal during a National Cricket League (NCL) game against Sylhet Division in 2007.
Tamim scored his unbeaten 334 off 426 deliveries, smashing 42 fours and three sixes.
East Zone decided to declare the innings when Tamim reached 334, a score that is the highest individual score of the unarguably the greatest batsman of the cricket—Sir Don Bradman.
With Tamim scoring the triple ton, Bangladesh saw this sort of feat after 13 years but Nasir Hossain came close in 2018 season before missing the triple century by five runs.
South Zone, the king of BCL:
The BCL, the country’s prime first class tournament was finished before COVID-19 could ruin it. This was the eighth edition of the tournament, a franchise-based first class tournament for which BCB generally divides the country into four zones to form four teams with countries best players.
South Zone emerged as the champions in this edition after beating Islami Bank East Zone by 105 runs in the five-day final. The other matches of the tournament was four-dayer. This was South Zone’s fifth title in eighth edition of the premier first class cricket tournament of the country, making them the king of this event.
Mashrafe steps down as ODI captain:
The year will be remembered for Mashrafe Bin Mortaza’s decision to step down from the ODI captain, the lone format from which he is yet to retire. The cricketer-turned lawmaker, however, said he is willing to play cricket as a general cricketer if the team management considers him in the national team.
The captain, who has inspired millions, made his decision public during a press conference on March 5, saying that the third and final ODI against Zimbabwe will be his last match as the skipper. Bangladesh gave him fitting send-off by registering a 123-run victory, which was also Mashrafe’s 50th win in ODI format.
Mashrafe had previously said the decision to retire should be left up to him and if the BCB asks him to let go off the captaincy, he will do so.
But, he, all by himself, left the captaincy, ending an itchy situation hovering over the cricket fraternity for the last several months due to the cold war between him and the BCB, the governing body of Bangladesh cricket.
Dubbed as the most inspirational captain of the country, Mashrafe said the decision came from the fact that the new captain should be given time to build a team for the 2023 World Cup.
Liton Das magic:
Liton Das struck the highest individual score by a Bangladeshi batsman in an ODI this year—a knock of 176, which was also the highest individual score by a batsman in the 50-over format in 2020.
Liton, who smashed 16 fours and eight sixes for his 143 ball-176, his third ODI century and second in the three-match series against Zimbabwe in March, grabbed the record from his opening partner Tamim, who hit 158 runs in the previous match of the series.
In that match, Tamim who scored 128 and Liton combined for a 292-run partnership, comfortably the highest for Bangladesh in any wicket, surpassing the 224 by Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah for the fifth wicket in a thrilling victory against New Zealand at Cardiff in 2017 ICC Champions Trophy.
Their record-breaking partnership helped Bangladesh put up a hefty 322-3 in a game, which turned out to be 43-over a side after a spell of shower put a brake on the match for two hours and 38 minutes.
Tamim-Liton pair also broke 21-year-old record opening partnership by Shahriar Hossain Bidyut and Mehrab Hossain Opee, who shared 224, also against Zimbabwe in 1999.
Rajshahi BBPL champions:
Towards the end of 2019, the 7th season of BPL was rebranded as the Bangabandhu BPL to celebrate the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. This special edition of BPL was solely organized by the BCB as they didn’t include any old franchisees.
Seven directors of BCB took the onus of seven teams, sponsored by different companies of the country. The special edition of the BPL ended in January 2020 with foreign stars like Chris Gayle, Hashim Amla, Dawid Maln, Kesrick Williams, Shane Watson igniting the country’s sky. Rajshahi Royals put up a clinical performance to lift the title of the special edition of BPL after securing a 21-run win over Khulna Tigers in the final at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
COVID-19 hit cricketers financially:
As has been the case, the COVID-19 pandemic not only put a blow on the country’s economy, but also forced cricketers to feel the heat. The cricketers in domestic circuit are the ones getting the most sympathy. But, looking into the sums that have been lost by the current national team cricketers is overwhelming in itself.
The BCB didn’t impose any salary cut options like the other boards but still the financial loss is huge. Bangladesh were scheduled to play 10 Tests this year but they were able to play only two matches against Pakistan and Zimbabwe each in the beginning of the year.
The match fee for Bangladesh cricketers in Tests now stands at Taka 600,000 per game and considering regular names in the format with the likes of Mominul Haque, Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim and others have lost Tk 48 lakh each as match fee due to postponement of the eight Tests.
Looking into the 50-over format of the game, Bangladesh was in line to play three ODIs against hosts Ireland. ODI match fee is now Tk 400,000 each, and each of the cricketers has lost potentially Tk 1,200,000. There were also four T20I matches to be played during the tour of Ireland which was supposed to generate Taka 800,000 for each player having a match fee of Taka 200,000 per match of shortest format of the game.
Cricketers resolve to fight COVID-19
While the global pandemic left the cricket stranded, the cricketers didn’t sit idle at their home. Apart from continuing training as per the guidelines set by the BCB, they tried their best to help the people affected by the pandemic. National cricketers, first class cricketers, female cricketers and even the Under-19 players donated their salary, raised funds through auctioning their favourtie items. Some of the cricketers like Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, MP, Nazmul Isalm Apu were infected with the highly contagious virus as they had to leave the home comfort to aid the vulnerable people.
Shakib in headlines:
From being selected as the second Most Valuable Player (MVP) in ODI and sixth best in Test cricket by Wisden Monthly’s joint study with cricket statistics organisation Cricviz to find his name in the ICC ODI XI of the decade, Shakib Al Hasan’s life was adventurous all through the 2020.
Most of the time in this year he remained banned by ICC due to his failure to report corrupt approaches but he was in headline always. The COVID-19 outbreak came as blessings for him as he didn’t miss so many matches. His ban finally was lifted on October 28, paving his way to play the cricket. The ace all-rounder resumed his cricket through Bangabandhu T20 Cup in which he was a part of star-studded Gemcon Khulna team.
Akbar hailed as future great:
Bangladesh’s Under-19 World Cup winning captain Akbar Ali was selected as one of the 20 cricketers who could dominate the next decade. The cricket monthly magazine of ESPNcricinfo prepared the list asking 15 coaches, scouts, analysts, players and observers around the world.
The wicket-keeper batsman Akbar Ali showed his serenity in the nervy final against India in which his unbeaten 43 led the side to a three-wicket victory, defying the condition and weather as Bangladesh won the Under-19 World Cup.
Tom Moody, Mike Hesson, Deep Dasgupta, HD Ackerman, Ian Bishop, AR Srikanth, Tim Wigmore, Russel Arnold, Paras Mhambrey, Hassan Cheema, Srinath Bashyam, Tamim Iqbal, Andy Moles, Jarrod Kimber and Robin Peterson were the persons to have their say in the selection of the 20 probable future greats.
A disappointing year for Tigress:
While the male team enjoyed some success in International cricket before COVID-19 outbreak, it was a disappointing year for Bangladesh Women’s team. They played only four T20 Internationals this year in the ICC Women’s Twenty20 World Cup but they returned empty-handed.
Salma Khatun’s team lost their first match to India by 18 runs before suffering an 86-run defeat to Australia and 17-run loss to New Zealand. In their last match against Sri Lanka, they tasted a nine-wicket defeat.
The Tigress showed a disappointing batting performance throughout the tournament, and no batters of them could manage a half-century.
BCB President’s Cup and Bangabandhu T20:
Those were the two tournaments that BCB organized as part of its initiatives for a gradual resumption of the cricket amid COVID-19 pandemic. Players, officials and other stakeholders were kept in the bio-secure bubble throughout those two tournaments, only to understand as to how it works as BCB planned to restart the International cricket. The plan was entirely successful as the cricket apex body organized those two tournaments without any hiccup.
The BCB President’s Cup was a 50-over tournament with three teams—named Mahmudulla XI, Tamim XI and Nazmul XI — under the leadership of Mahmudullah Riyad, Tamim Iqbal and Nazmul Hossain Shanto respectively.
Mahmudllah Riyad led Mahmudullah XI emerged as the champions of the tournament, beating Nazmul XI by seven wickets. The Bangabandhu T20 tournament was a T20 format game with five-teams sponsored by five reputed companies of the country competing for the glory. Mahmudullah Riyad-led Gemcon Khulna clinched the trophy, securing a five-run victory over Gazi Group Chattogram. Handsome prize money was given for both the tournaments.
Mahmudullah’s domestic double:
Bangladesh T20 skipper Mahmudullah Riyad achieved a domestic double by winning the trophy of BCB President’s Cup and Bangabandhu T20 Cup.
His team Gemcon Khulna beat Gazi Group Chattogram by 5 runs in a thrilling final in Bangabandhu T20 Cup and Mahmudullah led the side from the front with a tremendous 48 ball-70 not out.
The all-rounder led Mahmudullah XI to lift the title of the BCB President’s Cup, a three-team 50-over tournament in October. Thereby he grabbed both of the one-day and T20 format trophies and proved his captaincy credential.
Both the tournaments were part of BCB’s plan of bringing cricket back in the country after the lengthy COVID-19-induced break.
Player of the year:
Given the number of matches Bangladesh played this year, it is quite tough to select who is the clear favourtie to be the ‘player of the year’. However Liton Das played a landmark innings against Zimbabwe and scored runs in abundance to be adjudged the player of the year. Liton scored 311 runs in three-match series on a staggering average of 155.50, which is the highest by any Bangladeshi batsman in a year.
Tamim Iqbal came agonizingly close in the fray by averaging 155 after scoring 310 against Zimbabwe in three matches. But Liton edged his senior mate by playing 176 runs knock, which was the highest individual score by a Bangladeshi batsman and also the highest score in the 2020. In Test cricket, Mushfiqur Rahim scored a 203-run knock in a match against Zimbabwe for his third double century in his career, but the magnitude of Liton’s knock was huge.