It's Been a Long, Hard Road for Bangladesh but Let's Enjoy Emergence of a New Competitive Test Nation
The Cricket Paper|November 04,2016

Tim Wigmore is thrilled by the ascent of former Associates nation Bangladesh back to winning ways in Tests.

Tim Wigmore
It's Been a Long, Hard Road for Bangladesh but Let's Enjoy Emergence of a New Competitive Test Nation

Bangladesh is a nation created in the shadow of war. After a brutal conflict, East Pakistan gained liberation from West Pakistan in December 1971. This new country was the seventh most populous nation in the world, yet was ravaged by the horrors of war, and years of neglect at the hands of West Pakistan.

When Bangladesh was formed, Abdul Kardar, the former Pakistan Test captain and Pakistan’s representative in the International Cricket Conference, the forerunner to the International Cricket Council, proposed that Bangladesh were admitted to Test cricket.

As part of East Pakistan, Bangladesh had regularly hosted Tests, in Dhaka – indeed, Pakistan’s very first Test at home was played there, in front of 80,000 over five days – and had a palpable relish for the game. Kardar’s suggestion was politely rejected. And so, while Bangladesh struggled with terrible economic turmoil in its nascent years as a nation, it was denied an international cricket team, and shunned by most of the cricketing world.

Robin Marlar, a Sussex player turned journalist who would later be MCC president, repeatedly drew attention to their sad plight –“Bengali cricket is numerically strong,” he wrote, declaring Dhaka “a Test match ground fit to rank with any in the world.” Few listened. When the inaugural World Cup took place in 1975, there was no system of qualification, and Bangladesh were not invited.

A lack of enthusiasm for cricket was never Bangladesh’s problem. A debilitating absence of funding, opportunity and infrastructure was. During the early years of the Bangladesh Board, the phone line rarely worked. The humanitarian and socio-economic crisis in Bangladesh was such that the Dhaka Premier League could not take place in 1972; it had to be abandoned halfway through the 1973 season.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der November 04,2016-Ausgabe von The Cricket Paper.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der November 04,2016-Ausgabe von The Cricket Paper.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS THE CRICKET PAPERAlle anzeigen
Kohli leads RCB to much-needed win
The Cricket Paper

Kohli leads RCB to much-needed win

VIRAT KOHLI returned to top form with 72 not out to lead RCB to an eight-wicket victory over the Royals in Abu Dhabi.

time-read
3 Minuten  |
October 04, 2020
TEWATIA HAS SPARKED MY LOVE AFFAIR WITH THE IPL
The Cricket Paper

TEWATIA HAS SPARKED MY LOVE AFFAIR WITH THE IPL

James Wallace admits he has been surprisingly taken in by the IPL so far – and, in particular, the performance of a new Royal renegade

time-read
4 Minuten  |
October 04, 2020
Whitewash victory is just the T20 tonic for Keightley
The Cricket Paper

Whitewash victory is just the T20 tonic for Keightley

A SERIES that few thought would come to fruition ended in triumph for England who completed a 5-0 whitewash of the West Indies in Derby.

time-read
4 Minuten  |
October 04, 2020
TEN OUT OF TEN! RYAN IS BASKING IN MORE GLORY
The Cricket Paper

TEN OUT OF TEN! RYAN IS BASKING IN MORE GLORY

Chris Stocks catches up with Ryan ten Doeschate, who has plotted Essex’s recent county domination every step of the way

time-read
5 Minuten  |
October 04, 2020
Surrey have the Will to end hoodoo
The Cricket Paper

Surrey have the Will to end hoodoo

WILL Jacks may be a hot batting prospect but he’s relished the added responsibility with the ball in Surrey’s charge to T20 Finals Day.

time-read
3 Minuten  |
October 04, 2020
NOW IT'S OUR TIME TO HELP OTHERS
The Cricket Paper

NOW IT'S OUR TIME TO HELP OTHERS

Chris Stocks catches up with England’s director of cricket and discusses the need for the ECB to help boards around the world

time-read
4 Minuten  |
October 04, 2020
IT'S OFTEN DOWN TO A THROW OF THE DICE
The Cricket Paper

IT'S OFTEN DOWN TO A THROW OF THE DICE

Garfield Robinson explains just how big a part luck plays in determining success or failure in sport

time-read
6 Minuten  |
October 04, 2020
FINDING TALENTS LIKE TOM IS A GAIN IN ITSELF
The Cricket Paper

FINDING TALENTS LIKE TOM IS A GAIN IN ITSELF

One of the unexpected highlights to emerge from English cricket’s Covid-attenuated season was the chance given to young players to strut their stuff. With many overseas players and Kolpaks affected by travel restrictions many counties looked instead to the young talent on their staffs with gratifying results.

time-read
5 Minuten  |
October 04, 2020
Future looks bright for the Ohio Slinger
The Cricket Paper

Future looks bright for the Ohio Slinger

ALI Khan is earning his stars and stripes in the Indian Premier League, with the first American to play in the tournament breaking down barriers in every sense.

time-read
3 Minuten  |
October 04, 2020
Spin trio put squeeze on after Glenn shows off skill with the bat
The Cricket Paper

Spin trio put squeeze on after Glenn shows off skill with the bat

SARAH GLENN helped England spin it to win it after proving she can make an all-round contribution.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
September 27, 2020