The Bangladesh national cricket team, represents Bangladesh in international cricket nicknamed the Tigers. It is administered by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). Bangladesh is a full member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) with Test and One Day International (ODI) status. It played its first Test match in November 2000 against India in Dhaka, becoming the tenth Test-playing nation.
Bangladesh's first official foray into international cricket came in the 1979 ICC Trophy in England. On 31 March 1986, Bangladesh played its first ODI match, against Pakistan in the Asia Cup. For a long time, football was the most popular sport in Bangladesh, but cricket gradually became very popular – particularly in urban areas – and by the late 1990s had surpassed football.
Bangladesh's first official foray into international cricket came in the 1979 ICC Trophy in England. On 31 March 1986, Bangladesh played its first ODI match, against Pakistan in the Asia Cup. For a long time, football was the most popular sport in Bangladesh, but cricket gradually became very popular – particularly in urban areas – and by the late 1990s had surpassed football.
In undivided India, cricket in Bengal (of which Bangladesh was then a part of) had spread before most other parts of India. Even after Partition, Dacca had hosted a Test before any current Pakistan city. Even then, after Independence, their appearances were limited to sporadic ones in Asia Cup.
They made it to 1999 World Cup, and they shocked the world by following their defeat of Scotland with the shock defeat of Pakistan. They were granted Test status next year, but it took them some time to compete with the bigger guns.
Their first success story came in 2005 when they defeated Australia in a One-Day International. In 2007 they knocked India out of the 2007 World Cup, and followed it up with an easier victory against South Africa. Their performances since then have been erratic, which has been their story throughout the current millennium.
Now, with the presence of a world-class performer in the form of Shakib Al Hasan and the energetic presence of Mushfiqur Rahim at the mantle, there are hopes that they may turn things around.
Current squad
They made it to 1999 World Cup, and they shocked the world by following their defeat of Scotland with the shock defeat of Pakistan. They were granted Test status next year, but it took them some time to compete with the bigger guns.
Their first success story came in 2005 when they defeated Australia in a One-Day International. In 2007 they knocked India out of the 2007 World Cup, and followed it up with an easier victory against South Africa. Their performances since then have been erratic, which has been their story throughout the current millennium.
Now, with the presence of a world-class performer in the form of Shakib Al Hasan and the energetic presence of Mushfiqur Rahim at the mantle, there are hopes that they may turn things around.
Current squad
This is a list of every player to have played for Bangladesh in the last year, and the forms of the game in which they have played. BCB announce 15-man squad for the upcoming World Twenty20. Left-arm spinner Saqlain Sajib will replace Sunny in Bangladesh's World T20 squad, while Taskin will be replaced by offspin-bowling all rounder Shuvagata Hom.
For the 2015 season Bangladesh Cricket Board have announced 14 players contracted to the national side from which selectors choose Test, One-Day and Twenty20 International teams. Un contracted players remain eligible for selection and can be upgraded to a Bangladesh Cricket Board contract if they gain regular selection.
The Bangladesh Cricket ODI, Test, T20 Team List given below:-
ODI, Test Captain: Mushfiqur Rahim
T20 Captain: Tamim Iqbal
Coach : Chandika Hathurusingha
Name | Batting style | Bowling style | Forms |
Mushfiqur Rahim | Right handed | Test, ODI, T20I | |
Mashrafe Mortaza | Right handed | Right arm fast medium | ODI, T20I |
Tamim Iqbal | Left handed | Right arm off break | Test, ODI, T20I |
Shakib Al Hasan | Left handed | Slow left-arm orthodox | Test, ODI, T20I |
Imrul Kayes | Left handed | Test, ODI, T20I | |
Soumya Sarkar | Left handed | Right arm medium fast | Test, ODI, T20I |
Mahmudullah | Right handed | Right arm off break | Test, ODI, T20I |
Mominul Haque | Left handed | Slow left-arm orthodox | Test |
Mosaddek Hossain | Right handed | Right arm off break | |
Mohammad Mithun | Right handed | ODI, T20I | |
Anamul Haque | Right handed | ODI | |
Nurul Hasan | Right handed | T20I | |
Litton Das | Right handed | Test, ODI | |
Shuvagata Hom | Right handed | Right arm off break | Test, T20I |
Muktar Ali | Right handed | Right arm medium fast | |
Rony Talukdar | Right handed | Right arm slow medium | |
Nasir Hossain | Right handed | Right arm medium fast/off break | Test, ODI, T20I |
Sabbir Rahman | Right handed | Right arm Legbreak | ODI, T20I |
Robiul Islam | Right handed | Right arm fast medium | Test |
Mohammad Shahid | Right handed | Right arm medium fast | Test |
Shafiul Islam | Right handed | Right arm fast medium | Test, ODI |
Rubel Hossain | Right handed | Right arm fast | Test, ODI |
Al-Amin Hossain | Right handed | Right arm medium fast | Test, ODI, T20I |
Abul Hasan | Left handed | Right arm medium fast | Test, ODI |
Taskin Ahmed | Left handed | Right arm fast | ODI, T20I |
Mustafizur Rahman | Left handed | Left arm fast medium | Test, ODI, T20I |
Abu Hider | Right handed | Left arm fast medium | T20I |
Arafat Sunny | Left handed | Slow left-arm orthodox | ODI, T20I |
Saqlain Sajib | Left handed | Slow left-arm orthodox | T20I |
Sohag Gazi | Right handed | Right arm off break | – |
Taijul Islam | Left handed | Slow left-arm orthodox | Test |
Jubair Hossain | Right handed | Right arm Legbreak | Test, ODI |
Governing body
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is the governing body for the Bangladeshi cricket team and the sport in the country. The BCB is responsible for maintaining grounds and promoting the sport. It was founded in 1972 as the Bangladesh Cricket Control Board. Its first constitution was drafted in 1976. The board changed its name, dropping "control" from its title, in January 2007. The president of the BCB is appointed by the government of Bangladesh. The board also controls the team's sponsorship. Since 2003 telecommunications company Grameenphone has sponsored the men and women's national teams. Between 2007 and 2011 they invested 151.5 million Bangladeshi taka in developing sport in the country. In 2006 the Board established an academy to encourage the development of young and inexperienced players. The Board issues central contracts to the national players and issuing match fees. In 2005 players were given about $1,000 for each Test they played and $500 per ODI.
Coaching staffs
Head Coach: Chandika Hathurusingha
Assistant Coach: Ruwan Kalpage
Batting Coach: Chandika Hathurusingha
Fast Bowling Coach: Vacant
Spin Bowling Coach: Ruwan Kalpage
Fielding Coach: Richard Halsall
Strength and Conditioning Coach: Mario Villavarayan
Team Physiotherapist: Bayejidul Islam Khan
Team Psychologist: Dr. Soumendra Saha
Team Physician: Dr. Debasish Roy Chowdhury
Team Manager: Khaled Mahmud
Media Manager: Rabeed Imam
Performance Analyst: Nasir Ahmed
In 1997, Bangladesh won the ICC Trophy in Malaysia and thus qualified for its first Cricket World Cup to participate in England in 1999. There, it defeated Pakistan – causing much upset – and also Scotland. On 26 June 2000, Bangladesh was granted full ICC membership.
Bangladesh holds the record for most consecutive losses in Tests (21, between 2000 and 2002) and ODIs (23, between 2001 and 2004). After gaining full member status with the ICC, Bangladesh had to wait until 2004 for its first ODI win since the 1999 World Cup. The team on the losing side on that occasion was Zimbabwe, who also participated in Bangladesh's maiden Test victory in 2005; by securing a draw in the second match, Bangladesh won their first Test series. In 2009 Bangladesh toured the West Indies for two Tests and by winning both secured their first overseas series victory.
As of 3 August 2015, Bangladesh has played 93 Tests, winning only seven. Its first victory was against a young and inexperienced Zimbabwe team, which was hit by a player crisis; the next two were against a West Indian team. Results have improved recently with draws earned against full strength Sri Lankan and New Zealand sides and a win against Zimbabwe.
The team has been more successful in ODIs, having won 98 of its 312 matches. It has also played 62 Twenty20 Internationals, winning 20.
Bangladesh is currently ranked ninth in Tests, seventh in ODIs and tenth in T20Is by the ICC.
History
20th century
Several East Pakistan-based sides played in Pakistani domestic cricket prior to Bangladesh's declaration of independence of 1971—theEast Pakistan cricket team fielded three players who later played ICC Trophy matches. In 1977, Bangladesh became an Associate member of the International Cricket Council (ICC). Bangladesh was one of fifteen teams to take part in the inaugural ICC Trophy. Held in 1979, it gave non-Test playing countries the opportunity to qualify for that year's World Cup. Bangladesh, under the captaincy of Raqibul Hasan, won two matches and lost two, but failed to progress beyond the first round. Victory in the South-East Asian Cricket Conference Tournament in February 1984 ensured Bangladesh qualified for the 1986 Asia Cup. On 31 March 1986, Bangladesh played their first One Day International against a full member of the ICC; Captained by Gazi Ashraf, Bangladesh were dismissed for 94 and Pakistan reached their target for victory with seven wickets in hand. They lost their second ODI which was against Sri Lanka, finishing last in the three-team tournament. Bangladesh qualified for the 1988 Asia Cup, this time hosting the tournament; it was the first time ODIs had been staged in the country. Although they lost all their matches, Bangladesh's fixtures were retrospectively awarded ODI. Floods in the preceding months meant the tournament was in doubt, but it went ahead as planned. A charity match raised $70,000 for the flood victims.
Bangladesh took part in the 1990 Austral-Asia Cup, the Asia Cup in 1990–91, 1995, and 1997, but it was not until 1998 that they won their first ODI. Their 22-match losing streak since their first ODI was at the time a record. Bangladesh posted its first ODI win against Kenya, in India thanks largely to Mohammad Rafique, who contributed a fiery 77 runs and took 3 wickets. Put on 137 for the first wicket with Athar Ali Khan. Athar's own contribution was 47. In October 1998, Bangladesh hosted (but did not participate in) the first ever ICC KnockOut Trophy (which later became the ICC Champions Trophy), a knock-out ODI tournament featuring all the Test playing nations.
Bangladesh took part in the 1990 Austral-Asia Cup, the Asia Cup in 1990–91, 1995, and 1997, but it was not until 1998 that they won their first ODI. Their 22-match losing streak since their first ODI was at the time a record. Bangladesh posted its first ODI win against Kenya, in India thanks largely to Mohammad Rafique, who contributed a fiery 77 runs and took 3 wickets. Put on 137 for the first wicket with Athar Ali Khan. Athar's own contribution was 47. In October 1998, Bangladesh hosted (but did not participate in) the first ever ICC KnockOut Trophy (which later became the ICC Champions Trophy), a knock-out ODI tournament featuring all the Test playing nations.
Under Dav Whatmore (2003–2007)
In the aftermath of Bangladesh's World Cup campaign, Khaled Mahmud replaced Khaled Mashud as captain,and Kamal was sacked as coach with Dav Whatmore taking over the role. Whatmore was not able to begin the job immediately, so Sarwar Imran acted as interim coach during Bangladesh's tour of South Africa in April and May. In 2003 Bangladesh played nine Test and 21 ODIs, losing every match apart from an ODI against West Indies which ended in no result. In September, Bangladesh came very close to its first Test victory, when it lost to Pakistan by only one wicket. It was just the tenth time in Test history that a team had lost by a single wicket. In series against Pakistan, Alok Kapali became the first Bangladesh player to take a hat-trick in Test cricket, dismissing Shabbir Ahmed, Danish Kaneria, and Umar Gul. When England toured Bangladesh October and November, Bangladesh's captain, Mahmud, was booed. Ahead of Bangladesh's tour of Zimbabwe in February and March the next year, he was dropped from the squad and batsman Habibul Bashar was granted the captaincy. At the time, Zimbabwe were without many of their senior players. Bangladesh lost the Test series 1–0, and the ODI series 2–1. The second Test was drawn and brought to an end their run of 21 consecutive defeats dating back to November 2001, a world record in Test cricket. The solitary ODI victory was Bangladesh's first international win since defeating Pakistan in the 1999 World Cup.
Bangladesh's next matches were against the West Indies in May and June. Bangladesh lost the ODI series 3–0 and the Test series 1–0; by drawing the first match, Bangladesh managed to avoid defeat for just the third time in 29 Tests. In December, Bangladesh defeated India in its hundredth ODI, this being only the third time that it had won against a Test playing nation.
In January 2005, Zimbabwe toured Bangladesh for two Tests and five ODIs. The touring Zimbabwe side had suffered due to player disputes which in 2004 had led to the country's temporary suspension from Test cricket. Of Zimbabwe's 16-man squad, only their captain had played more than nine Tests; Bangladesh were the more experienced team. In the first match, Bangladesh secured their maiden victory in Test cricket. Bangladesh's batsmen secured a draw in the second Test by batting out the final five session after coach Dav Whatmore had opined that "Zimbabwe will win, unless our batsmen do something special". In the match – which helped secure a historic first series victory for Bangladesh – Enamul Haque Jr broke his own bowling record for best figures in an innings for Bangladesh by taking 7 wickets for 95 runs, and secured the best figures in a match for Bangladesh: 12 wickets for 200 runs. In the ODI series that followed, Zimbabwe won the opening two contests, and Bangladesh won the final three to take the series.
After their maiden Test victory, Bangladesh embarked on its first tour of England in May and June 2005. The team faced unfamiliar conditions and the batsmen struggled against seam bowling. Bangladesh lost both matches in the Test series by an innings; the second Test was the 22nd time it had happened in 38 Tests. Pundits Mike Atherton and Richie Benaud criticised the team's performances and suggested Bangladesh was not yet suited to Test cricket. A triangular series with England and Australia followed. Bangladesh won just one match out of six, but their solitary victory was against an Australian side that at the time were world champions in what Wisdendescribed as "the biggest upset in one-day international history". Mohammad Ashraful scored his first century in that match with a score of exactly 100, which was enough to take the team to victory and then played a blistering knock of 94 off 53 balls against England the following match. Bangladesh's next fixture was in Sri Lanka in September for two Tests and three ODIs. After the one-off victory against Australia in England, Bangladesh were a more confident team; however, Sri Lanka won all five matches by large margins. Captain Habibul Bashar lamented his side's defeat, describing it as "the worst tour since I took over the captaincy".
The first home One-Day International series of 2006 began with some optimism for Bangladesh, which registered its first-ever win againstSri Lanka, in the second ODI of the series. At the end of March, Bangladesh played four ODIs against Kenya, winning all four. Then in April, Bangladesh came very close to beating Australia in a Test match, taking a first-innings lead of 158, and eventually losing by only three wickets. At the end of July, Bangladesh toured Zimbabwe as the ODI series favourites but lost 3–2. In August, the team defeated Kenya in all three matches of a series and subsequently went on to whitewash Zimbabwe in an ODI series staged in Bangladesh. That year,Shahriar Nafees became the first Bangladeshi to score over a thousand runs (which included three centuries) in a calendar year, whileMashrafe Mortaza became the leading wicket-taker in the world in ODIs staged in 2006 with 49 wickets.
Under Jamie Siddons (2007–2011)
South Africa hosted the 2007 ICC World Twenty20 in September. In a match against Bangladesh, Australian fast bowler Brett Lee took the first ever Twenty20 International (T20I) hat-trick. Bangladesh defeated the West Indies to progress to the second stage of the tournament; however, it was the only match they won in the tournament.[69] Jamie Siddons was appointed coach in October. At the end of 2007 Bangladesh toured New Zealand. Bangladesh was soundly beaten 3–0 in the one dayers. The third match was the largest defeat in the history of ODI cricket for a side batting first.
Bangladesh started the year 2008 with a tour of New Zealand. The Test matches were one sided, with Bangladesh losing 2–0. South Africa toured Bangladesh and won all matches, including both Tests and all three ODIs. Bangladesh then beat non-Test-playing Ireland 3–0 in an ODI series.
In October, New Zealand toured Bangladesh for three ODIs and two Tests. Shortly before the tour, fourteen Bangladesh players left to play in the Indian Cricket League and were subsequently banned for ten years. Six of the players were centrally contracted, including former captain Habibul Bashar. With a less experienced team than usual and a poor record against New Zealand, Bangladesh were expected to lose heavily. After winning the opening ODI, Bangladesh went on to lose series 2–1. New Zealand won the first Test by three wickets in what their coach, John Bracewell, described as "one of the great character wins".
New Zealand also won the second Test, taking the series 2–0, but in the process Shakib Al Hasan emerged as an all-rounder. Having previously been selected primarily as a batsmen, he went on to take the best bowling figures in an innings for a Bangladesh player, 7 wickets for 36 runs, beating the record set by Enamul Haquer three years earlier.
In November, Bangladesh toured South Africa. They lost all their matches to South Africa, including the only T20I match, two of the three ODIs (the third being washed out due to rain) and both Tests. In December, however, Bangladesh bounced back from the previous lacklustre performances by threatening to win the first Test match against Sri Lanka by chasing down the highest fourth innings of total of 513. Though they fell 107 runs short, their performances were praised but in the second match of the home series in January, Bangladesh fell to an innings defeat.
The year 2009 started with the innings defeat in the 2nd Test match against Sri Lanka. Then Zimbabwe joined the hosts and the Lankan team for a tri-series tournament, which proved to be more evenly matched than was expected. In the first match, Zimbabwe defeated Bangladesh by an excellent performance but then fell to defeat by a huge margin by Sri Lanka leaving Bangladesh needing to win against the Lankans in the last match to go through to the finals to join the Lankans, and that also with a bonus point.
Under Stuart Law (2011–2012)
A lengthy hunt for a head coach, followed Siddons' exit encountering the names of Vincent Barnes and Stuart Law as possible appointees. Law, who at the time was the acting head coach of Sri Lanka following Trevor Bayliss' departure, was named Bangladesh's new head coach in June. Bangladesh toured Zimbabwe in August for a one-off Test and five ODIs. The Test marked Zimbabwe's return to the longest-format of the game, after a self-imposed withdrawal in January 2006 as the sport in the country was in a state of disarray. Bangladesh lost the match by 130 runs. Though they were expected to with the Test and the ODIs, Bangladesh lost the subsequent one-day series 3–2. In the aftermath of the series, Shakib was sacked as captain, with a BCB representative citing his poor leadership. Later that month, wicket-keeper Mushfiqur Rahim was named captain, with all-rounder Mahmudullah as his deputy.Bangladesh' struggles at international level have been epitomised by the ineffectiveness of their fast bowlers. Between January 2010 and August 2011, they took 37 wickets in 8 Tests at an average of 67.67, the worst out of the nine teams playing regular Test cricket in this period.
Though Bangladesh won Rahim's first match in charge, a T20I against the West Indies in October, the team lost the subsequent ODI series 2–1 and the two-match Test series 1–0. Pakistan toured in December, and during the first of three ODIs Bangladesh were dismissed for their 13th score of less than 100 in the format, overtaking Zimbabwe's record of 12 times. In March Bangladesh hosted in the 2012 Asia Cup featuring India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Bangladesh entered the tournament with just two wins from 29 Asia Cup matches. Victories against India and Sri Lanka saw Bangladesh face Pakistan in the final, only the second time the team had reached the final of a multi-national competition. Though Pakistan won the final by two runs, Bangladesh had exceeded expectations. During the tournament, Tamim Iqbal became the first Bangladeshi player to score four consecutive fifties in ODIs. Shakib Al Hasan was named man of the series after contributing with both the bat and the ball, making 237 runs and taking 6 wickets respectively. The following month Law announced he would be stepping down as coach in June when his contract was due to expire for personal reasons.
Under Shane Jurgensen (2013–2014)
Australian Shane Jurgensen was appointed as Bangladesh's head coach. He was the side's interim coach in their previous international series, against West Indies in which the home side won the ODI series 3–2.
Bangladesh toured Sri Lanka in March for a full series. In the 1st Test at Galle Mushfiqure Rahim scored the first double century for Bangladesh in test cricket. Mohammad Ashraful chipping in with a handy 190. They drew the Test against Sri Lanka, first time against them on the way to creating some new Bangladesh records. The 2nd test was lost and they ultimately lost the series (0–1). After losing the 1st ODI by 8 wickets and no result in the 2nd ODI (due to heavy rain) Bangladesh won the rain affected 3rd ODI to share the ODI series (1–1). They lost the one-off T20I.
Then they toured Zimbabwe for Zimbabwe's Test comeback series. Bangladesh lost the 1st Test by 335 runs and won the 2nd Test by 173 runs and drew the series (1–1). Lost the ODI series (1–2) and drew T20I series (1–1). Later in 2013 Bangladesh drew the two-test series (0–0) at home soil against New Zealand for the first time in their history, followed by 3–0 series whitewash win in ODIs. But lost the one off T20I.
After a relatively good year (2013) for Bangladesh, 2014 started with a full series at home against Sri Lanka. 1st Test was lost by an innings and the 2nd test was a draw, ended up losing the series (0–1). Bangladesh got whitewashed in both ODI (0–3) and T20I (0–2) series. That was followed up by a series of defeats against Asian Cricketing nations (India, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Sri Lanka) at the Asia Cup 2014 league matches conducted at their home soil. The highlight was the loss to Afghanistan which is an Associate member. Lost all (0–4) and finished at the bottom of the table. Bangladesh ended their winless run for 11 games in 2014 defeating two associates (Afghanistan and Nepal) in consecutive T20Is at the World T20 2014 Qualifying round but lost to another associate Hong Kong. In the following Super 10, Bangladesh lost all (0–4) their matches.
The coach resigned from his position less than a month after the World T20, where the team won just two out of seven matches.
Under Chandika Hathurusingha (2014–)
The BCB appointed Chandika Hathurusingha, a former Sri Lanka batsman, as Bangladesh's head coach for a two-year period. The first series under the new coach was against India at home. Bangladesh lost the first & second ODI comprehensively and the 3rd was washed out and lost the series 2–0. Bangladesh toured West Indies for a full series in August. West Indies beat Bangladesh 3–0 in the ODI series extending Bangladesh's win-less ODI run for 13 matches. In the 2nd ODI Bangladesh was bundled out for 70 which is the 3rd lowest total for Bangladesh. Bangladesh lost the match by 177 Runs. Only the T20 match was abandoned. Further, West Indies white washed Bangladesh in the Test series 2–0, defeating Bangladesh by 10 wickets in the 1st Test and by 296 runs in the 2nd Test respectively. Bangladesh finally emerged victorious during the Zimbabwe tour in Bangladesh whitewashing the visitors 3-0 during the Test series. Bangladesh claimed #9 ranking with the series victory pushing Zimbabwe to #10. In the ODI series Bangladesh whitewashed Zimbabwe 5-0. At the turn of the new year, Bangladeshi all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan emerged as the number one all rounder in all formats of the game. This was the first time ever that any player achieved such a feat, after the ICC introduced ranking system.
During the group stage of the 2015 Cricket World Cup, Bangladesh defeated Afghanistan in their first game, but their next match against Australia was Washed Out. They lost their next game to Sri Lanka by 92 runs. Following that, they achieved their highest successful run-chase in an ODI, when they chased down Scotland's 318, and later qualified for the second quarterfinal in the 2015 world cup, by defeating England. At the second quarter final, India defeated Bangladesh by 109 runs. Bangladesh was finally knocked out of the 2015 World Cup, after reaching the quarter-finals for the first time.
On arriving back in Bangladesh on 22 March after a successful World Cup campaign, the whole team was given a grand reception at the Airport. After arriving back, Bangladesh played an ODI series where they won 3-0 against Pakistan. The ODI series win gave Bangladeshi their first series victory over Pakistanis. A full strength Indian team arrived to Bangladesh on June after the series "Banglawash" against Pakistan. The Indians were expected to win comfortably. However, excellent performances by the batsmen and ODI debutant bowler Mustafizur Rahman had the tables turned over as Bangladesh convincingly won the first two ODIs and for the first time, won a bilateral series against India by a margin of 2-1. With the victory, for the first time in Bangladesh cricket history, they were able to win three consecutive bilateral series until 15 July 2015, when Bangladesh confirm another ODI series win by a margin of 2-1, the first ever series win against South Africa, and 4th consecutive ODI series win in their home soil.
Although South Africa took the lead at the first ODI match, Bangladesh came back strongly and completely dominated South Africa in the following two matches, to win the series by a margin of 2-1, showing excellent performance in all three departments where none of the team in any match could reach 200 runs in an innings in the whole ODI series.
The golden memory continued to Bangladesh when they became runner up of 2016 Asia Cup, played in home soil. They defeated mighty T20I champions Sri Lanka and Pakistan in group stage and also beat UAE, qualified to the Asia Cup final for the second time. They lost only to India in a group match and in the final.
Bangladesh playing against Zimbabwe in 2009. Fans can be seen in the background waving a Bangladesh flag.
Supporters of the Bangladesh cricket team
opined that "In Bangladesh cricket is not simply a game, it is a symbol of national unity", and in the words of AHM Mostofa Kamal, president of the BCB in 2011, "People of Bangladesh take cricket religiously"
The people of Bangladesh are referred as "the most passionate cricket fans" among the cricket world. When Bangladesh are victorious, the fans sometimes take to the streets in celebration. When Bangladesh defeated South Africa in the 2007 World Cup, thousands of people celebrated into the night on the streets of Dhaka despite there being a ban on public gatherings at the time. Although fans are jubilant in victory, they can also be vocal in defeat. When Bangladesh lost to England in an ODI in November 2003, the then captain Khaled Mahmud was booed off the field. During the 2011 World Cup, Bangladesh succumbed to a record defeat against West Indies, registering the team's lowest score in ODIs. The buses of both teams were stoned (Bangladesh's intentionally, West Indies' mistakenly), as was Shakib Al Hasan's house.
