The Beginning of a New Era for Bangladesh Cricket · Global Voices
পান্থ রহমান রেজা (Pantha)

Bangladeshi team poses for a group photo with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the end of the Dan Cake Cricket Series at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Photo by Md Manik. Copyright: Demotix (24/04/2015)
The last few days were a dream for Bangladesh cricket. Following a successful 2015 ICC World Cup, in which the team reached the quarterfinals, Bangladesh swept Pakistan 3-0 in the One Day International series and defeated the same country in a lone Twenty-20 match quite convincingly. All these performances show that a new era for Bangladesh cricket has began.
So far, Bangladesh used to be considered a minnow in a sea of big fish, a small team prone to huge defeats. But the situation has changed. In 2015 in particular, they have been playing competitive cricket consistently. From Bangladeshi fans to world-famous ex-cricketers, trainers, sport reporters, commentators and cricket lovers all around the world, this is truly the start of something exciting for the spirited Tigers, as the team is called.
Writing in the Dhaka Tribune, Minhaz Uddin Khan gave an example of how Bangladesh cricket team has changed:
Gone are the days when Bangladesh was depended on a couple of star players in order to eke out a win. The emergence of several performers and their maturity have given new hope to the supporters. The convincing series win over Pakistan has no doubt ushered in a new era for Bangladesh cricket.
On Twitter, user Reem was proud for the team's successes:
Absolutely destroyed Pakistan. This ladies and gentlemen is the #riseofthetigers #Banglawash #proud
— Reem S (@ReemDoha) April 22, 2015
Bappy was impressed by Bangladesh’s performance:
This Bangladesh team can beat any team in world cricket. Well done Bangladesh #RiseOfTheTigers #BANvsPAK
— Bappy (@im_bappy) abril 22, 2015
Blogger Ishtiaq Rouf credited Sri Lankan coach Hathurusinghe for this achievement:
Said it during the World Cup, saying it again. I am absolutely amazed at how Hathurusinghe and his coaching staff have transformed Bangladesh. There is a bit of Lankan doggedness in this team. Everyone is pulling in the same direction, the team is greater than the sum of its parts. […]
From Nepal, Ramesh Aryal commented:
That was a remarkable cricket from #Bangla.. The beginning of new era of Cricket.
— Ramesh Aryal (@rameyesh) April 23, 2015
Even the official Twitter account of the International Cricket Council tweeted:
A complete performance with bat and ball sees Bangladesh win the 1st ODI by 79 runs: http://t.co/OsoV58MVDd #BanvPak pic.twitter.com/cpTAwuCH7d
— ICC (@ICC) April 17, 2015
VVS Laxman, a former Indian cricketer, saw the positive attitude and confidence among Bangladeshi cricketers:
Congrats to Bangladesh on a comprehensive series win against Pakistan. They are growing in confidence since the World Cup.#Whitewash
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) April 22, 2015
Indian cricket journalist Ayaz Memon was surprised by Bangladesh's performance:
Clean sweep against Pak. Who would have thought? Well played Bangladesh!
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) April 22, 2015
Dileep Premachandran, who is editor-in-chief of Wisden India, tweeted:
Looks like #BAN are cruising to a 3-0 series win against #PAK. They've been mighty impressive, building on World Cup gains. #BANvsPAK
— Dileep Premachandran (@SpiceBoxofEarth) April 22, 2015
Cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle was taken aback by Bangladesh's skill:
Pakistan haven't just been beaten, they have been annihilated by @BCBtigers. I thought the World Cup was the best I have seen them play.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 22, 2015
But Sri Lankan ex-cricker Russel Arnold thought that Bangladesh has a ways to go:
Hope @BCBtigers players enjoy D moment ND stay grounded unlike D fans..There is a long road ahead .. More hard work and dedication required
— Russel Arnold (@RusselArnold69) April 23, 2015
Former Bangladesh bowling coach and ex-England cricketer Ian Pont told off doubters:
Yet again @BCBtigers continue to prove the doubters wrong. New faces coming in and youngsters doing a job #BANvPAK Alhamdulillah
— Ian Pont (@Ponty100mph) April 24, 2015
According to Wikipedia, Bangladesh first entered the international cricket scene officially during the 1979 ICC Trophy in England. On 31 March 1986, Bangladesh played its first ODI match, against Pakistan in the Asia Cup. Eleven years later, Bangladesh won the ICC Trophy in Malaysia, which qualified the country to participate in its first Cricket World Cup in England in 1999. It played its first Test match, the longest form of cricket, in 2000 (against India at Dhaka), becoming the tenth Test cricket playing nation. Bangladesh is a full member of the International Cricket Council with Test and One Day International status (currently at no. 9 of the 10 full members).