The New Nation - Internet Edition

BANGLADESH cricketers usually are a most abused lot most of the time for their underperformance. But when they do win, which is infrequent, they also become the centre of the nation's admiration. Success in the popular sport of cricket at the highly competitive international stage, pulsates millions of hearts and is counted as a sort of manifestation of national pride. Thus, the cricketers whenever they win against any giant of the cricketing world, are treated like heroes.

But a number of our cricketers who are otherwise famous for their sporting skills, found themselves at the receiving end of wrath and indignation for joining the Indian Cricket League (ICL) for money forgetting their duty to the national team. But even in such a situation some youngsters have made the nation proud through their brilliant performance. Reportedly, offers came also to a number of top performers of the cricket squad now playing against the visiting New Zealand side, to join ICL. The offers were rejected by them and this showed the depth of their commitment to the national cause.

The local boys have so far created attractive cricket against the New Zealanders by winning a one-dayer and coming close to winning another. Although they lost the Chittagong Test to New Zealand, which won by three wickets, the match created a lot of excitement and the local side was the hot favourites from day one till the second session of the fifth day. The pain of losing the match is great but one should realise that cricket is a game of glorious uncertainty. The important thing to note was whether the Bangladesh cricketers played well. They not only played well but also kept their rivals under huge pressure and the cricket lovers under great suspense. The players did not fail the organisers and their fans. They should keep it up.