Has Bangladesh finally shed away the minnows tag?

[stevewittry]

Two big wins in games - high pressure run chases, one of them a 200+ chase - a score they never breached in their entire history and then this dramatic last over finish.

These are the type of wins they have been failing to achieve time and again, despite demonstrating potential. However, now that they have started winning games in high pressure situations and also having a team of quality batsmen plus Fizz, Robel, Mehendi and Shakib as decent bowling options, this new age Bangla team is finally fulfilling the potential they have shown lately.

Can we now safely say that they have shed their minnows tag and can be more than competitive against top teams ? Your thoughts?

 

[Sherlock]

Do we have to do this every-time they win a game? Do you gloss over the losses and only look at how they perform when they win?

The simple answer is no. The shorter answer is

 

[Executioner]

Lol wut this was a T20 win

I thought we already shed the minnow tag after qualifying for championship knockouts and beating top teams at home

 

[rhony]

Two big wins in games - high pressure run chases, one of them a 200+ chase - a score they never breached in their entire history and then this dramatic last over finish.

These are the type of wins they have been failing to achieve time and again, despite demonstrating potential. However, now that they have started winning games in high pressure situations and also having a team of quality batsmen plus Fizz, Robel, Mehendi and Shakib as decent bowling options, this new age Bangla team is finally fulfilling the potential they have shown lately.

Can we now safely say that they have shed their minnows tag and can be more than competitive against top teams ? Your thoughts?

Nobody thinks they are a minnow anymore except their fans. Every win is celebrated as if it's a world cup win and a loss is treated as a death of cricket in the country. I understand the sentiment in this series with the SL coach and the SL series win in BD recently, but overall the fans should take it easy a bit

 

[Nil Dhumrojal]

Hahaha...lol at these type of threads. BD is not minnow any more but sometimes their behavior is minnow type.

 

[Spectrum]

They are no more minnows in limited overs cricket..Surely the 3rd best asian team after India and Pakistan. And they are improving in tests too. But I'll rank them 4th best asian test nation.

 

[Dingolfy]

Two big wins in games - high pressure run chases, one of them a 200+ chase - a score they never breached in their entire history and then this dramatic last over finish.

These are the type of wins they have been failing to achieve time and again, despite demonstrating potential. However, now that they have started winning games in high pressure situations and also having a team of quality batsmen plus Fizz, Robel, Mehendi and Shakib as decent bowling options, this new age Bangla team is finally fulfilling the potential they have shown lately.

Can we now safely say that they have shed their minnows tag and can be more than competitive against top teams ? Your thoughts?

Its T20 and those two matches were against hapless Lankans who themselves are minnows now.

 

[Mainul]

Bangladesh is not a minnow anymore.Bit they still have habit of making an easy match difficult.These two wins will be a huge confident booster.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Nopes. Still minnows.

 

[BlackShadow]

No, but they are strong for being minnows. Can't be taken lightly.

 

[GLORY OF '92]

Nooooo

 

[TM Riddle]

Still Minnows for me.
It's Bangladesh FGS. What is wrong with y'all?

 

[Justcrazy]

In 20 20 no team is minnow . On a day anyone can beat any team

 

[blue_champion]

They are not total minnows in LOIs in Subcontinent...in Odis they are better than Pakistan and in T20s they are better than Srilanka in these conditions...in tests and overseas yes they are out and out minnows

 

[Majestic]

I think so.

 

[srh]

Only Indians think of Bangladesh as minnows.

 

[Rishta Aunty]

Don't think Bangladesh are minnows at all. Afghanistan in their current state could be considered minnows. But even they beat the Windies, who were the eventual champions in the T20 World Cup 2016.

The point at which you actually value beating a time, means they are no longer minnows. I think every time Pakistan play Bangladesh, I desperately want them to win and value the positive result. That tells me they aren't minnows.

 

[MMHS]

In T20 definitely - we are behind AFG's guys in ranking table. For Test, we'll compete at home against non Asian sides, but would do worse than anyone outside - so, border line minnow I can say. 9th out of 10 doesn't look good, when the 10th in Mughabe's ZIM. But, at home, we are a decent Test side.

In ODI, we are actually better than minnow and that's not only at home condition. Team did make CT SF, WC QF in UK & AUS.

Overs all, if we consider that only 10-12 countries play this game seriously and in half of them, it's a declining sports, I have to consider us to be minnow - may be best of the lot, but still better teams will take a loss against us as a bad day and won't fear for the next game.

To me, more than ranking or W/L result, what matters is if you can hurt established teams when it matters. We did cost IND, ENG in WC and NZ in CT - but all in ODI, therefore in that format we are actually better than average minnow.

 

[KingKhanWC]

It's great Bangladesh have improved and won a few series but they still have a lot to prove

When Bangladesh can win a test match outside of their home, they will no longer be minnows. Their biggest issue is the lack of fast bowlers.

 

[IndianFan2018]

No..Not yet, until they win CT or WC

 

[Executioner]

It's great Bangladesh have improved and won a few series but they still have a lot to prove

When Bangladesh can win a test match outside of their home, they will no longer be minnows. Their biggest issue is the lack of fast bowlers.

We beat Lanka in Lanka. A good feat if you ask me

But long way to go still

 

[Energetic]

Problem I have is that these newer players haven't been so great. Too much reliance on Shakib, Tamim, Rahim and Mahmudullah. I'd be worried as a BD supporter.

 

[IndianFan2018]

We beat Lanka in Lanka. A good feat if you ask me

But long way to go still

No silverware to show... SL shed their minnow tag after winning 1996 WC with Jayasuriya heroics. Until BD wins CT or WC they will be monnows with sparks of brilliance here and there #MyOpinion

 

[Arham_PakFan]

In ODI's no they are not minnows.

In T20's and tests they are still minnows,although fast improving.

 

[Mamoon]

They shed the minnows tag years ago. They are a very good LOI outfit at home and can compete well in Tests. They have every chance of overtaking Pakistan as the #2 Asian team within 10-15 years.

Their batting is already better than ours, and they have a better system in place. It is only a matter of finding 2-3 quality pacers. Bangladesh cricket is quite inspirational in my view - the players take great pride in playing for their country, and the fans are absolutely obsessed with the game.

However, developing a bowling culture might take longer than 10-15 years. For all their resources, it took India nearly half a century to become a very fast bowling team. Nonetheless, I will not be surprised if Bangladesh overtake Pakistan across all formats within a couple of decades.

They have overtaken Sri Lanka pretty much.

 

[Syed1]

The only thing that can stop a Bangladesh victory in the next three world cups is Bangladesh themselves or a conspiracy by BCCI to stop the Tigers.

 

[IndianFan2018]

They shed the minnows tag years ago. They are a very good LOI outfit at home and can compete well in Tests. They have every chance of overtaking Pakistan as the #2 Asian team within 10-15 years.

Their batting is already better than ours, and they have a better system in place. It is only a matter of finding 2-3 quality pacers. Bangladesh cricket is quite inspirational in my view - the players take great pride in playing for their country, and the fans are absolutely obsessed with the game.

However, developing a bowling culture might take longer than 10-15 years. For all their resources, it took India nearly half a century to become a very fast bowling team. Nonetheless, I will not be surprised if Bangladesh overtake Pakistan across all formats within a couple of decades.

They have overtaken Sri Lanka pretty much.

Disagree sir, BD not yet shed the minnow tag, premature celebration, Nagin dance ... empty cupboard of silverware are hard to ignore !

 

[KingKhanWC]

They shed the minnows tag years ago. They are a very good LOI outfit at home and can compete well in Tests. They have every chance of overtaking Pakistan as the #2 Asian team within 10-15 years.

Their batting is already better than ours, and they have a better system in place. It is only a matter of finding 2-3 quality pacers. Bangladesh cricket is quite inspirational in my view - the players take great pride in playing for their country, and the fans are absolutely obsessed with the game.

However, developing a bowling culture might take longer than 10-15 years. For all their resources, it took India nearly half a century to become a very fast bowling team. Nonetheless, I will not be surprised if Bangladesh overtake Pakistan across all formats within a couple of decades.

They have overtaken Sri Lanka pretty much.

Here we go. First India is the best team in the world and now Bangladesh will over take Pakistan but wait .....in 10-15 years . )

 

[Mamoon]

Here we go. First India is the best team in the world and now Bangladesh will over take Pakistan but wait .....in 10-15 years . )

India is the best all-format team in the world at the moment, and by far the best Asian side, which they have been for pretty much the entire millennium.

Obviously they are not invincible like the West Indies and Australia of yesteryears, but they will beat most teams in most conditions across all three formats. They have pretty much all basis covered except a couple of slots in the middle-order. However, other teams have far bigger problems to address.

Pakistan cricket is regressing and Bangladesh cricket is progressing. If we compare to where both teams were at the start of the millennium, it is clear they are heading in opposite directions. Bangladesh has made big strides and they have better batting credentials than Pakistan at the moment, and are better than Sri Lanka in most metrics.

They will never surpass India, but they can overtake Pakistan. Obviously, it will take half a century before they can think of overtaking Pakistan as a cricketing nation in terms of history and heritage, but they can certainly be a better team in the future.

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Pakistan cricket is regressing and Bangladesh cricket is progressing. If we compare to where both teams were at the start of the millennium, it is clear they are heading in opposite directions. Bangladesh has made big strides and they have better batting credentials than Pakistan at the moment, and are better than Sri Lanka in most metrics.

How is it clear?Anything quantifiable to prove that?

 

[Mamoon]

Disagree sir, BD not yet shed the minnow tag, premature celebration, Nagin dance ... empty cupboard of silverware are hard to ignore !

Premature celebrations, dance etc. does not make Bangladesh minnow. We have seen bigger team do worse things. As far as silverware is concerned, the only thing you would find in South Africa's trophy cabinet is dust, but they are still among the top nations. They have consistently produced top quality cricketers for generations, who have competed very well against all teams both home and away.

Bangladesh is on the right track. Let's not forget that they are only two decades old and unlike Pakistan and India, they entered the game when it was already at a mature stage. Becoming a top side in the 2000s and 2010s is much harder than becoming one in the 50s and 60s.

They have a long way to go before they can stand at the same platform as the top eight nations (not in terms of ranking at the moment, but in terms of history and status), but they are heading the right way. They are producing some very good cricketers and have a very good batting lineup. the domestic setup is well-organized, the stadiums are good, the fan base is amazing and the BPL is pretty decent as well.

 

[Mamoon]

How is it clear?Anything quantifiable to prove that?

Of course. Look at their results in this decade and compare them to the previous decade.

 

[Syed1]

For some experts on here:

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Of course. Look at their results in this decade and compare them to the previous decade.

Of course they are improving,I’m not disputing that.I’m asking how it’s clear that they are going to overtake Pakistan given that their results still don’t even reach close to Pakistan’s in the last decade.Never mind the trophy count.

 

[IndianFan2018]

Premature celebrations, dance etc. does not make Bangladesh minnow. We have seen bigger team do worse things. As far as silverware is concerned, the only thing you would find in South Africa's trophy cabinet is dust, but they are still among the top nations. They have consistently produced top quality cricketers for generations, who have competed very well against all teams both home and away.

Bangladesh is on the right track. Let's not forget that they are only two decades old and unlike Pakistan and India, they entered the game when it was already at a mature stage. Becoming a top side in the 2000s and 2010s is much harder than becoming one in the 50s and 60s.

They have a long way to go before they can stand at the same platform as the top eight nations (not in terms of ranking at the moment, but in terms of history and status), but they are heading the right way. They are producing some very good cricketers and have a very good batting lineup. the domestic setup is well-organized, the stadiums are good, the fan base is amazing and the BPL is pretty decent as well.

You have hope on BD, me not ..let's see who is right in next WC'19, cheers !

 

[Rishta Aunty]

India is the best all-format team in the world at the moment, and by far the best Asian side, which they have been for pretty much the entire millennium.

Obviously they are not invincible like the West Indies and Australia of yesteryears, but they will beat most teams in most conditions across all three formats. They have pretty much all basis covered except a couple of slots in the middle-order. However, other teams have far bigger problems to address.

Pakistan cricket is regressing and Bangladesh cricket is progressing. If we compare to where both teams were at the start of the millennium, it is clear they are heading in opposite directions. Bangladesh has made big strides and they have better batting credentials than Pakistan at the moment, and are better than Sri Lanka in most metrics.

They will never surpass India, but they can overtake Pakistan. Obviously, it will take half a century before they can think of overtaking Pakistan as a cricketing nation in terms of history and heritage, but they can certainly be a better team in the future.

While I don't disagree with your assertion that India is the best team around now overall, I have to disagree with the belief that it's inevitable that Pakistan will be overtaken by Bangladesh.

The thing about Pakistan cricket is that it has never played cricket by the usual rules. Indian cricketing products come through polished assemblies, while we've always found our talents on the streets, moulded by the vagaries of the tape-ball circuit and the mohallas of our cities. That's why we've still been able to sustain our sport (not develop, but sustain) without international cricket while other teams would have been destroyed.

Secondly, what we have that is unique is a fast-bowling culture that no other Asian team has. India seems to be developing one now, but we've had it since Fazal and his Brylcreem days. That will always win your matches, even in this hyper-batting focus age that we are in.

Finally, not to bleat but the CT trophy is testament that there is still a future and life to Pakistani cricket. Most of my Indian friends who are hardcore cricket fans here, were actually happy that the rivalry is back after a lean few years. A strong Pakistan is need for international cricket to thrive. India is a huge market, but we are the second largest, and as our country develops (slowly), we will see that translate to greater funding into sport.

 

[Mamoon]

Of course they are improving,I’m not disputing that.I’m asking how it’s clear that they are going to overtake Pakistan given that their results still don’t even reach close to Pakistan’s in the last decade.Never mind the trophy count.

Pakistan is an established cricket nation with 65 years of history. There is no question that Pakistan cricket is declining, but a declining top team is still likely to outperform an emerging one on most fronts, but if the trend continues for another couple of decades, there is no reason why Bangladesh cannot surpass Pakistan.

I am not saying that the trend will continue. I hope that it does not, and we are able to arrest the decline of Pakistan cricket. We need all the major cricketing nations to be on top of their game, otherwise the game will become an oligopoly of a few countries.

 

[KingKhanWC]

India is the best all-format team in the world at the moment, and by far the best Asian side, which they have been for pretty much the entire millennium.

Obviously they are not invincible like the West Indies and Australia of yesteryears, but they will beat most teams in most conditions across all three formats. They have pretty much all basis covered except a couple of slots in the middle-order. However, other teams have far bigger problems to address.

Pakistan cricket is regressing and Bangladesh cricket is progressing. If we compare to where both teams were at the start of the millennium, it is clear they are heading in opposite directions. Bangladesh has made big strides and they have better batting credentials than Pakistan at the moment, and are better than Sri Lanka in most metrics.

They will never surpass India, but they can overtake Pakistan. Obviously, it will take half a century before they can think of overtaking Pakistan as a cricketing nation in terms of history and heritage, but they can certainly be a better team in the future.

Do you really believe India can win a test series in SA, England and Australia. I'm not sure where you get this idea because they haven't won in those nations yet?

Bangladesh has improved but has a long way to go. Pakistan will continue to produce excellent pacers and have done throughout it's history, Bangladesh have yet to produce ONE!

Half a century? lol. Nobody knows who will even be playing test cricket then let alone who will be better than who. You give me jokes bro.

 

[Mamoon]

While I don't disagree with your assertion that India is the best team around now overall, I have to disagree with the belief that it's inevitable that Pakistan will be overtaken by Bangladesh.

The thing about Pakistan cricket is that it has never played cricket by the usual rules. Indian cricketing products come through polished assemblies, while we've always found our talents on the streets, moulded by the vagaries of the tape-ball circuit and the mohallas of our cities. That's why we've still been able to sustain our sport (not develop, but sustain) without international cricket while other teams would have been destroyed.

Secondly, what we have that is unique is a fast-bowling culture that no other Asian team has. India seems to be developing one now, but we've had it since Fazal and his Brylcreem days. That will always win your matches, even in this hyper-batting focus age that we are in.

Finally, not to bleat but the CT trophy is testament that there is still a future and life to Pakistani cricket. Most of my Indian friends who are hardcore cricket fans here, were actually happy that the rivalry is back after a lean few years. A strong Pakistan is need for international cricket to thrive. India is a huge market, but we are the second largest, and as our country develops (slowly), we will see that translate to greater funding into sport.

I did not say it is inevitable; I said that if the trend of the last 10-15 years continues, they are likely to surpass Pakistan. There is no denying that Pakistan cricket has been on the wane for a number of years while Bangladesh have made big strides.

As far as the rules are concerned, Pakistan may not abide by them, but the lack of professionalism has started to catch up with us now. We have always found our talents on the streets, but we have not produced a world class player for nearly two decades now. Our last genuine world class player was Younis Khan, who was himself a one format player now.

There is cricketer in Pakistan who is an elite player and commands respect in all formats. The days of Imran, Wasim, Waqar, Miandad, Akhtar, Fazal, Majid, Inzamam etc. are long gone. They were products of a different era and a different dynamic, when world class talents could emerge on the streets and take the game by storm.

There is no way around a proper, professional domestic system. Instead of looking for talents on the streets, we need to bring our domestic game to the same level as the other teams, and that is the only way can avoid being ranked 6th/7th consistently.

A quick glance at Bangladesh's domestic structure indicates that they clearly know what they are doing. Of all the Test nations excluding Afghanistan for obvious reasons, Pakistan has the weakest domestic structure after WICB.

 

[Mamoon]

Do you really believe India can win a test series in SA, England and Australia. I'm not sure where you get this idea because they haven't won in those nations yet?

Bangladesh has improved but has a long way to go. Pakistan will continue to produce excellent pacers and have done throughout it's history, Bangladesh have yet to produce ONE!

Half a century? lol. Nobody knows who will even be playing test cricket then let alone who will be better than who. You give me jokes bro.

India ran South Africa close and could have won the series 2-1 had Kohli won two tosses instead of one. It was no coincidence that all three Tests were won by teams that were defending a fourth innings total. The conditions for batting were very difficult, and chasing totals was pretty much impossible.

As far as the England series is concerned, there is no reason why India cannot win. England are a decent but an unsettled side at the moment riding on the coattails of four players who are surrounded by considerable mediocrity.

India have the players to win the series. They cannot win in Australia because their bowling is not at their level, but they can beat Australia pretty much anywhere except Australia and South Africa.

As far as the fifty years is concerned, you missed the point. It was a rhetorical statement to emphasize that Bangladesh have a long, long way to go before it can surpass Pakistan as a cricketing nation in terms of history and prestige. However, they can certainly be a better team in the future in contemporary terms.

 

[Mamoon]

You have hope on BD, me not ..let's see who is right in next WC'19, cheers !

It is a not a race and a question of who is right or who is wrong. Bangladesh cricket is going north and Pakistan cricket is going south. If things do not change, Bangladesh will eventually take over. They have pretty much surpassed Sri Lanka in the last couple of years and they have closed the gap with Pakistan as well.

 

[DRsohail]

Bangladesh is improved team now.Not a minnow any more .

 

[Rishta Aunty]

I did not say it is inevitable; I said that if the trend of the last 10-15 years continues, they are likely to surpass Pakistan. There is no denying that Pakistan cricket has been on the wane for a number of years while Bangladesh have made big strides.

As far as the rules are concerned, Pakistan may not abide by them, but the lack of professionalism has started to catch up with us now. We have always found our talents on the streets, but we have not produced a world class player for nearly two decades now. Our last genuine world class player was Younis Khan, who was himself a one format player now.

There is cricketer in Pakistan who is an elite player and commands respect in all formats. The days of Imran, Wasim, Waqar, Miandad, Akhtar, Fazal, Majid, Inzamam etc. are long gone. They were products of a different era and a different dynamic, when world class talents could emerge on the streets and take the game by storm.

There is no way around a proper, professional domestic system. Instead of looking for talents on the streets, we need to bring our domestic game to the same level as the other teams, and that is the only way can avoid being ranked 6th/7th consistently.

A quick glance at Bangladesh's domestic structure indicates that they clearly know what they are doing. Of all the Test nations excluding Afghanistan for obvious reasons, Pakistan has the weakest domestic structure after WICB.

Lots of valid points but disagree with a few. Sri Lanka is renowned to have one of the worst domestic structures after they expanded the number of teams to 30 or something ridiculous despite having 1/10 our national footprint.

We do have world class talents that have emerged and taken the world by storm. Hasan Ali is a great example, Shadab Khan is one of the most exciting youngsters in the world. The biggest difference is we lack a proven match winner like Mushfiqur Rahim/Shakib; an experienced pro with 10 years of top level experience behind them. Never thought I'd say this, but that would be something we need to develop.

I just think we don't need to be so pessimistic about our national team; yes, we have a lot of domestic cricket issues, but hopefully we can start getting our priorities in order with Sethi at the helm. He's not perfect, but he's done some good work

 

[IndianFan2018]

It is a not a race and a question of who is right or who is wrong. Bangladesh cricket is going north and Pakistan cricket is going south. If things do not change, Bangladesh will eventually take over. They have pretty much surpassed Sri Lanka in the last couple of years and they have closed the gap with Pakistan as well.

Your are senior in PP, you are one of my fav member here. respect your opinion.

For me BD is minnow untill they win something meaningful, let's agree to disagree

 

[KingKhanWC]

India ran South Africa close and could have won the series 2-1 had Kohli won two tosses instead of one. It was no coincidence that all three Tests were won by teams that were defending a fourth innings total. The conditions for batting were very difficult, and chasing totals was pretty much impossible.

As far as the England series is concerned, there is no reason why India cannot win. England are a decent but an unsettled side at the moment riding on the coattails of four players who are surrounded by considerable mediocrity.

India have the players to win the series. They cannot win in Australia because their bowling is not at their level, but they can beat Australia pretty much anywhere except Australia and South Africa.

As far as the fifty years is concerned, you missed the point. It was a rhetorical statement to emphasize that Bangladesh have a long, long way to go before it can surpass Pakistan as a cricketing nation in terms of history and prestige. However, they can certainly be a better team in the future in contemporary terms.

1. Tosses are part of the game. I dont think it mattered much as SA beat India by a good distance in the first two tests, India were just not good enough.

2. India only have a chance in England if the weather this summer is hot which will see less swing, flatter pitches and more turn. I expect them to win a test or two but to win the series will be difficult. England hot favourites.

3. Ok so Bangladesh need a few decades to surpass Pakistan which in turn means they are way behind atm(accoring to you).

You're not putting a strong case forward, nothing more than your opinion which we know is against Pakistan cricket.

 

[Mamoon]

Lots of valid points but disagree with a few. Sri Lanka is renowned to have one of the worst domestic structures after they expanded the number of teams to 30 or something ridiculous despite having 1/10 our national footprint.

We do have world class talents that have emerged and taken the world by storm. Hasan Ali is a great example, Shadab Khan is one of the most exciting youngsters in the world. The biggest difference is we lack a proven match winner like Mushfiqur Rahim/Shakib; an experienced pro with 10 years of top level experience behind them. Never thought I'd say this, but that would be something we need to develop.

I just think we don't need to be so pessimistic about our national team; yes, we have a lot of domestic cricket issues, but hopefully we can start getting our priorities in order with Sethi at the helm. He's not perfect, but he's done some good work

I do not fully understand the Sri Lankan example. I do agree that high number of domestic teams is detrimental. A lot of filler players tend to get opportunities while good players are lost in the system. In addition, it provides more opportunities for nepotism. Nonetheless, the strength of Sri Lankan cricket has always been their school cricket.

School cricket in Sri Lanka is at a fantastic level, it is probably even better than India, or at least at par. That is why they have produced some refined, educated crickets from the upper-middle class spectrum. Now that is another issue for Pakistan. Cricket has become a poor man's sport in Pakistan because of the lack of school cricket.

Taking up cricket as a profession is simply not viable for kids from the upper class and middle class anymore. The likes of Imran Khan and Majid Khan would not have been able to take up the sport in today's Pakistan. This has further reduced the talent pool, and that is why most of our players have no idea how to handle themselves and act like idiots. They are too uneducated and have had no prior exposure and awareness.

I agree that Hasan and Shadab are bright spots, and so is Fakhar, but a lot of our young players start their careers with a bang, before they go off the boil completely. I am not pessimistic about their future, but I will not be surprised if they lose their way like so many other Pakistani players.

I also agree with you that Sethi has done some really good work. He has been by far the best chairman in years. Unfortunately, people have a problem with him due to his political affiliations. He can support any party he wants as long as he is doing his job as the PCB Chairman, which he has to a good extent.

 

[Mamoon]

1. Tosses are part of the game. I dont think it mattered much as SA beat India by a good distance in the first two tests, India were just not good enough.

2. India only have a chance in England if the weather this summer is hot which will see less swing, flatter pitches and more turn. I expect them to win a test or two but to win the series will be difficult. England hot favourites.

3. Ok so Bangladesh need a few decades to surpass Pakistan which in turn means they are way behind atm(accoring to you).

You're not putting a strong case forward, nothing more than your opinion which we know is against Pakistan cricket.

1. Yes it is part of the game, which is South Africa won the series and no one is complaining. However, it was a hard fought series that could have gone either way. India showed more than enough credentials to suggest that they are now capable of winning Test series away from home.

2. Yes, the fact that India are playing in late summer gives them a good chance. Pakistan had England on the ropes in the late summer of 2016, but things would have been different had they played in early summer. The same team got thrashed in New Zealand 2-0 later that year in wet conditions.

England would have a considerable advantage over India in wet conditions, but in late summer, Indian spinners will come into play.

3. Bangladesh need more than a few decades to surpass Pakistan as a cricketing nation, because you cannot become a big team overnight, especially when Pakistan has been one of the top teams for many decades. However, what I am trying to say is that Bangladesh have the potential to be a better team than Pakistan at a given period in time.

 

[Rishta Aunty]

I do not fully understand the Sri Lankan example. I do agree that high number of domestic teams is detrimental. A lot of filler players tend to get opportunities while good players are lost in the system. In addition, it provides more opportunities for nepotism. Nonetheless, the strength of Sri Lankan cricket has always been their school cricket.

School cricket in Sri Lanka is at a fantastic level, it is probably even better than India, or at least at par. That is why they have produced some refined, educated crickets from the upper-middle class spectrum. Now that is another issue for Pakistan. Cricket has become a poor man's sport in Pakistan because of the lack of school cricket.

Taking up cricket as a profession is simply not viable for kids from the upper class and middle class anymore. The likes of Imran Khan and Majid Khan would not have been able to take up the sport in today's Pakistan. This has further reduced the talent pool, and that is why most of our players have no idea how to handle themselves and act like idiots. They are too uneducated and have had no prior exposure and awareness.

I agree that Hasan and Shadab are bright spots, and so is Fakhar, but a lot of our young players start their careers with a bang, before they go off the boil completely. I am not pessimistic about their future, but I will not be surprised if they lose their way like so many other Pakistani players.

I also agree with you that Sethi has done some really good work. He has been by far the best chairman in years. Unfortunately, people have a problem with him due to his political affiliations. He can support any party he wants as long as he is doing his job as the PCB Chairman, which he has to a good extent.

The Sri Lankan point was countering the assertion that our domestic cricket is probably the worst in the world alongwith WI; I do believe that Sri Lanka, just like us have seen their system degraded in the past few years with their ridiculous politically-minded expansion. School cricket can keep you afloat but the worry is whether that is sustainable.

I don't inherently see the problem in Cricket being a poor man's sport in Pakistan. That can be a positive in having a wider talent pool; India got the likes of Dhoni, Shami and Yadav thanks to exactly that shift. Our issue is the lack of money/facilities/financial security.

That's where PSL comes in, albeit a better run version. That needs to be pumped in to cross-subsidize our domestic rebuilding. Hopefully Sethi can see that through; same as you, I don't care about his political affiliation as long as he does his work.

With regards to our stars that burnt out, they disintegrated mentally more than anything else. I can see that happening to Fakhar, but not with Hasan and Shadab to be honest. But hey, I'm no fortune teller despite my username.

 

[Mamoon]

The Sri Lankan point was countering the assertion that our domestic cricket is probably the worst in the world alongwith WI; I do believe that Sri Lanka, just like us have seen their system degraded in the past few years with their ridiculous politically-minded expansion. School cricket can keep you afloat but the worry is whether that is sustainable.

I don't inherently see the problem in Cricket being a poor man's sport in Pakistan. That can be a positive in having a wider talent pool; India got the likes of Dhoni, Shami and Yadav thanks to exactly that shift. Our issue is the lack of money/facilities/financial security.

That's where PSL comes in, albeit a better run version. That needs to be pumped in to cross-subsidize our domestic rebuilding. Hopefully Sethi can see that through; same as you, I don't care about his political affiliation as long as he does his work.

With regards to our stars that burnt out, they disintegrated mentally more than anything else. I can see that happening to Fakhar, but not with Hasan and Shadab to be honest. But hey, I'm no fortune teller despite my username.

Obviously, considering the percentage of people that are below the poverty line in Pakistan, you would rather have cricket be a poor man's sport than a rich man's sport, but ideally, it should be accessible to all levels of society.

Most of your talent will be poor because they form the majority, but by ensuring that people from the upper class are not able to take the sport, you are risking eliminating talented children from the talent pool.

Their might be a doctor or an engineer who could have been a top class player with a proper school cricket structure in place.

 

[Mamoon]

Your are senior in PP, you are one of my fav member here. respect your opinion.

For me BD is minnow untill they win something meaningful, let's agree to disagree

Thank you for the kind words.

 

[Rishta Aunty]

Obviously, considering the percentage of people that are below the poverty line in Pakistan, you would rather have cricket be a poor man's sport than a rich man's sport, but ideally, it should be accessible to all levels of society.

Most of your talent will be poor because they form the majority, but by ensuring that people from the upper class are not able to take the sport, you are risking eliminating talented children from the talent pool.

Their might be a doctor or an engineer who could have been a top class player with a proper school cricket structure in place.

That's true, but hey Pakistan right now needs its doctors/engineers more than it's cricketers

 

[KingKhanWC]

1. Yes it is part of the game, which is South Africa won the series and no one is complaining. However, it was a hard fought series that could have gone either way. India showed more than enough credentials to suggest that they are now capable of winning Test series away from home.

2. Yes, the fact that India are playing in late summer gives them a good chance. Pakistan had England on the ropes in the late summer of 2016, but things would have been different had they played in early summer. The same team got thrashed in New Zealand 2-0 later that year in wet conditions.

England would have a considerable advantage over India in wet conditions, but in late summer, Indian spinners will come into play.

3. Bangladesh need more than a few decades to surpass Pakistan as a cricketing nation, because you cannot become a big team overnight, especially when Pakistan has been one of the top teams for many decades. However, what I am trying to say is that Bangladesh have the potential to be a better team than Pakistan at a given period in time.

1. If the margin of victories were closer I would agree but they didn't fight hard otherwise it would have been closer. It's your personal opinion they showed they have what it takes to win in SA, I didnt see it.

2. I agree

3. Totally disagree. For Bang to surpass Pakistan this century or the next they need to produce either brilliantly skilled swing bowlers or fast bowlers. To this day they haven't and even Sami who is 37 who failed in the Pakistan team would walk into their side. In fact I would go as far as saying, Sami is faster anyone in Bangladesh, past or present. Even India have struggled to find fast bowlers, so good luck to Bangladesh.

 

[Abdullah719]

Reminder that the topic of the thread is Bangladesh.

 

[Buffet]

A minnow, but a strong one.

 

[Savak]

No the minnows will eventually return to the Law of averages

 

[jnaveen1980]

T20 is supposed to bridge the gap between the top tier team and bottom tier team. But BD never looked like winning in T20 more often than not. So this little run here (including the loss against India) will give them all the confidence. Who knows they might pull a surprise in the final given that India has Unadkat, Thakur, Siraj.

 

[Hasan123]

In tests, they will compete with teams at home and struggle away .

In ODIs, very good at home and but struggle away like most teams. Overall there ODI team has improved.

T20s. There are minnows in ranking and haven't done much in this format.

I wouldn't consider them minnows in ODIs but in the other 2 formats they are.

 

[PakLFC]

Still minnows no doubt about it but improving as compared to what they were when starting out. They are better then the West Indies for sure. Likes of Scotland and Ireland are the new minnows though in time they could catch up if not be better then Bangladesh.

 

[Messiah]

minnows along with lanka. Those two wins were against minnow too and should be taken with grain of salt

 

[BreadPakoda]

May be not minnows but still a very poor team. Probably having the worst WL ratio in all formats.

 

[shane]

I would not call Bangladesh minnows, but they are among the weakest of the non-minnows.

 

[Bangladesh_Fan]

It seems some people have some real issues with Bangladesh. I thought the minnows of world cricket are busy playing the World Cup Qualifiers currently. Someone please explain when was the last time a minnow (Zimbabwe/Ireland/Afghanistan/Scotland/Netherlands/etc.) achieved HALF the following results in last 3-4 years:-

- Winning a SERIES versus New Zealand
- Winning SERIES versus India (Full strength with Kohli and co.)
- Winning a SERIES versus South Africa
- Drawing Both TEST and ODI series AWAY from home versus Sri Lanka
- Winning and Whitewashing Pakistan in ODI and T20
- Drawing 1-1 TEST SERIES versus Australia
- Drawing (almost winning 2-0) TEST SERIES versus England
- Making the Quarterfinals of 2015 World Cup
- Making the SEMI-FINAls of Champions Trophy 2017
- Making the Finals of Asia Cup

Maybe there are more I forgot, someone please feel free to add. It seems some just don't miss an opportunity to have a go at Bangladesh and refuse to give credit where it is due or just dont follow cricket as closely.

 

[Executioner]

It seems some people have some real issues with Bangladesh. I thought the minnows of world cricket are busy playing the World Cup Qualifiers currently. Someone please explain when was the last time a minnow (Zimbabwe/Ireland/Afghanistan/Scotland/Netherlands/etc.) achieved HALF the following results in last 3-4 years:-

- Winning a SERIES versus New Zealand
- Winning SERIES versus India (Full strength with Kohli and co.)
- Winning a SERIES versus South Africa
- Drawing Both TEST and ODI series AWAY from home versus Sri Lanka
- Winning and Whitewashing Pakistan in ODI and T20
- Drawing 1-1 TEST SERIES versus Australia
- Drawing (almost winning 2-0) TEST SERIES versus England
- Making the Quarterfinals of 2015 World Cup
- Making the SEMI-FINAls of Champions Trophy 2017
- Making the Finals of Asia Cup

Maybe there are more I forgot, someone please feel free to add. It seems some just don't miss an opportunity to have a go at Bangladesh and refuse to give credit where it is due or just dont follow cricket as closely.

People call us minnows because they find our our performance hard to digest

 

[JaDed]

Not in Home,they are good at home.

 

[Tyler Durden]

First time in 2018 that I'm seeing so many Bangla posters appearing here on this forum. This tells how much a Win against a depleted Lanka means to them. Hard to digest? Didn't you get phanity by the same SL team in your own backyard a month ago? Weather you accept it or not - BL is a minnow and it will remain a Minnow team for the whole cricketing history.

 

[Cozyrensetter]

Nah ,they are still minnows.Only minnows can lose a match with 1 run required off 3 balls.

 

[The_Odd_One]

Not until they win a tournament against non minnow teams

 

[Kashmirilion]

They are no more minnows in limited overs cricket..Surely the 3rd best asian team after India and Pakistan. And they are improving in tests too. But I'll rank them 4th best asian test nation.

Is there a such thing as "4th BEST" when there is no one below you?

 

[IndianFan2018]

People call us minnows because they find our our performance hard to digest

Wrong bro, usually neutral fans will be happy if underdog wins or upsets top ranked team in any form of cricket. But that's not the case with BD.

Why?

Problem is, immature behaviour, mediaeval level celebration, premature celebration, cringeworthy Nagin Dance, breaking dressing room glassdoor (not proved yet), cockiness after winning groupmatch by both players and fans etc. makes it hard for neutrals to appreciate BD rare wins.

Along with improving cricketing skills, BD supporters need to grow as well... They should learn to treat cricket matches as Sport not some kind of War

 

[Gubol123]

BD is not a minnow but not a very big team either. They are like what SL was in early 90s, although SL had already won an Asia cup by that time. Even though Nidhas trophy is a big inconsequential trophy in the bigger scheme of things, BD needs to win it for their own development. Hopefully that will spur them to greater heights. Hopefully that will provide them with more self confidence and put an end to their victim mentality

 

[big_gamer007]

Anyone calling BD minnow is either a casual cricket watcher (I doubt we will see many such casuals on PP), or a pure hater or someone who lacks knowledge of cricket..

Minnow is someone like Scotland or Netherlands in a game played by 8-10 nations BD at home can beat more than half the playing countries.. So how exactly are they minnows?

People think just because BD aren’t the best team they are automatically minnows.. Which just shows the lack of cricketing brains, infact nkt just cricketing brains but brains in general..

BD are a cricket nation who are good at home and sucks away from home.. Whereas in ODI’s they are in the bottom 5 out of the 10 nations who play the game seriously and can beat any of the bottom 5 nations on their day however will struggle against the top 5 nations just like any other bottom 5 nations would..

So in short stop riling up the BD fans by calling them minnows, the BD fans are emotional and when people here troll and call BD minnows they get upset.. It’s fun for a bit riling them up but constant trolling just gets boring and shows your hatred more than anything else..

 

[big_gamer007]

People call us minnows because they find our our performance hard to digest

Read post #72..

For casuals BD are still minnows however on PP there are not many casuals so most people calling BD minnows on PP are just haters or trolls who wanna get reactions from BD posters like yourself..

BD can change casuals opinions if they do a Lanka of 90’s.. Only your next generation of players can do that the current ones are good but ultimately mediocre to challenge and change perception by revolutionailsing the game..

 

[RainMan_]

First time in 2018 that I'm seeing so many Bangla posters appearing here on this forum. This tells how much a Win against a depleted Lanka means to them. Hard to digest? Didn't you get phanity by the same SL team in your own backyard a month ago? Weather you accept it or not - BL is a minnow and it will remain a Minnow team for the whole cricketing history.

My friend, perhaps u haven't been in this forum for long enough then. Unlike me, most of the bangla posters here are long time active members.

Srilanka is a good team who has performed really well against strong teams like Pakistan and Australia in tests. So, losing couple of games against them isn't much of a big deal especially when their coach had first hand experience of working with Bangladesh team which he used against us in the last series.


Whether u consider us minnow or not has little to no value to us. The whole cricketing world considers us a force to reckon with. Everybody knows that we r a good team team who can beat anybody in anywhere.

 

[BDfanforever]

Wrong bro, usually neutral fans will be happy if underdog wins or upsets top ranked team in any form of cricket. But that's not the case with BD.

Why?

Problem is, immature behaviour, mediaeval level celebration, premature celebration, cringeworthy Nagin Dance, breaking dressing room glassdoor (not proved yet), cockiness after winning groupmatch by both players and fans etc. makes it hard for neutrals to appreciate BD rare wins.

Along with improving cricketing skills, BD supporters need to grow as well... They should learn to treat cricket matches as Sport not some kind of War

How come no one says anything about Imran Tahir OTT celebrations? How come only when BD player does OTT celebrations people call it out?

 

[DeadBall]

How come no one says anything about Imran Tahir OTT celebrations? How come only when BD player does OTT celebrations people call it out?

Tahir in his defense actually just celebrates the wicket and not to mock anyone specifically. I personally think though that Tahirs celebration is great even after repeated viewings ala Akhtars plane celebration. Rummans celebration is another one that can stand the test of time, am getting bored with Hassan Alis celebration though which is good for special occasions but he seems to be overdoing it. He even did it after his 50.

 

[BDfanforever]

Sri Lanka has won more tournaments than the likes of South Africa, England, NZ, and Pak. Still people generally thinks Sri Lanka is a weak team.

Similarly BD will be thought of as minnows even if they were to win world cup. Its all about perceptions...

 

[rhony]

How come no one says anything about Imran Tahir OTT celebrations? How come only when BD player does OTT celebrations people call it out?

He does that while running away as far as he can from the batsman. That's the difference

 

[BDfanforever]

He does that while running away as far as he can from the batsman. That's the difference

I am pretty sure you have seen baseball, even head coaches argues with umpires all the time.

So Mushfiqs Nagin dance is really not that big deal at all, as he is backing that up with performance.

 

[ManFan]

They are decent at home and terrible abroad.

 

[jnaveen1980]

I know when exactly Srilanka lost their minnow tag. In 1996 world cup teams were wary of facing Srilanka. Jayasuriya and Aravind played a significant role in that alongwith captaincy of Ranatunga. Teams were somewhat scared of facing them. The day BD becomes a team that opposition wants to avoid they will lose their minnow tag.