Secret to Bangladesh's success: A perfect recipe of experience, passion & hard work? Lessons for Pak

[adil79]

Secret to Bangladesh's success: A perfect recipe of experience, passion & hard work? Lessons for Pak

Having seen the world cup matches, I am surprised how far bangladesh has come in world cricket. Sure, they were glimpses of performance in every world cup, but the consistency, it's on the rise.

Why don't Bangladesh play for individual brilliances? Why they play such maturely? How are they playing as a team? And what Pakistan can learn from that?

They don't have the IPL money.
They don't have the big stars.
All they have is experience and talented players who are both willing to go extra mile for their country.

Shakib, who has been playing for Bangladesh for more than a decade now, doesn't give away his wicket. He bats responsibly. He doesn't throw away his wicket. He has been consistent so far.

And so is Mushfiqur. Bats with purpose. Plays with his whole heart for his country. What makes them try harder? and eventually succeed?

You see Mortaza trying harder for his team, even without his proper knees. You see young players giving away all their energy and remain calm & composite in difficult situations.

Why don't our senior players perform like that?

Where do they get their inspiration from?

Is it from their captain? or
Is it from their senior players?
Does coaches make you perform whole heartedly?

May be Bangladesh are playing what Pakistan used to be in the old days. May be Pakistan has lost the fire, the passion our team used to have. The belief to win it.

What are your thoughts on it?

 

[Pakpak]

And better players. We don't have a single player like Shakib or a good middle order Batsman like Rahim.

 

[adil79]

And better players. We don't have a single player like Shakib or a good middle order Batsman like Rahim.

Is it the case of better player? or the difference in passion? Please read it whole

 

[Asif321]

Look how experienced Shakib is playing and look at hafeez malik
Look at liton Das then look at babar and imam

 

[Pakpak]

Is it the case of better player? or the difference in passion? Please read it whole

Better players win you games. Better players are also produced from improved domestic systems, which theys eem to have done.

 

[Saj]

Senior players taking responsibility.
Senior players supporting youngsters.
Youngsters who have a fearless attitude.
Superb in the field.

 

[Hasan123]

This result isn't even a surprise lol. West Indies have struggled against Bangladesh a lot recently. West Indies got over hyped after beating Pakistan. I thought they would do better at this WC but when people started talking about them as winners that was way off the mark.

 

[adil79]

This result isn't even a surprise lol. West Indies have struggled against Bangladesh a lot recently. West Indies got over hyped after beating Pakistan. I thought they would do better at this WC but when people started talking about them as winners that was way off the mark.

And we struggled against same west indies. We will struggle against south africa. We lost to Afghanistan in warm up. Let. that. sink. in. We lost to Bangladesh in Asia Cup. We are probably the 3rd if not 4th best team of asia, as of now.

 

[WengerOut]

And we struggled against same west indies. We will struggle against south africa. We lost to Afghanistan in warm up. Let. that. sink. in. We lost to Bangladesh in Asia Cup. We are probably the 3rd if not 4th best team of asia, as of now.

Different context. Different pitch. This Ban got obliterated by Eng while Pak beat that Eng.

 

[adil79]

Different context. Different pitch. This Ban got obliterated by Eng while Pak beat that Eng.

Yeah, there will always be an excuse for us. Bangladesh fought to the end against England. They didn't get obliterated lol. Shakib was standing till the end. They didn't throw it away like Pakistan. The target was too large for them. I wonder if things would have been different if they batted first then.

 

[Hasan123]

And we struggled against same west indies. We will struggle against south africa. We lost to Afghanistan in warm up. Let. that. sink. in. We lost to Bangladesh in Asia Cup. We are probably the 3rd if not 4th best team of asia, as of now.

Fully agree we are pathetic. But Bangladesh have been making improvements for a while. This result isn't a surprise. That's how far Bangladesh have come where beating a top ranking side isn't a surprise unless its Australia, india , or England in this WC.

 

[Savak]

Bangladeshi players take part in the IPL and they are rewarded handsomely as well. Difference is in the work ethic of the players.

 

[Saj]

Steve Rhodes is a very good choice as coach too.

He's battle-hardened and has an excellent reputation as a coach.

 

[Hyperion66]

Skillwise Tamim, Shakib and Mushfiq are better than anyone Pak has except Babar. It's better to play with 3 elite players and 8 wooden sticks than a team of 11 railu kattas.

 

[Muddaser]

What success?

They have won nothing.

 

[adil79]

What success?

They have won nothing.

Sure, nothing in the past. But that may change now. At least they have improved. They don't play for individual scores and get 40-50 and get out, so that their team slot can remain for future.

Absolute no passion and love to win for Pakistan, that's what i see in our players.

 

[Technics 1210]

The secret? They respect their captain and get along as a team.

End of.

 

[Rayyman]

One thing we can learn from Bangladesh, they always have a young team.

Their oldest players are their best players. And they only have one player past his prime in Mortaza who is arguably the best captain in world cricket.

Our team has many youngsters, but we carry way too many players past their prime(s).

The likes of Hafeez, Malik, Haris, Sarfraz, Imad and Wahab have to go after this WC.

Bangladesh do well because they started from the bottom up and gave the youngsters the experience.

Pakistan is always looking for a quick fix by bringing back mediocrity.

You have to be willing to be embarrassed. I'd happily support a minnow team if it meant that the players had potential.

But these idiots in PCB never learn.

 

[shah_1]

They have three proper batsmen in top 4 though mush didn’t do much here.

We have Imam who doesn’t have a technique when it comes to real fast bowling

Fakhar Zaman is a tullaybaaz

Hafeez is a bits and pieces cricketer

 

[BreadPakoda]

Bangladesh cannot match a country like Pakistan in talent but their sheer hardwork has more than compensated here.

 

[Muddaser]

Sure, nothing in the past. But that may change now. At least they have improved. They don't play for individual scores and get 40-50 and get out, so that their team slot can remain for future.

Absolute no passion and love to win for Pakistan, that's what i see in our players.

The same players won Pakistan a champions trophy 2 years ago. That's success.

Bangladesh have had no success whatsoever. Future nobody can predict. So I don't know what secrets you are talking about.

Lets not overreact.

 

[Suleiman]

They have quality players we don’t.

You can learn all the lessons you want but if you don’t have a system to produce quality players none of that matters. There is no jaadu ki charri.

 

[ManFan]

BD deserve their great success.

It’s only their online presence of annoying fans that turn people away from their team.

 

[Mp812]

Bangladesh need 17 runs in 6 balls to win against WI which defeated Pakistan so easily

 

[Mr.Q]

They have a somewhat settled squad and XI.
Their batsmen are getting better with time.
Shakib is in unreal form. Teams are yet to take his performances seriously I think. After today’s knock they will and may bring specific plans for him.
[MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION] will be a very happy man today. Clinical performance.

 

[Muddaser]

Bangladesh need 17 runs in 6 balls to win against WI which defeated Pakistan so easily

And Pakistan beat England which beat you.

 

[pakistani pride]

What has the BANGLA team achieved? I mean major wins?

 

[Babbar]

And Pakistan beat England which beat you.

West Indies has a few things to say about the two teams too!

 

[The Viper]

Bangladesh batsman rotate the strike so well and without taking much risks, can maintain ahealthy strike rate. Shakib is the main example of that- rotating the strike and hitting risk free shots. Pakistan does not have much players like this.

 

[Muddaser]

What has the BANGLA team achieved? I mean major wins?

Nothing.

Can't believe we have people using Bangladesh as a benchmark for success.

Unbelievable.

 

[BD-fan]

The Snub of Shakib in this years IPL has turned him in to Boss Mode. Before the Tournament, the coach said Shakib is on a mission to be the man of the Tournament.

 

[BD-fan]

It has to come from within first. Then you practice, then the games come easy to you. Any sports.

 

[jnaveen1980]

They are more professional, disciplined. They understand the roles. THey all chip in. Their bowling may be their achilles heel as they don't have any strike bowler. But they compensate that with discipline. They should have beaten NZ.

 

[jnaveen1980]

The Snub of Shakib in this years IPL has turned him in to Boss Mode. Before the Tournament, the coach said Shakib is on a mission to be the man of the Tournament.

Didn't he play for SRH?

 

[MMHS]

They have a somewhat settled squad and XI.
Their batsmen are getting better with time.
Shakib is in unreal form. Teams are yet to take his performances seriously I think. After today’s knock they will and may bring specific plans for him.
[MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION] will be a very happy man today. Clinical performance.

Happy & proud indeed.

Some of the on drives Shakib played today, I haven't seen for long - timing has gone out of the game, we are making it butcher's shop .... today I saw some of that timing on the rise through mid on, something I saw from a short Indian 20 years back.

 

[Hasan2K8]

Bangladeshi players take part in the IPL and they are rewarded handsomely as well. Difference is in the work ethic of the players.

Only Shakib is regular but didn’t play much last IPL and Fizz played in few but didn’t last IPL. You made it sound as if more than 4/5 get regular ipl’s. I definitely think Mahmudullah, Sarkar and Liton Das, Sabbir Rahman, have strong cases. But who cares we have BPL and players earn enough and stay injury free. BD players are humble, most come from modest backgrounds so I don’t think they’re bothered about ipl, they earn more than enough in BPL.

 

[10sion]

What has the BANGLA team achieved? I mean major wins?

If major wins = world cup wins then South Africa has not won too. Also England (not counting T20s here) And New Zealand

However every time you take to the field, you are representing your country. And in recent times, Bangladesh players have done reasonably well of representing their country.

 

[PakLFC]

Lessons are only for those who want to improve and learn. Our players sit at some bar smoking sheesha a night before the most crucial match then the captain is seen yawning on the field. Pak are the most unprofessional team in the tournament. Hardly any player is even fit it seems.

 

[bujhee kom]

1 win does not allow for deep analysis. BD are on the rise, mind you.

 

[Titan24]

Congrats to BD fans, their team has been playing excellent cricket throughout the WC till now except the Eng match.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Key difference i notice is, BD plays every game with same intensity win or loss. Pakistan relies more on their unpredictability. That is why they say "we don't know which pak side will show up". There should be only one side. Pakistan play casually in some matches. Seriously in some matches.

 

[Hyperion66]

Bangladeshi players take part in the IPL and they are rewarded handsomely as well. Difference is in the work ethic of the players.

Bar Mustafiz and Shakib none of them play in the IPL, their success is solely due to their own hardwork and dadication.

 

[Dr_Bassim]

The same players won Pakistan a champions trophy 2 years ago. That's success.

Bangladesh have had no success whatsoever. Future nobody can predict. So I don't know what secrets you are talking about.

Lets not overreact.

I think your arrogance is how personally our players view themselves too.

South Africa has won nothing, nor New Zealand, but you respect them more than Bangladesh? Or you don't?

I have nothing against you praising our team, even if those false bravados and "We won CT 17" goes on for next 04 years.

But your superciliousness and arrogance while talking about a rising team tells me you "will humble yourself into submission one day".

At least respect the system that led them to better performances even if you cannot utter any respect for the opposition that has thrashed you every time for last 02 years.

 

[Bangladesh_Fan]

From what I have seen so far the BD players could die on that pitch for the team if needed to, they will not give up and will fight for that semi spot until the end. Shakib has lost lot of weight before this world cup, he is a man on mission.
Just running on pure Passion.

 

[Muddaser]

I think your arrogance is how personally our players view themselves too.

South Africa has won nothing, nor New Zealand, but you respect them more than Bangladesh? Or you don't?

I have nothing against you praising our team, even if those false bravados and "We won CT 17" goes on for next 04 years.

But your superciliousness and arrogance while talking about a rising team tells me you "will humble yourself into submission one day".

At least respect the system that led them to better performances even if you cannot utter any respect for the opposition that has thrashed you every time for last 02 years.

Read the topic title.

Secret to Bangladesh success.

Winning a match against WI? We beat England a couple of weeks ago.

Is this the benchmark for success?

 

[Hasan2K8]

Read the topic title.

Secret to Bangladesh success.

Winning a match against WI? We beat England a couple of weeks ago.

Is this the benchmark for success?

I think the op clearly refers the title of the thread in general regarding BD cricket since 2015 WC.

 

[unemployedgm]

Bangladesh have invested heavily in their development structure.

 

[Muddaser]

I think the op clearly refers the title of the thread in general regarding BD cricket since 2015 WC.

So what success have we witnessed since 2015?

For Bangladesh and Pakistan.

Thread wouldn't be here if it wasn't for the WI win today.

 

[Loralai]

Bangladesh has moved beyond Pakistan in the ODI game. Shakib is a class player in all formats and we should acknowledge their successes and respect them for it.

However, given the history between the two nations I can see why some Pakistanis might find it hard to give Bangladeshis the respect they deserve and will instead get triggered.

 

[BD Tigers]

Bangladesh has moved beyond Pakistan in the ODI game. Shakib is a class player in all formats and we should acknowledge their successes and respect them for it.

However, given the history between the two nations I can see why some Pakistanis might find it hard to give Bangladeshis the respect they deserve and will instead get triggered.

It is called bitterness. When your accustomed to being better than someone and they supersede you, it is normal to feel like this

There are about 4 Bangladesh players that will walk into the Pakistan team and a few which are debatable.

This is not something which your average Pakistan fan is used to, hence the bitterness

 

[chacha kashmiri]

Courtney Walsh has helped BD cricket a lot by the looks of it
They look a professional unit, who know the sums of their parts and are very consistent

 

[Justcrazy]

Pakistan players are in self denial , the management does not care.

Pakistan need to get rid of midget mentality players , and make a team with players who are going to work hard , and play to win , not to just make numbers.

 

[MMHS]

I think, the success of BD cricket is in closing the gap - it's a process whose end outcome is winning tournaments/series.

The secret is one line for me - passion brings mass people to a sports (actually in any skill based traits), system brings the professionals out of many passionate follower.

For PAK's lesson, I think first one is that - PAK doesn't have extra talent (even here I read absolute rubbish myths like "Bangladesh cannot match a country like Pakistan in talent") - PAK's past cricket glory was earned through borrowed money - now PCB has to do it from own sources. The earlier PCB starts acting, an U-turn 'll start happening, otherwise PCT is going deeper and deeper.

 

[Smbhayi]

The Snub of Shakib in this years IPL has turned him in to Boss Mode. Before the Tournament, the coach said Shakib is on a mission to be the man of the Tournament.

TBH he's not suited for SRH.. He lacks big hitting and that's why Nabi played ahead of him most time, and he played well too to be dropped..

 

[Smbhayi]

BTW BD recently win Tri-series tournaments if anyone forgets...

 

[MMHS]

TBH he's not suited for SRH.. He lacks big hitting and that's why Nabi played ahead of him most time, and he played well too to be dropped..

I wrote it that time - I am DAMN happy, if he is paid from IPL and they don't play him even a single game. In fact, I would love to see all our National players warming bench at every PLs & SLs - this is a PAK majority forum and no one should know better than here, what that plague can do to a Countries' cricket.

 

[adil79]

BTW BD recently win Tri-series tournaments if anyone forgets...

They were playing india in asia cup final.

Ominous signs started when Pakistan lost so badly in Asia Cup. Those two matches against India, the current world cup match is more or less repeat of that. Can't believe we haven't learned anything after a year.

Bangladesh will have more points in this tournament than Pakistan. And i love round robin. It prevents flukes & occasional brilliance. A team good enough will certainly prevail over others. And better team will certainly outrank weaker ones.

 

[Savak]

Steve Rhodes is a very good choice as coach too.

He's battle-hardened and has an excellent reputation as a coach.

Hmm is this a dig at Mickey Arthur? When he first joined the team he talked so much about a ruthless fitness, professional and high performance culture. Mickey Arthur right now is just reduced to the role of a comedian playing out his last rites. Personally speaking i think he has given up and is just waiting to finish his tenure.

 

[Ronaldo7]

Yeah, there will always be an excuse for us. Bangladesh fought to the end against England. They didn't get obliterated lol. Shakib was standing till the end. They didn't throw it away like Pakistan. The target was too large for them. I wonder if things would have been different if they batted first then.

Losing by 100+ runs is getting obliterated.

 

[Pakhs]

Bangladesh have won nothing yet! two years ago Pakistan won CT Bangladesh have not even won that although there best players have been playing for over 10 years and at their prime. I don't think they are the bench mark for Pakistan.

 

[AdamM97]

Bangladesh have won nothing yet! two years ago Pakistan won CT Bangladesh have not even won that although there best players have been playing for over 10 years and at their prime. I don't think they are the bench mark for Pakistan.

They’re more consistent than Pakistan but i do agree with you that Bangladesh shouldn’t be the bench mark. They themselves are average at best.

 

[Pakhs]

It is called bitterness. When your accustomed to being better than someone and they supersede you, it is normal to feel like this

There are about 4 Bangladesh players that will walk into the Pakistan team and a few which are debatable.

This is not something which your average Pakistan fan is used to, hence the bitterness

Can anybody clarify exactly how Bangladesh have gone ahead of Pakistan? I am not sure they are even ahead of Srilanka? Its only two years ago Pakistan won CT beating India by 180+ runs when did Bangladesh did that? They couldnt even do that in Asia cup where India was minus kholi and pressure was no way near as much as ICC tournament.

Bangladesh are yet to win anything meaningful despite there best players at peak of their careers.

 

[Pakhs]

They’re more consistent than Pakistan but i do agree with you that Bangladesh shouldn’t be the bench mark. They themselves are average at best.

Consistent at what? Not wining anything? I would rather be like Pakistan who actually every now and then win something.

 

[latecut]

Bangladesh can beat teams that do the mistake of taking them lightly. South Africa and West Indies did that in this world cup.

If teams play to their potential and do not underestimate Bangladesh, then I cannot see Bangladesh defeating any top ranked teams. Bangladesh have defeated South Africa no doubt, but chances of Bangladesh winning against India and Australia are slim. On the other hand, I feel that they have a good chance of defeating Pakistan.

 

[adil79]

Can anybody clarify exactly how Bangladesh have gone ahead of Pakistan? I am not sure they are even ahead of Srilanka? Its only two years ago Pakistan won CT beating India by 180+ runs when did Bangladesh did that? They couldnt even do that in Asia cup where India was minus kholi and pressure was no way near as much as ICC tournament.

Bangladesh are yet to win anything meaningful despite there best players at peak of their careers.

It's easy. Check results of 2018 Asia Cup, which happened in our home UAE. Also, check the recent matches in this world cup. Also, see the points table. I can bet my life on that bangladesh will end up higher than Pakistan, barring any weather f ups.

 

[Pakhs]

It's easy. Check results of 2018 Asia Cup, which happened in our home UAE. Also, check the recent matches in this world cup. Also, see the points table. I can bet my life on that bangladesh will end up higher than Pakistan, barring any weather f ups.

2018 Asia cup was won by India, and before that Pakistan, When did Bangladesh win it? Last ICC tournament was won by Pakistan when did Bangladesh win it? They have not won anything, Pakistan have actually won something in their worst phase in history where Bangladesh have been consistent failures with their best team ever.

 

[latecut]

If you have to judge a team by how many tournaments it has won, then even England, South Africa and New Zealand are in the same boat as Bangladesh. Even they have not won any tournaments of note in recent memory.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

They have batsmen who have fully developed techniques which would suggest two things:

Firstly they are getting good coaching and learning the basics

Secondly, they must have a decent domestic league and testing pitches which reward good technique.

Pakistani batsmen are often like Fakhar Zaman, players who are predominantly front footed and can get away with slogging even short balls from the front foot because the pitches are easy and allow batsmen to get away with poor footwork and cross bat slogs.

 

[jnaveen1980]

If you have to judge a team by how many tournaments it has won, then even England, South Africa and New Zealand are in the same boat as Bangladesh. Even they have not won any tournaments of note in recent memory.

BD not winning tournament is more to do with their lack of potency in bowling. As they say batsmen win matches, bowlers win tournaments. They don't have threatening bowlers.

 

[jnaveen1980]

They have batsmen who have fully developed techniques which would suggest two things:

Firstly they are getting good coaching and learning the basics

Secondly, they must have a decent domestic league and testing pitches which reward good technique.

Pakistani batsmen are often like Fakhar Zaman, players who are predominantly front footed and can get away with slogging even short balls from the front foot because the pitches are easy and allow batsmen to get away with poor footwork and cross bat slogs.

I agree. Apart from Babar Azam others are not as good as Bangladesh batsmen techniquewise. Imam is okay. But he is more a steady batsman. Tamim can be aggressive. Rahim, Mahamdullah all play short balls better.

 

[jnaveen1980]

If Archer were to be playing for Bangladesh instead of England who knows they might have won one more match.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

I agree. Apart from Babar Azam others are not as good as Bangladesh batsmen techniquewise. Imam is okay. But he is more a steady batsman. Tamim can be aggressive. Rahim, Mahamdullah all play short balls better.

One of the reasons why I have often called Babar our only real class batsman. The rest have half baked techniques which look like amateur league stuff. Imam is probably the next best as in classical style, but he struggles with short balls.

 

[jnaveen1980]

One of the reasons why I have often called Babar our only real class batsman. The rest have half baked techniques which look like amateur league stuff. Imam is probably the next best as in classical style, but he struggles with short balls.

Babar has a good backfoot technique. HE plays in straight lines with vertical bat most of the time especially through off side.

 

[latecut]

Babar's problem is brain-fade moments at the most inopportune occasions. Against Australia he was looking sublime. He hit a four that looked like the shot of the match. Two balls later, he played an atrocious unnecessary shot and was back to the pavilion.

Babar's temperament is letting him down badly in match after match.

 

[10sion]

Bangladesh can beat teams that do the mistake of taking them lightly. South Africa and West Indies did that in this world cup.

If teams play to their potential and do not underestimate Bangladesh, then I cannot see Bangladesh defeating any top ranked teams. Bangladesh have defeated South Africa no doubt, but chances of Bangladesh winning against India and Australia are slim. On the other hand, I feel that they have a good chance of defeating Pakistan.

Lets see West Indies recent record.

In the tri series, played 3 matches against Bangladesh and lost all 3.

In the World Cup they won against Pakistan. Lost against Australia and England. And one no result. After four matches a team that has just 3 points and only one win, taking the chance to take a team 'lightly' against whom they just lost three matches weeks back.... You would think it would be a dumb move.

If a professional team like South Africa, and knowing their history in World Cups, chooses to take a team, be it any team, lightly -- that would be a very dumb move. Can't say the same about Windies but Proteas aren't that dumb.

If teams play to their potential -- the thing is Bangladesh themselves haven't played to their potential. Tamim, Soumya and Mushfiqur haven't played as well as they can. Same with Mashrafe who is a shadow of his former self.

But lets never give credit where credit is due.

Bangladesh are minnows. Minnows remain minnows. They never rise. Never.

 

[The_Odd_One]

The only reason Pakistan has fallen behind Bangladesh and other teams is due to lack of match-winners. Pakistan has 3 batsmen who are ranked in the top 15 ODI batsmen at this time. Bangladesh has none. Still, Bangladesh is a better batting unit than Pakistan which shows how important are match-winners.

Bangladeshi batting has come a long way since the disastrous batting display of Imrul Kayes and Junaid Sidiqqui in Asia cup 2010. Chasing 386 posted by Pakistan, they never showed any intent to chase the total. Bangladeshi team was heavily criticized for displaying such a pathetic mentality, if you remember. Bangladesh has completely changed their batting mentality. Now, they bat to win. No wonder, they chased 300+ score so easily against West Indies. It is not a one-off event. They chased 240 in 38 overs against Pakistan in that infamous whitewash series.

Ironically, the tables have been turned. Babar showed the same cowardice while chasing a similar total in Australia. He was content with batting at 70 SR to score his century. This is the prime reason despite having three batsmen in top 15, Pakistan has such a shameful losing streak at this moment. If Pakistan have to chase 240, they would still do it in the 48th over whether they play England or Afghanistan.

As much as people dislike Afridi, Razzaq, Kamran, etc. Those players were match-winners in their prime. Their 20-30 batting averages were far more valuable than the current 40+ averages of Pakistani batsmen.

Tamim is the only Bangladeshi batsmen who I think has the Pakistani mentality. The rest from Sarkar to Shakib to Rahim to Sabir to Mahmudullah to Das all only play to win. Of course, they will lose more often because overall they are not as strong as England, India, Australia, etc. but they will still produce better results. Bangladesh has become a team to watch. Most of their matches are really good to watch. Pakistan, on the other hand, is the most boring and unlikeable team to watch in world cricket today.

 

[AamchiMumbaikar]

They are India of 90's

 

[Itachi]

I don't think WI should be taken as standard. Pakistan, facing its first match, had some surprising moment and before they had collected themselves, time ran out.

Pakistan at its weakest point will still beat Bangladesh 9/10 times.

 

[Dios]

I don't think WI should be taken as standard. Pakistan, facing its first match, had some surprising moment and before they had collected themselves, time ran out.

Pakistan at its weakest point will still beat Bangladesh 9/10 times.

And yet they've lost the last four games in a row...

 

[DHONI183]

Secret to Bangladesh's success: A perfect recipe of experience, passion & hard work? Lessons for Pak

Passion, the passion and the will power to win, the hunger for success is the biggest key here. Also, no doubt that a great part of their success is down to their four senior batsmen taking the responsibility to see the team through. I in fact find it amazing how a performance from a couple of them is almost guaranteed in each match, if not of three or all of them. All factors combined together play a part here.

For a batting line-up like Bangladesh, who´ve heavily been brought up on the diet of spin bowling, it is amazing for me that they sworded through a target of 321 off just 42 overs against an all-pace attack of the West Indies - and a potent, dangerous and threatening attack if I may add. I watched yesterday´s match with immense intensity and it will go down as one of the most enjoyable world cup matches of all times for me personally. I felt like clapping for them. Alright, they were lucky with quite a few aerial shots that landed safely, and also with the top edges that sailed over the keeper for sixes and fours, but as the saying goes: fortune favours the brave. I just so loved the way they took the attack to the opposition.

Others are capable, I needed no telling on that, but that Litton guy just bowled me over with his brilliant stroke-play. As for Shakib, he keeps growing as a figure within our family for the fact that his emergence and his growth as a player has coincided with the emergence of this Bangladesh team; right from "that" famous win over India in 2007. What a player! I´m sure to tell this story to my grandchildren, I really am! Go Banladesh, just go and get them!

Oh´ and also, he holds a facial resemblance to how I used to look like till the age of eight or nine you could say - so there´s your second reason for being admired within my family. I don´t know how he used to look like in childhood (any pictures?), but if he´d been playing back in the mid-1990s, I could easily have walked out to play for Bangladesh without being recognised! Erm, I know I just exaggerated there, I know.