Tigers, keep up the momentum!
Bangladesh Tigers trounced South Africa in Super Eight; when the Tigers put their act together they can do the ‘impossible’ and prove the so-called ‘pundits’ hollow if not rather mean when it comes to Bangladesh. Some of them still call the Tigers underdogs — a term not only derogatory but also condescending. The same goes for ‘upsets’ by weaker teams.
Cricket is more than class or ranking or reputation. Class minus performance is futile. How the team plays on the match day means a lot. If the Tigers do perform with character and class they can win match against high ranking teams. That is the lesson loud and clear.
By the way, is it not time to give the skipper’s cap to someone new? As to Dav Whatmore, what more can Dav do other than finding a better paying job? Why make him more than what he is or has done?
Husain
Dhaka
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It was really a glorious win. My heartiest congratulations and best wishes for the Tigers.
Subrata
Toronto, Canada
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After the stunning victory of Bangladesh cricket team against the mighty Indian team, Bangladesh seemed to be entering the elite club of world cricket. But several debacles dashed that hope. With the latest victory against another cricket giant — South Africa — the Bangladesh cricket team has revived the hope. My congratulations for the rising cricket stars of Bangladesh. I look forward to their victory against England. Bravo!
Mahmood Elahi
Ottawa, Canada
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An Indian friend of mine is in deep puzzle since the day Bangladesh beat India. Today he burst out with a question, ‘What happened to Bangladesh?’ Another friend tried to enlighten him by saying, ‘They have an excellent Australian coach’. I said, ‘Yes, we do have an excellent coach. To tell you frankly, this is not our team, this is Dave’s team. He built this dream team from the scratch’.
MH Khan
On e-mail
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Bangladesh won the game because Habibul Bashar got out quickly. But hats off to Ashraful.
Syed Nazmul Alam
On e-mail
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Indescribable! Every expression has been expressed by this single word, but yet the win of the Tigers over far-mighty Proteus leaves something to discuss. That tremendous triumph is yet another example of the fact that when batting, bowling and fielding — all these three sections of our cricket team come along in rhythms, we can beat any team on any day.
I hope that our Tigers won’t let this win be an exception and upset, rather such victories will continue in a regular basis.
Muhd Zahirul Islam Bhuiyan
Dammam, Saudi Arabia
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British sailors may make up more lies, Hasina may throw more tantrums, but all my heart wants to do is sing out loud, ‘Besh! Besh! Besh! Sabaash Bangladesh!’ Tigers – you are our pride and joy! Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, your boys have taken one hell of a beating from us. Let’s sing it out loud one more time for our boys, ‘Besh! Besh! Besh! Sabaash Bangladesh!’
Shabbir A Bashar
Vancouver, USA
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Our people need to stop taking foreign criticism and commentary so personally. I have seen World Cup commentary in many different countries and it is always biased towards their own nation, even though it is supposed to be neutral. They make comments to placate their own nation, ‘yes, that team was lucky, oh, and that decision was unfair.’ If people are so upset by foreign commentary then they should only watch commentary from their own national media.
We must remember that Bangladesh is relatively new to World Cup cricket so they will have to prove themselves a little more before we receive more favourable reviews by foreigners. I am sure that after this World Cup, many will think twice before dismissing our team so quickly.
Let the proof be in the game, we have already humiliated the critics who tried to humiliate us.
Habib
Dhaka
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Bravo young Tigers! As you have won the appreciation from cricket lovers all over the world by beating the number one team, I say ‘simply wonderful’. But let the captain waste not more than 14 balls in future matches as he did against the South African team. His spoiling more balls will narrow the scope of hitting the ball by other batsmen. I appreciate all the Tigers, apart from the captain, for their splendid performances against South Africans. Let there be better performance in the coming matches.
M Hoque
On e-mail
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This is the greatest victory for Bangladesh, surpassing the triumph against Australia in Cardiff. The win against South Africa will be treated as a landmark in the cricketing history of Bangladesh. The win will definitely help to quell the critics. Thanks to the young guns of Bangladesh that it had achieved such a great victory.
This success proves that Bangladesh is going in the right direction with a well established infrastructure. Maybe we may reach the semi-finals, provided luck favours us.
Zahedul Amin
Mailbagh, Dhaka
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Congratulations! It is a brilliant job done by the Tigers. Ashraful did a wonderful job. Really fantastic game! A true team spirit! I urge them to translate their professionalism in all games not to win but to make a real contest. Please, do not upset us.
Omar
Toronto, Canada
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Yes, indeed Bangladesh can do it.
Go Tigers go!
Hafiz
On e-mail
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The convincing win over South Africa –– no longer a fluke –– heralds the maturity of Bangladesh cricket. The Tigers deserve our unqualified congratulations for their professional performance. One more victory against England or West Indies, will fill our cup of joy. Hopefully, we have stepped into the list of teams who in its day can take on any team in the world of cricket. We are rightfully proud of our cricketers!
A little more discipline in batting (avoiding the off stump nudge); going for the basics in running–– these are the areas to improve. Top it up with tenacity and stamina; then we are a cricketing force to reckon with.
The tour of Indian team next month will be crucial for our reputation. After their World Cup debacle they are out for revenge; and we must be on guard. Pre-warned is pre-armed; we must be on our toes to keep the Indians at bay. Test victory against India, if not a certainty, should be a probability; and our team should be focused on a good show when we host them at home. A series win? But then what’s the harm in dreaming big, for at least in dreams the sky is no longer the limit. Let’s be prepared, determined, and our players on their toes for this will be a series to watch!
SA Mansoor
Gulshan, Dhaka
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Congratulations to the Bangladesh team for their successful thrashing of the South African team. Soon Bangladesh will be known as the giant killer due to their wonderful performance against India and South Africa. Bangladesh win over South Africa was an excellent opportunity for the Bangladeshi people to celebrate after their dwindling performance against Australia and New Zealand. However, they need to win the rest of the games against England, West Indies and Ireland. It is my utmost wish that they will win and go to the semi-finals. I am sure the Bangladesh team has the courage and experience to succeed in their next games. Due credit should also be given to our Coach Dav Whatmore. We are proud of their success and will be always with them whether we are in Bangladesh or USA.
Choudhury Hasan
On e-mail
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I am not surprised. First there was intense desire. Second, Bangladesh kept trying. Hearty congratulations.
Asaf Ali Shah
Lahore, Pakistan
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The match between Bangladesh and South Africa billed as a contest between the David and the Goliaths, turned out to be an encounter that will remain fresh in the minds of the cricket-lovers of this land.
Following two defeats in the hands of the Australians and the Kiwis, the Tigers bounced back with a bang. Thanks to a tremendous batting display of the players, especially Ashraful, the Tigers managed to post a healthy total of 251. The knock of that diminutive batsman, Ashraful, was a unique blend of aggression and caution. After playing the role of sheet-anchor for the most part of his stay at the crease, he came into his own in the later part of the Bangladesh innings. The way he belted the fast bowlers into different corners of the field was masterful. Some of his shots were innovative in every sense of the word. It was unfortunate that he missed a well-deserved century. The rest of the job was done by the seam bowlers and the spinners who bowled with accuracy and guile. Hats off to the marauding Tigers.
Zabed Wali
Pahartali, Chittagong
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It once again proves that if we believe in ourselves we will be the winner.
Sazzad
On e-mail
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The win shows their calibre. They now have every ingredient available in becoming one of the future cricket giants.
Best of luck Tigers!
Shahid Hussain
Rawalpindi Pakistan
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Superb! Bangladesh, keep it up. The so-called minnows have shown that they cannot and should not be taken for granted. The match has added a new flavour to the World Cup.
Ashik
On e-mail
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Those who thought that Bangladesh’s qualification was a freak have some food for thought. They have now beaten India and South Africa in the space of a couple of weeks.
That race for the fourth semi-final place is getting very interesting with South Africa looking increasingly vulnerable.
Sabrina Sikander
California, USA
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This match just goes on to prove the obvious — the win against India was not a fluke neither an upset. This match confirms Bangladesh as a team with the skills and the brains to defeat bigger teams than Zimbabwe and Kenya. Go Bangladesh!
A Bangladeshi
On e-mail
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Brilliant performance from the Bangladesh team. They deserve to be in the Super Eight, and they have answered to those who argued that their qualification has made the World Cup quite predictable!
Tarique Arman
Dhaka
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I always think that the Tigers could beat England and the West Indies. Just wait and see.
Tahmid
Dhaka
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Excellent team work and positive cricket by Bangladesh. This match is the third upset of the current World Cup. It is clear that whoever is over-confident against a weaker side could suffer like Pakistan, India and South Africa.
Zubair Khan
On e-mail
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Great match, Tigers. I am really impressed with those new fellows in the team. And importantly, our players didn’t get intimidated by the South Africans.
Khairul Nabid
On e-mail
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This World Cup is really a freaky one — Bob Woolmer’s murder, no crowds at all,
Malinga getting a double-hat trick, India and Pakistan kicked out during the first round, Irish and Bangladeshis scaring the big shots.
What will be in store for the rest of the
tournament?
Ekram
On e-mail
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Absolutely delighted for Bangladesh –– let no one refer to them as minnows again! Excellent play, with skill, heart and panache. What on earth happened to South Africa? They seemed to lose the will to live.
Zaman Rahman
Dhanmondi, Dhaka
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Tigers have proven the fact that they are in the Super Eight due to NO fluke! They deserve to be there and look very similar to the Sri Lankan side of 1995... just before achieving the World Cup!
Kalpana Saha
USA
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Now the world KNOWS the Tigers can beat anyone though lots of commentators and writers assume the otherwise!
Sahib
On e-mail
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Superb stuff but not unbelievable. Bangladesh is showing what they actually are capable of doing. West Indies and England must have
got the message. I won’t be surprised if the Tigers make it to the semis. Good luck, Bangladesh.
Jahangir Alam
On e-mail
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South Africa grossly underestimated their opponent Bangladesh and became a victim of their over-confidence. Bangladesh did not have any thing to lose and therefore were focused and determined to give their best performance. And they did it with an over to spare.
Azizul Haque
Dhaka
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It just shows to the world how competitive Bangladesh team can be on a given day. If you have good score on board, get some early wickets, anything is possible. If Bangladesh keep the momentum, I expect to see more upsets, eventually to sneak into last 4!
Imran Ahmed
On e-mail
