Bashar picks his best memories
It may be said that the 'fearless' version of the Tigers first appeared when Habibul Bashar led Bangladesh to a five-wicket make an impression on India at the Queen's Park Oval in Trinidad in the 2007 World Cup. Bangladesh had turned into a force to be reckoned with from then on historic win, which had knocked India out in the group stage. That was followed by a victory over the mighty South Africa in the Super Eight.
So, it was no real surprise that Bangladesh's most successful ODI skipper Mashrafe Bin Mortaza often put Bashar's achievements before his own. We're able to recall what Mashrafe said after overtaking Bashar as the utmost successful ODI captain for Bangladesh.
"If you look at Sumon [Bashar] bhai's wins, those should be considered as double. Because winning was very tough for all of us then," said Mashrafe.
Like Mashrafe, Bashar didn't hesitate to place his predecessors' achievements before his own, especially the 1997 ICC Trophy, which the former national skipper marked before every milestone in Bangladesh cricket.
The Tigers celebrate after their first-ever Test victory against Zimbabwe at the M. A. Aziz Stadium in Chattogram on January 10, 2005. Photo: AFP File
But still, whenever your mind falls memory lane, it always finds a few of your own sweet memories. "No, if you consider the time we've been passing as a result of concern with the coronavirus pandemic, I would not need to be bored. I never enjoy watching those matches [the 2007 World Cup wins] because both were one-sided affairs," Bashar said.
"If you are talking about historic importance then it's a different issue and I'll make a list that won't go with what I lead to this moment, as I wish to memorise those matches that provide me immense pleasure as a result of their competitiveness," he added.
Bashar was not prepared to consider the ultimate outcome of the matches when he requested to generate a top-10 set of Bangladesh's international matches.
"We lost the Multan Test in 2003 but I can still remember every moment and every twist of the match. This is a match you'll never get bored of watching. Same for the Fatullah Test against Australia in 2006, we lost but it was a match to keep in mind for us.
"Still, I can start to see the match we won in Harare in 2000, that was our first international fixture since attaining Test status, and what a thrilling finish it had been. The first-ever win against India in 2004 at the Bangabandhu National Stadium was something special in my mind, especially the crowd was amazing. The 2012 Asia Cup final, the Cardiff victory against Australia, the first Test win against Zimbabwe in 2005, the win against England in Adelaide in the 2015 World Cup are the matches with the qualities that produce an excellent cricket match. We may not often mention the ODI victory in Bulawayo in August, 2009 but I must say Tamim Iqbal was amazing in that match," he continued.
"However the 1997 ICC Trophy is above everything. You cannot compare any match with it. Nothing might have been more nice than watching those historic matches. Actually, I cannot explain my emotion when I believe about that time," Bashar said.
"I really believe our young stars will benefit by watching the matches I mentioned here during this unnecessary break," Bashar, who's also a national selector, suggested.
BASHAR'S Top 10
ICC Trophy, 1997: Bangladesh became champions by defeating Kenya in the final. The match was afflicted by rain and was played over two days. The Bangladesh target was set at 166 from 25 overs by the Duckworth-Lewis method. The Tigers reached the mark off the last ball of the match with two wickets at hand.
Multan Test, 2003: Bangladesh came very near their maiden Test win, and then be foiled by Inzamam-ul-Haq.
Harare ODI, 2004: Bangladesh won their first international fixture since obtaining Test status in 2000 by a thrilling eight-run margin. With 13 runs to guard in the ultimate over, Tareq Aziz bowled Stuart Matsikenyeri and Douglas Hondo off consecutive deliveries to prompt scenes of unfettered joy in the Bangladeshi dressing-room.
Dhaka ODI, 2004: Bangladesh pulled off a historic first ODI victory at home and in addition their first-ever win against India at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.
Cardiff ODI, 2005: In Sophia Gardens, Bangladesh earned the respect of the cricketing world, beating the mighty Australia by five wickets. Mohammad Ashraful's brilliantly paced 100, from 101 balls, kept the Tigers on course throughout.
First Test Win, 2005: On home soil, Bangladesh won the two-match series against Zimbabwe 1-0 with one Test drawn. This is the first time within their history, when Bangladesh had won both a Test match and a Test series.
Fatullah Test, 2006: Bangladesh nearly caused an enormous upset in the first Test of the series, and then be denied by Australian captain Ricky Ponting, who scored an unbeaten 118 in the next innings as the visiting team won by 3 wickets.
Bulawayo ODI, 2009: Charles Coventry made an unbeaten 194 but his effort was overshadowed by Tamim Iqbal, who scored a match-winning 154.
Asia Cup Final, 2012: Pakistan stunned Bangladesh in a last-ball thriller to win by 2 runs at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
World Cup 2015: In Adelaide, England were knocked from the tournament as Bangladesh claimed a stunning 15-run win to book a place in the quarterfinals of the World Cup for the first time in their history.
