Have Bangladesh finally come out of the shadow of their Asian neighbours?

Bangladesh have risen to the point where they can no longer be considered minnows

For as long as they’ve played international cricket, a series against Bangladesh has been considered an easy win for the opposing team – a warm-up canter for more important fixtures. However, no longer can the Tigers be underestimated and treated lightly. They have shown recently that they are not the also-rans of international cricket any more, but a serious threat, especially in the One Day International arena.

From being the ‘little brother’ of neighbouring Asian cricketing counterparts such as India and Pakistan, the Tigers have well and truly emerged from the shadows of the sub-continental cricketing heavyweights. Here’s why.

One Day world beaters

It has been in the One Day International arena where Bangladesh have really announced their coming-of-age as an international side. Fresh off an encouraging World Cup campaign where they made a stunning run to the Quarter-Finals, including a fantastic win over England in the group stages, they have now added a couple of huge scalps to their growing bundle.

The Tigers first cruised to a crushing 3-0 series victory against Pakistan in April and began their giant-killing spree. The star-studded Indian team was the next to be slain by the so-called minnows, comprehensively winning 2-1, followed by the outstanding dismantling of a world-class South African side, as they again claimed a series victory by a 2-1 margin. These major coups were all scored at home, showing that Bangladesh are turning their country into a cricketing fortress, somewhere feared by opposition teams to play at.

Far from only being able to play on their home pitches though, the aforementioned World Cup success in Australia and New Zealand - where the majority of pitches were bouncy, hard and conducive to seam - proves that the Tigers can compete, and win, in all conditions.

Passing the Test

While their ODI form is most impressive, that’s not to say that Bangladesh aren't finding their feet at Test level. In their most recent appearance in the cream clothing – a one-off Test against India – the results were very promising for the smaller nation. While the match petered out into a draw (India would likely have won if not for rain delays), they showed great heart in the field and with the bat.

As India pounded 6 for 462 declared, the Bangladesh bowlers never stopped scheming – something that will hold them in good stead. With the bat they made only 256 runs in their first innings, but the quality performance of Imrul Kayes stood out, with 72 gritty, hard-earned runs. The efforts of first drop Mominul Haque (30), star batsman Soumya Sarkar (37) and wicketkeeper Liton Das (44) were commendable, as they battled hard to take the fight to India.

With all signs pointing in the right direction, as they gain more Test experience under their belts you can bet that Bangladesh will keep on improving.

Young stars leading the way

World’s best all-rounder: Shakib Al Hasan

A host of Bangladesh young-guns weave an exciting path for the future. Leading the school of players on the rise is the ICC’s current number 1 ranked all-rounder in all three forms of the game, Shakib Al Hasan.

The left-hand batsman has a statistical ODI record to be proud of, with a batting average of just under 36 with 6 centuries and 30 fifties. As well as his outstanding figures with the blade, he has snared a mighty 201 wickets with his left-arm-orthodox spin, with a career best of 4 for 16 from his 156 matches.

His Test stats are not to be sneezed at either – an average of just under 40 with the bat and a highest score of 144, he also has picked 149 wickets with the ball. Last but not the least, his International T20 career has yielded 843 runs from 38 matches, as well as an astonishing 45 wickets – a handy resume to have!

Other players trekking up the mountain of international success for the Tigers include the young but experienced 26-year-old opener, Tamim Iqbal, who is fresh off a solid 61 not out in their latest win over South Africa, and was the ODI Man Of The Series against Pakistan recently. Iqbal’s One Day opening partner Soumya Sarkar was the star of the South African series though, taking the Man of the Series honours with scores of 90, 88* and 27 in the three-game battle.

Paceman Rubel Hossain has also been one to impress; outstanding at the World Cup, he has the heart of a lion and never gives up, while displaying some subtle tricks with the ball too.

With the quality of these men taking Bangladesh forward, along with a host of ever-improving cricketers with them, you can be sure that the Tigers will soon be considered on the same level as their Asian neighbours – if they aren’t already.