By Mehran Shamit
Reporter
TORONTO, Canada – At a time when my
homeland of Bangladesh fell into despair, because our leaders could no longer
give us anything to hope for or believe in, Bangladesh got into the Asia Cup
final.
homeland of Bangladesh fell into despair, because our leaders could no longer
give us anything to hope for or believe in, Bangladesh got into the Asia Cup
final.
We started to believe again and raise
our hopes.
But Bangladesh was left heartbroken
after coming extremely close to winning the Asia Cup in an electrifying match
with Pakistan at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur, Dhaka.
after coming extremely close to winning the Asia Cup in an electrifying match
with Pakistan at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur, Dhaka.
Bangladesh’s dream of winning theAsia Cup for the first time ever in the history of cricket was shattered after
a 2-run loss to Pakistan, a nation that has now captured the prize for the
second time.
This tournament was historic for
Bangladesh. It’s the first time Bangladesh – after fearlessly beating the
current world champions India and Sri Lanka – qualified for the Asia Cup final.
Bangladesh. It’s the first time Bangladesh – after fearlessly beating the
current world champions India and Sri Lanka – qualified for the Asia Cup final.
Even though Bangladesh was defeated
in the most painful and heartbreaking circumstances, we need to acknowledge the
outstanding performances of the Bangladeshi players in this tournament and give
them the recognition that they deserve.
in the most painful and heartbreaking circumstances, we need to acknowledge the
outstanding performances of the Bangladeshi players in this tournament and give
them the recognition that they deserve.
Cricket may seem like just a sport to
some, but it is a huge deal for Bangladeshis.
some, but it is a huge deal for Bangladeshis.
The entire country was hoping for a
win and I cannot begin to describe how extremely painful and emotional it was for me and all other Bangladeshis to
watch our country get defeated by only two runs, the narrowest
victory-margin ever at the Asia Cup.
win and I cannot begin to describe how extremely painful and emotional it was for me and all other Bangladeshis to
watch our country get defeated by only two runs, the narrowest
victory-margin ever at the Asia Cup.
People in the stadium, including the
Bangladeshi players, were in tears. After seeing my country lose in such a
close match it was very difficult for me to resist my own tears. Yes, it would
be amazing to see Bangladesh win its biggest victory in cricketing history on
home soil, but we cannot keep worrying about what should have been done to win
the Asia Cup.
Bangladeshi players, were in tears. After seeing my country lose in such a
close match it was very difficult for me to resist my own tears. Yes, it would
be amazing to see Bangladesh win its biggest victory in cricketing history on
home soil, but we cannot keep worrying about what should have been done to win
the Asia Cup.
Beating world champions and becoming
the second best cricket team in Asia is a huge accomplishment and Bangladeshis
have to remember that. Throughout the entire tournament Bangladesh played
tremendously well with strong results and really proved their skills.
the second best cricket team in Asia is a huge accomplishment and Bangladeshis
have to remember that. Throughout the entire tournament Bangladesh played
tremendously well with strong results and really proved their skills.
There were many highlights for
Bangladesh at this tournament. Among the highlights of this match, Tamim
Iqbal became the first batsman ever to score four half-centuries in a row at
the Asia Cup and Shakib Al Hasan scored three half-centuries.
Bangladesh at this tournament. Among the highlights of this match, Tamim
Iqbal became the first batsman ever to score four half-centuries in a row at
the Asia Cup and Shakib Al Hasan scored three half-centuries.
Shakib Al Hasan
then went on to win the Player of the Tournament award for his impressive
overall performance in the Asia Cup. Bangladesh skipper Mushfiqur Rahim also did a very good job
of leading the team in this tournament.
then went on to win the Player of the Tournament award for his impressive
overall performance in the Asia Cup. Bangladesh skipper Mushfiqur Rahim also did a very good job
of leading the team in this tournament.
Bangladesh’s impressive performance
gave the heavyweights a run for their money and this will definitely leave a
lasting impression.
gave the heavyweights a run for their money and this will definitely leave a
lasting impression.
Coming into the tournament as the
underdog, Bangladesh proved that its cricket team is truly one of the world’s elite.
The way that the players performed showed a completely different side of
Bangladeshi cricket and the new heights it is capable of reaching.
underdog, Bangladesh proved that its cricket team is truly one of the world’s elite.
The way that the players performed showed a completely different side of
Bangladeshi cricket and the new heights it is capable of reaching.
Bangladesh will certainly never be
regarded as a lightweight contender again.
regarded as a lightweight contender again.
This tournament marks a new era for
Bangladeshi cricket and we should look forward to exceptional performances like
this from Bangladesh in all the coming matches and tournaments.
Bangladeshi cricket and we should look forward to exceptional performances like
this from Bangladesh in all the coming matches and tournaments.
Bangladeshi players should be very
proud of what they have achieved and know that they have brought tremendous pride
to all Bangladeshis. No matter what the result is, we believe in you and will
always support you.
proud of what they have achieved and know that they have brought tremendous pride
to all Bangladeshis. No matter what the result is, we believe in you and will
always support you.
Pakistan may have won the Asia Cup,
but Bangladeshi players won the hearts of millions of people and brought pride
to our country.
but Bangladeshi players won the hearts of millions of people and brought pride
to our country.
Our team did not let us down, but made
us proud on an international scale.
us proud on an international scale.
This defeat is only the beginning for
Bangladesh. Next time we will be the champions, whether it is Asia or the World.
Bangladesh. Next time we will be the champions, whether it is Asia or the World.
