Mumbai: On March 26, 1971 – Bangladesh was born. On Thursday, March 19, 2015 – a week before their 44th ‘Independence Day’ – they have another renaissance moment. This time, in the world of sport, when they take on Team India in their first-ever quarterfinal appearance in a World Cup. Former captain Habibul Bashar, under whose leadership the Tigers defeated India in ICC World Cup 2007, says a collective performance is required to overcome the unstoppable Men in Blue.
“As a former captain and being a part of the team for a long time, it is a special feeling to see them come this far. They’re just two matches away from the final. But India is a strong side. They are playing a different brand of cricket altogether. Even their bowling (criticised earlier) and fielding have improved,” says Bashar.
“No single player can do this. To beat such a team, everyone needs to stand up and deliver,” he adds.
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Holding the 42-year-old’s hands, youngsters like Mushfiqur Rahim, Mashrafe Mortaza and Shakib Al Hasan dared to dream. Under Bashar, Bangladesh attained their first Test win (against Zimbabwe) and also beat giants Australia and South Africa apart from India.
“When we beat India in 2007, we never had a plan. We knew they were a strong unit but we were more concerned about putting up our best performance. That worked for us. But once it happened, it took a long time for the feeling to sink in,” recalls Bashar.
The Tigers had bowled India out for 191 and chased it down in 48.3 overs with five wickets in hand. Only Sourav Ganguly (66) and Yuvraj Singh (47) shone with the bat for the Rahul Dravid-led side. Mortaza picked up four wickets.
Later, Tamim Iqbal (51), Rahim (56 not out) and Hasan (53) slammed half-centuries to guide Bangladesh home.
“We’d beaten India before, but never in a World Cup. We sensed victory once we stopped them at 191. The celebration still rings in my ears. Nobody was coming out of the dressing room. After that day, our respect for each other reached an all new pedestal,” says Bashar, who retired from all forms in 2008.
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Talking about India’s sudden surge after a poor triangular series Down Under, Bashar says that the team probably learnt from mistakes.
“Though they were losing in the triangular series, but I think they were also getting acclimatised which helped them when it mattered the most. India learnt from their struggle. The team management did a fantastic job. They are not repeating the mistakes they made earlier,” adds Bashar, whose last Test was against South Africa where a young Dale Steyn got him out.
However, among bowlers, Rubel Hossain – the team’s latest sensation on and off the pitch – and Mortaza are his go-to players.
“Whenever Mortaza did well, the team has won. Though Rubel is a bit expensive, he is a wicket-taking bowler. He was either too full or too short but he is bowling the perfect length in this World Cup,” he says.
Whether the Tigers create history or not, the bonhomie between the nations is unmatched.
“Our players feel comfortable playing against India. They like Team India. It is more or less the same culture. We are neighbouring countries after all. Hence, many things are similar between us,” asserts Bashar.
