Bangladeshi fans have been up in arms following being “cheated” out of a World Cup final © Getty Images
The last couple of weeks have been full of turmoil for Bangladesh cricket. First, a controversial exit from ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, and now the dispute involving Mustafa Kamal, all is certainly not well for the ‘Bangla Tigers’. Sandipan Banerjee and Devarchit Varma say that rather than crying hoarse over issues which Bangladesh cannot control, they should let their cricket do the talking.
Bangladesh as a nation has been experiencing political instability of late. The freedom of expression is under threat and people are not getting opportunity to enjoy benefits that one usually gets in independent lands. In those circumstances, the recent success of their national cricket team in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 not only gave the troubled land a reason to rejoice, but also to cast away the burning issues, albeit temporarily. READ: ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: Bangladesh would have defeated India had it not been for umpiring errors, says Sheikh Hasina
The ever supportive and deprived Bangladeshi cricket fans came out on the streets of cities like Dhaka, Chittagong, Rajshahi, Bogra in large numbers to celebrate their historic win against England, which ensured Bangladesh’s first-ever qualification to the World Cup quarter-final round. Looking at Bangladesh’s performances on the biggest stage, the ardent and frenzied Bangladeshi cricket fans, including me, began thinking that finally the national cricket team is giving them the returns of the unending and passionate support.
But Bangladeshis have messed up. Once again.
It all started with just one umpiring error — one that did not even change the outcome of the game — during the one-sided India-Bangladesh quarter-final at Melbourne. Everything changed after that. Since then, Bangladesh cricket went backwards. First came the exit from ICC Cricket World Cup 2015; then the inexplicable, baseless sulk that included both cricketers and their fans. Instead of celebrating Bangladesh’s best-ever World Cup campaign, the nation stooped to moaning, complaining over almost everything. READ: Mustafa Kamal’s fixing allegations are unfortunate and baseless, says Dave Richardson
These complains came from all corners: Sheikh Hasina, the Bangladeshi Prime Minister; Mustafa Kamal, who had taken the role of the International Cricket Council (ICC) President just a couple of months ago, too was kvetching. They all behaved as if the World Cup trophy was taken away from grasp of Bangladesh!
A prime minister making comments on cricketing matters was not a new thing this World Cup. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to wish every single member of the Indian cricket team before the tournament. New Zealand’s John Key and Australian Tony Abbott were present when the co-hosts clashed in the thrilling encounter at Auckland. So what was special about Sheikh Hasina joining the band?
Was it because she was indulging in ‘vote bank’ politics? Everyone knows that her government’s image is pro-India, and who knows, a couple of those frenzied Bangladeshis may have had change of hearts seeing their leader standing with them in the battle, underlining the anti-India sentiment? READ: Bangladesh can find cheer in spite of defeat against India in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 quarter-final
With all due respect, the resignation of Mustafa Kamal from the post of ICC President has given the matter a comical turn. The only immediate impact of his resignation would be further inflaming of the growing anti-India sentiment. Kamal, ironically also an important minister in the Hasina government, might have just scored the home point by toeing in line they way his government would have wanted!
The whole matter is screaming out loud to be perceived more of a politically inclined one, rather than a cricketing one.
Even if the whole matter was not politically inclined, Kamal, with all his experience as a cricket administrator, or anyone who holds important position in management, cannot just punk out by commenting like an ordinary cricket fan. Kamal, stupefied the cricket world when he, in capacity a ICC President, declared that the umpires officiating in a World Cup quarter-final “had gone into the match with something in mind “. It sounded quite illogical: one can only imagine if an Indian cricket administrator would have said this. He would surely have been lynched.
A comment like that can come from a Bangladeshi cricket fan, or even a politician, but not from an ICC President. Perhaps, the politician in Kamal failed him.
In an ideal world, the cricket fraternity would love to see the Bangladeshis excelling on the cricket field rather than tarnishing their image off it. On a cricketing note, Bangladesh would have benefited massively had Kamal stayed on to his post in the ICC.
Bangladesh may have irked India, who as good as control the cricketing matters. After this episode, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) may not remain in the good books of the ICC chairman N Srinivasan; it may hamper them in the longer run. But nothing can be said for sure. Bangladesh are slotted to host the next Under-19 World Cup in 2016. Top teams such as India, Australia, England, South Africa and Pakistan are slated to tour Bangladesh later this year. What if these tours get affected (if not cancelled, in worst case scenario)? READ: Mustafa Kamal calls N Srinivasan ‘Rotten’
Surely the price is too heavy for Bangladesh to pay. Who are the winners here? The frenzied fans or the self-interested politicians?
Bangladesh cricket will be served better if people keep their emotions in check and politicians stay off it. The game of cricket is too pure to be maligned with the presence of politics. Bangladesh already attracts lot of eyeballs with the unmatched passion for the sport their cricketers and fans show. They better concentrate on winning, rather than complaining.
Bangladesh cricket is known for losing opportunities time and again, let aside their failure to be where they could really have been today as far as cricket is concerned. Since getting Test cricket status in 2000, Bangladesh have remained inconsistent and cricket’s ‘favourite bashing boys’. In hindsight, they always had the talent, but lack of focus and drive had cost them. When they have finally managed to shrug all that off, unwanted negative issues have taken centrestage, robbing us all of the chance to celebrate Bangladesh’s resurgence.
Poor decisions in cricket are not new. They happen day in and day out. They have been there since ages. But brooding upon one such incident and creating such a ruckus is definitely not the right way forward.
Bangladesh should take the success and failures in stride and move ahead, just like India did after the 2008 Sydney Test when they felt cornered and abased. And we do not need to tell you how emphatic India were.
It is better late than never. There is Mahmudullah, the first World Cup centurion for Bangladesh. There is Rubel Hossain, the force who doesn’t get bogged down by any jail and comes out fighting. There is Taskin Ahmed, young and seriously talented. There is Mushfiqur Rahim, the pocket dynamite with a massive heart matched by only a few. Tamim Iqbal is still belligerent at the top. And of course, there is the small matter of Shakib Al Hasan. It is time for Mashrafe Mortaza and co. to take their cricket ahead.
It is time for Bangladesh cricket to do the talking. Enough of fans, frenzy and issues off it.
(Sandipan Banerjee is a reporter at CricketCountry. Cricket has been the biggest passion for him since his childhood. So, when it came to choosing his career, he chose to turn his passion into his profession. Apart from cricket he likes mountain trekking, river rafting, and photography. His twitter handle is @im_sandipan)
(Devarchit Varma is a reporter with CricketCountry. He can be followed on Twitter @Devarchit)