Chennai: No victory is sweeter for a country than the one they score over their neighbours. Not surprisingly, Bangladesh are over the moon after registering their maiden series triumph — in any format against India with an emphatic win on Sunday to go 2-0 up in the three-match ODI series. Habibul Bashar has been a constant for Bangladesh in all their important wins over India in the last decade. Even though he wasn’t out on the field on Sunday, the 42-year-old still could derive some satisfaction from the Bangla Tigers’ historic feat because he is one of the national selectors.
Bashar, who was at the helm of Bangladesh when they shocked India at the 2007 World Cup, is thrilled at the achievement of his compatriots. In an interview to Deccan Chronicle, Bashar said he is confident that more Bangladeshi cricketers would earn IPL contracts after “proving their worth against the best.”
Excerpts:
Q) Did you expect such a result? Is the series win your country’s biggest achievement?
Going by the way our boys played against Pakistan, we were certainly confident of beating India. It wasn’t a surprise. But the margin of victory in both matches was unexpected. Beating India is no joke and not many can do it in back to back matches in the subcontinent conditions. This is indeed a big achievement.
Q) Instead of fielding a second-string team as they usually do, India sent their full-strength squad to Bangladesh. Was it an indication that the Indians were wary of Bangladesh?
Last time they sent an inexperienced squad and still beat us. I must also admit that we had fared poorly then. But this time around it was a different ball game. We had a terrific run at the World Cup, had blanked Pakistan 3-0 and India probably knew we had improved. I want to thank India for fielding their best team. Had we beaten a second-string Indian team, people back in India would have pointed out that it was a depleted squad. I’m pleased that we were able to prove our worth against the best.
Q) In 2007, it was under your leadership the likes of Mortaza, Shakib and Rahim came of age. Now your selection team has unearthed Litton Das, Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman. You have an eye for talent…
It’s not that they are thrown into the ring all of a sudden. They have been impressive not only in their age groups but have also proved themselves at first-class level. We always try to give opportunities to youth. The policy is evidently working. I’m glad that the current youngsters have justified their selection to follow in the footsteps of Mortaza, Shakib and Rahim.
Q) Do you think this performance will help more Bangladeshi cricketers get into IPL?
I certainly hope a few get into the IPL. Though we have the Bangladesh Premier League T20, where our boys rub shoulders with a few foreign players, it isn’t the same as the IPL. An IPL contract will not only help them financially; they can also learn so much from the world’s top cricketers.
Q) From a team that solely banked on spinners to a unit boasting excellent, young pace bowlers, how did you achieve the transformation?
Our pace attack left a lot to be desired even a couple of years ago. We clearly lacked talent. In addition, injuries dogged some of our pacers. Becoming a batsman or a bowler is the dream of many youngsters in the subcontinent. But we were able to achieve a change in mindset by producing sporting wickets throughout the country. We also conducted special camps for pace bowlers in many places. Taskin and Mustafizur came to prominence from such camps.
Q) Brief us on the domestic set-up in Bangladesh:
Our Premier League is a 50-over competition. It’s played at club level. We have first division matches and a tournament similar to the Ranji Trophy in India — the Bangladesh Cricket League — is in existence for the last two years. Das came to the fore through the Premier League and the Bangladesh Cricket League. At the moment, things are looking bright for Bangladeshi cricket.
