Bangladesh’s Revival Marred By Bad Behaviour

Shocking final ball loss

Update: 2018-03-22 12:27 GMT

“I think in T20s we are slowly gaining that confidence as well. We made it to the final and in that respect it does feel good but it is natural that everyone will feel bad after the defeat.”

Mushfiqur Rahim had opined after Dinesh Karthik broke their hearts with a rip-roaring eight ball cameo in the finals of the Nidahas Trophy at Colombo on Sunday.

Rahim was right in many ways. Bangladesh were never a great T20 side. They are yet to win a single T20 against Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and India. They almost set that record straight in a sensational tournament, beating Sri Lanka twice, both times in eye-catching fashion and nearly pulled off a screamer in the finals against India.

Though Karthik single-handedly took the game away from the Tigers who were in it for 19.5 overs shows the sheer improvement they have made as a cricket team. While their Test and ODI records have improved over the past few years, T20Is had always take a backseat but this series should alter that belief.

But run through Rahul’s statement one another time and think of their antics in the knockout clash against Sri Lanka and you sense the irony.

“We are slowly gaining in confidence” says Rahim. Yet, when Mahmudullah snatched victory from the jaws of defeat against Lanka few days back, Bangladesh roared, unleashed the Naagin dance and celebrated like there was no tomorrow. They were brash, threatened to walk off the match after a controversy in the final over and broke the dressing room glasses.

You associate over the top celebrations after victories from minnows. Even they aren't aggressive and do not go around breaking glass. Bangladesh, though, for some reason have specialised in undoing their good work in the field with insensible behaviour post victories.

A team that believes in its own abilities do not scream, shout and dance around after a victory. They understand that they are capable of pulling off such wins and celebrate them oozing the feeling that this is a one-off victory.

This, in every sense, is Bangladesh's issue. They don't seem to think they have it in them to topple big teams. Though they have done it multiple times now to distance themselves from the word 'minnow’, their inability to conduct themselves in a professional manner post their achievements paints them in bad light.

Forget their Naagin dance, the insensible fans and Shakib's fury in the final, decisive moments and you realise that Bangladesh had been quite superb in this Tri-series.

They chased down a mammoth 214 against Sri Lanka, put up a fight against India, reduced Lanka to 41/5 and then chased down the target with a six off the penultimate ball when they fought back. In the finals, they made a strong Indian side sweat despite having an average total on board. If not for Karthik’s anti-venom in the final couple of overs, Bangladesh might well have had another chance to unfurl their disgusting celebrations.

A victory would have been bittersweet for a team that has struggled to perform well in this format of the game. Their senior players stepped up, the youngsters fought with them and as a team they came surprisingly close to grabbing a Tri-series victory.

Yet, after all the drama has settled down, one look at the tournament and the mere thought of Bangladesh leaves a bad taste just because they forgot conducting themselves like professionals is a part of the sport too.

The future, though, is bright if they can grasp the positives and direct themselves the right way. Tamim Iqbal was always a loner at the top of Bangladesh's batting line-up but with Liton Das showcasing much promise, Tamim has company.

Soumya Sarkar, for all his talent, needs to step up now for he is a senior member now. In Rahim and Mahmudullah, they have two fabulous senior batsmen who have the aptitude and temperament to thrive in any situation. Add in Shakib-al-Hasan and Sabbir Rahman and the middle-order even has an intimidating look about it.

The bowling is led by the meticulous Fizz, Mustafizur Rahman, and ably supported by Rubel Hossain, who finally seems to be doing justice to his talent, and Mehidy Hasan, the young off-break bowler. Nazmul Islam completes a rather good looking bowling attack and the back-up names aren't too bad either.

While they need a lot of introspection about how they need to go about their game, Bangladesh are surely in the right direction performance-wise but they aren't helping themselves with poor behaviour and unsportsmanlike conduct. If they can gather themselves up and be role models for their big fan following, their on-field performances could earn much more appreciation.
 

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