Dhaka, (Barta24.com): One question arises. What is the difference between the World Cup(WC) of 1999 and WC of 2019.
The answer was like this. In 1999 Bangladesh had gone to WC just as a participant. But this time they are going as an aspirant to occupy the much coveted position in the cricket world. Captain Mashrafe though described it as tough but not impossible. He said that to enter semi final stage is very challenging. However nothing is impossible.
Mashrafe said that this time the format of WC has changed. Earlier at group stage to defeat a big team was enough. In that format the defeated one had to face tough challenge to make a come back. This time we are to play nine matches at group level. Under this format the teams who are going to WC for playing semi- final they have enough chances to stage come back even they losses few matches in group level. We must be careful about it.
This is the sixth World Cup of Bangladesh. Earlier in last five tournaments Bangladesh observed many ups and downs. In the inaugural WC of 1999 Bangladesh surprised the whole cricket world by defeating a formidable Pakistan team. Bangladesh also won against Scotland. In the inaugural WC proud Bangladesh returned with the satisfaction of winning two matches.
But history reversed in 2003 WC when Bangladesh conceded defeats against Canada and Kenya. Bangladesh wants to erase that painful memory of 2003.
In 2007 Bangladesh gave another surprise. Giant India conceded defeat to Bangladesh. Practically the luck of India was sealed by conceding defeat to Bangladesh. In that WC tournament Bangladesh entered into super eight for the first time. Bangladesh also created surprise by defeating strong contender South Africa.
In 2011 World Cup the performance of Bangladesh was both good and bad. Bangladesh won three matches in the whole tournament. Bangladeshcreated a sensation by defeating England. But Bangladesh created a shameful history making records by scoring only 58 against West Indies and 78 against South Africa.
Bangladesh began its 2015 campaign by defeating Afghanistan. The door of possibilities was opened when they shared points with Australia for when the match was marred by rain. Bangladesh signed her name in Quarter final by defeating England at Adelaide.
Bangladesh met India in the last eight. Owing to a controversial decision of the umpire Bangladesh conceded defeat. Indian batsman Rohit Sharma was caught of Rubel Hossain at the boundary line. The ball was adjudged ‘no ball’ as ‘beamer’ by the field umpire.
That Rohit later on scored a century in the match causing an unfortunate defeat for Bangladesh. But the TV replay showed that the ball was well below the waist height so it cannot be a beamer. However Bangladesh earned much applauses of the cricket world in 2015 World Cup. They showed their heroic presence by dictating the defeat of cricket aristocrat England. It was a ballad of heroic deeds.
The determination they showed four years back this time they want to push it forward. The dream is very big this time but not impossible. The route is though tough.
Another thing we must remember that Bangladesh was born in a difficult way and winning an uneven battle.