For Bangladesh cricket fans, the sting of the Tigers' early ouster from the 2023 ICC World Cup might still linger. But a broader look at the year reveals a different story, one of steady progress and improved performance.
Having endured a 2022 campaign marked by 17 victories in 46 international matches, 2023 saw the Tigers claw their way back into contention. The team upped its game, taking on 49 matches and clinching 24 wins, translating to a significant jump in win percentage – from 37% in 2022 to a commanding 49% this year (this stat does not include the last T20I between Bangladesh and New Zealand on December 31, 2023).
This upward trajectory speaks volumes about the Tigers' growing maturity and resolve. They have battled seasoned opponents with renewed vigor, showcasing their talent across formats. While the World Cup might not have lived up to expectations, the overall picture for Bangladeshi cricket in 2023 is one of positive strides and increasing promise.
From Early Doubts to Determined Force:
The dawn of 2023 brought anxieties for Bangladesh's ODI fortunes. Facing the formidable England on home turf, the Tigers stumbled to two consecutive defeats, raising questions about their comfort in the format. The 132-run loss in the second match felt like a gut punch, solidifying these doubts.
But the then captain Tamim Iqbal's men had other plans. They channeled the home crowd's electrifying support in Chattogram, erupting in a 50-run victory against England in the third ODI. This win set the stage for a remarkable winning streak.
Following the win in Chattogram against England, Bangladesh embarked on an eight-match winning streak across formats on home soil— until Ireland flattened them in a T20I encounter.
After that defeat, Bangladesh won four matches on the trot, including a staggering 546-run victory against Afghanistan, who are now considered a tough opponent for any team in the world.
Tamim's 24-Hour Retirement Shock:
In the midst of the Afghanistan series, Tamim abruptly announced his retirement from all forms of international cricket. Tears streamed down his face as he announced the decision, hinting at internal tensions within the team management. Whispers about his fitness comments and subsequent clashes with board president Nazmul Hasan swirled, but no explicit reason was given.
However, the curtain on this drama fell surprisingly quickly. Within 24 hours, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina intervened, and Tamim, with considerable reluctance, withdrew his retirement. He would step away for a break, extending his absence till the Asia Cup, which he ultimately missed. Injury concerns, disputed by Tamim, became the official reason for his World Cup absence, adding a layer of ambiguity to the saga.
Shakib's Critique Fuels Tamim's Lack of Professionalism Debate:
On the eve of the World Cup, Shakib Al Hasan reignited the Tamim controversy in a television interview. He publicly questioned his teammate's professionalism, igniting a firestorm of debate nationwide. The interview became the most watched program on the channel, with social media amplifying the divide between Tamim supporters and detractors.
Critics claimed the interview created a volatile atmosphere, potentially contributing to Bangladesh's disappointing World Cup performance. Winning only two of nine matches, the Tigers fell short of expectations, leaving lingering questions about the impact of these off-field distractions on their focus and unity.
The Tamim-Shakib controversy remains an unresolved chapter in Bangladesh's 2023 cricketing story. While the on-field achievements deserve applause, the internal conflicts and public drama paint a complex picture of a year marked by turbulence as much as triumph.
Bangladesh's World Cup Disappointment:
Starting strong with a win against Afghanistan, Bangladesh's World Cup campaign quickly crumbled. Seven defeats, including an 87-run loss to the Netherlands, whom they typically dominate, marked a dismal performance, the worst in their cricketing history. Captain Shakib, visibly heartbroken, called it a "worst World Cup performance," a stark contrast to the early optimism.
Further controversy flared when Shakib returned to Dhaka for batting practice with his childhood coach during the tournament. This raised questions about Shakib’s trust on the coaching staff. The incident, coupled with Shakib's earlier criticism of teammate Tamim Iqbal, painted a picture of potential internal disharmony.
Whether these off-field issues directly impacted the on-field catastrophe remains unclear. However, the timing of Shakib's actions and the team's subsequent downfall fueled the narrative of a fractured dressing room struggling with internal conflict.
The 2023 World Cup will be etched in Bangladesh's cricketing memory as a missed opportunity and a source of disappointment. Moving forward, the Tigers face the dual challenge of addressing their technical deficiencies and mending any internal fractures to rise from the ashes of this disastrous performance.
Young Tigers Roar with U-19 Triumph in Asia Cup:
Bangladesh's cricketing future shines bright, illuminated by the recent achievements of its young guns. In 2023, the nation witnessed the historic rise of the U-19 squad, who captured their first-ever Asia Cup title. This victory, coming on the heels of their 2020 World Cup win, underscores the consistent caliber of talent produced by Bangladesh's cricketing pipeline. It's a testament to the system's ability to deliver future stars who will continue to elevate the country's cricketing standing.
Bangladesh Tigresses’ Victories Mark a Stellar Year:
The year 2023 saw Bangladesh's women's cricket team weaving a narrative of resilience and triumph. While early setbacks in the T20 World Cup and a series of losses in Sri Lanka cast shadows, the Tigresses roared back on home soil with a historic first-ever ODI victory against cricketing giant India. This landmark achievement, along with a bronze medal in the T20I category at the Asian Games and subsequent victories over Pakistan, cemented their rising prominence in the global arena.
Individual brilliance also marked the year. Fargana Hoque's record-breaking ODI centuries and Shorna Akter's meteoric rise in South Africa further highlighted the depth and potential of the squad. Although losses were encountered, the overall South Africa tour proved a resounding success. The consistent form of Fargana and Nahida in ODIs, coupled with skipper Nigar Sultana Joty's leadership in T20Is, paints a picture of a team brimming with talent and ready to rewrite the record books.
Breaking the New Zealand Barrier: Bangladesh Ends 2023 on a High Note
For Bangladesh cricket, white-ball victories in New Zealand had long been the elusive Holy Grail. Until, that is, the waning moments of 2023, when the Tigers finally shattered the drought in dramatic fashion.
Led by a young and determined team – with veteran Mushfiqur Rahim as the lone senior figure and Najmul Hossain Shanto stepping up as captain in Shakib's absence – Bangladesh arrived in New Zealand with a singular ambition: rewrite history. And rewrite it they did, in scintillating style.
The third ODI in Napier witnessed the breakthrough Bangladesh craved. Years of frustration melted away as they secured a historic victory, the first-ever white-ball win against the Kiwis on their soil. The momentum carried over into the T20I series, where Shanto's men sealed the opening match, adding another feather to their impressive cap.
Ending the year on such a triumphant note served as a potent symbol of Bangladeshi cricket's unwavering spirit and burgeoning potential. The New Zealand conquest, born from the hunger of youth and the leadership of a rising star in Shanto, marked a significant turning point in their cricketing journey. As they step into 2024, the Tigers carry the lessons learned and the confidence earned, ready to rewrite more chapters in their cricketing narrative.
ARS
