A modest year for Men, Women-Youth bring glory

"2023 will be the greatest year in the history of Bangladesh cricket. I wholeheartedly believe that Bangladesh will achieve lots of success in all formats," the poster boy of Bangladesh cricket Shakib Al Hasan came up with these remarks in an interview at the end of 2022. However, Shakib's words did not prove true. Despite some success in the bilateral series, the year was very disappointing for the Tigers as well as its supporters. As 2023 was the year of the World Cup, the success or failure of the team will depend on the performance of the World Cup. Bangladesh was completely outclassed in the 50-over World Cup on Indian soil. Although the men's team did not shine, the women's cricket team played brilliantly. Nigar Sultana Joty and Co have achieved new milestones throughout the year. However, the Bangladesh U-19 team has surpassed everyone in terms of success. Bangladesh celebrated the joy of conquering Asia in the late part of the year, for the greatest performance of the youth.

Morning shows the day - the proverb is not always true. Although the start of the year was fantastic, the Tigers lost momentum with the passage of time. England visited Bangladesh in March when they were the world champions in both T20 and ODI formats. Bangladesh lost the series after losing the first two ODIs. However, Bangladesh won by 50 runs in the third and final ODI of the series. This victory gave confidence to the Bangladeshi cricketers. Later in the three-match T20 series, Bangladesh whitewashed the current champions England.

Another European team - Ireland - came to Bangladesh in March. The Tigers won the ODI series 2-0 against the Irish on home soil. After that, the team Tigers clinched the T20I series 2-1. Bangladesh was also victorious in the only Test of the tour. The Test dominance continued in the home series against Afghanistan. Mirpur She-E-Bangla stadium, the Home of Cricket, is regarded as the den of the Tigers. Bangladeshi Tigers once again wrote a new history there. They won the Test against the Afghans by a huge margin of a record 546 runs, thanks to Najmul Hossain Shanto. The southpaw scored centuries in both innings (146 and 124).

The ODI series against Afghanistan in July was embarrassing for Bangladesh. Bangladesh were outclassed by Rashid Khan & Co in their own backyard, losing the series 2-1. The then ODI captain Tamim Iqbal Khan suddenly announced his retirement from all forms of international cricket in the middle of this series. The country's best opener bid farewell to cricket in tears at a press conference in Chattagram, indicating the internal conflict of the team management. Board president Nazmul Hasan Papon's comment about Tamim's fitness is the reason for Tamim's decision to retire. However, Tamim did not clarify anything. The issue finally reached Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Tamim came out of retirement after the Prime Minister intervened.

The drama could have ended there, but it didn't. Rather, Tamim was kicked out of the World Cup squad due to differences between the BCB and Tamim. The Board made Shakib Al Hasan the captain of the World Cup team. Chief selector Minhajul Abedin Nannu showed the excuse of Tamim's injury, but Tamim himself said in a video message that he is fit. Meanwhile, Shakib made several comments about Tamim in a TV interview just before the World Cup, which many cricket lovers could not accept. So, 'Tamim was dropped because of Shakib' - social media was abuzz with such discussions throughout the World Cup.

Before the World Cup, the Hybrid Model Asia Cup started in late August. The Bangladesh team's performance in this event, held in Sri Lanka and Pakistan, was not up to the mark. Despite defeating the Afghans to reach the Super Four, Bangladesh lost to Sri Lanka twice in this tournament. They suffered a miserable defeat against Pakistan as well. However, Bangladesh beat India by 6 runs. Although this victory also came in a regulation match. India, who were already confirmed for the final, played in this match leaving out many stars of the original XI. So this victory could not fill the hearts of the Bangladeshi cricket fans.

The 2023 ODI World Cup started in India on October 5. Bangladesh finished the World Cup with extreme disappointment. They got 3 wins in 2007, 2011, 2015 and 2019 World Cup, but in 2023, Bangladesh managed to win only two matches. One against Afghanistan, and the other against Sri Lanka. Despite securing a place in the upcoming Champions League with a win against the Lankans, Bangladesh have been criticized for 'Timed Out' Angela Mathews. Besides, Bangladesh suffered huge defeats against India, England, New Zealand, Australia, Pakistan, and South Africa. Even, Bangladesh lost miserably to underdogs like the Netherlands.

Bangladesh have started anew under the leadership of Najmul Hossain Shanto after the World Cup. The young team beat superpower New Zealand in the Test at home (in Sylhet). This is the first Test victory against the Kiwis in Bangladesh. Shanto's team shared the series after losing the Dhaka Test. Then at the end of the year, Bangladesh went to New Zealand to play the ODI and T20 series. Great results there too - Bangladesh tasted ODI victory against the hosts on New Zealand soil despite losing the ODI series. After that, the representatives of red-green raised hopes of winning the series winning the first match of the three-match T20 series. However, the second match was abandoned due to rain and the series ended with a loss in the last match.

Meanwhile, the Bangladesh women's cricket team has had a great year. After the World Cup failure at the beginning of the year, Nigar Sultana Joty's team has made a great comeback. Bangladesh shared the ODI series against India, one of the powerhouses in women's cricket. Then, They got success in the Asian Games. The women's team won the bronze medal by defeating Pakistan. After the Asiad, Bangladesh girls won the T20 and ODI series against Pakistan at home as well. Tigresses won the T20 series by defeating Pakistan in Chattagram in October. Joty's team also won the ODI series by the same margin.

At the end of the year, the women's team toured South Africa to play a three-match ODI and T20I series. Tigresses started the tour with surprise. In the first T20 of the three-match series, Bangladesh beat the Protea girls, creating history. It was the first win for Bangladesh on South African soil. The second T20 match of the series was abandoned due to rain. In the third and final T20, the Tigresses lost to the hosts. The series ended in a 1-1 tie. Bengali girls shine in the ODI as well. They won against the Protea girls in the first ODI of the three-match series. However, the Tigresses lost the remaining two matches of the series.

Along with team achievements, women cricketers also had individual achievements throughout the year. Last July, Fargana Haque Pinki became the first Bangladeshi to score a century in ODIs. She later scored his second career century in the same series against the Proteas. On the other hand, Nahida Akhtar contributed with the ball in the great series win against Pakistan last November. He won the best player award of that series. He took 7 wickets in three matches at an average of just 14.14. Nahida did not stop there, she was also selected as ICC Player of the Month. The 23-year-old star made this feat as the first female cricketer in Bangladesh.

At the end of the year, the Bangladesh youth team grabbed all the limelight. The young boys of Bangladesh won the U-19 Asia Cup title by topping teams like Pakistan-India-Sri Lanka-Afghanistan. Bangladesh thrashed the hosts United Arab Emirates in the final in Dubai on December 17. Although the youth team has won the World Cup before, this is the first time to win the Asia Cup. However, there is no opportunity for the youth to be relaxed after conquering Asia. Under-19 World Cup will be held in South Africa from January 19 to February 11. The Junior Tigers won the 2020 World Cup title on Proteas soil. We expect, the youth will bring more honor to the country in the upcoming edition as well.