There is a common saying, 'He who is good at the end, is good at everything.' Is that true in the case of Bangladesh cricket? Although there were some great achievements towards the end of the year, can it be called 'good'? The much-awaited World Cup was a grey one for Bangladesh!
The busiest year in Bangladesh cricket history has passed. The 2023 season has left with mixed feelings of achievement and failure. This period was quite significant in terms of Asia Cup, World Cup and various other events. While Bangladesh smiled occasionally, most of the time it was surrounded by disappointment.
The Bangladesh national cricket team did not play any international matches in the first two months of 2023. However, after that, the busy schedule did not allow for any rest. The busy schedule started with an ODI against England on March 1 and ended on the very last day of the year, with a T20 against New Zealand.
However, during this time, the Bangladesh team has made history. It has completed a half-century for the first time in terms of match play. It has played 50 matches in all three formats of cricket throughout the year. Bangladesh, which entered cricket in 1986, has never played so many matches in a year before in its history. The previous highest was 46 matches in 2021 and 2022.
The year started with an ODI series against England at home. Although the team failed to live up to expectations, winning just one match. However, the Tigers whitewashed the Three Lions in the T20 series. And they ended with the taste of winning an ODI and T20 match for the first time on New Zealand soil.
The image of Bangladesh, which is faded in white, has changed somewhat in the past year. Bangladesh has won three of the four Tests played in 2023. In between, the Tigers have also won against former World Test Championship champions New Zealand. And they have recorded the biggest win in Test cricket history by defeating Afghanistan.
Bangladesh turned their home ground into their fortress by losing just one series in the ODI format from 2015 to 2022. They became invincible in their own tent. But in 2023, that mirror was shattered. They had to lose a series at home, even against a team like Afghanistan!
The situation away from home is even more precarious. They were crushed by a crushing defeat to India in the Asia Cup. However, they won only two of their nine matches in the World Cup. They were humiliated by losing to a team like the Netherlands. In total, they lost 18 of their 32 ODIs in 2023 against 11 wins. Three matches were abandoned.
However, Bangladesh has seen success in T20s. After a disastrous T20 World Cup in 2022, Bangladesh turned around in this format under the leadership of Shakib Al Hasan. Along with teams like England and New Zealand, the Tigers also defeated Afghanistan and Ireland in T20s. In total, Bangladesh has won 8 of the 11 T20 matches, losing only two. The other one was abandoned.
Nazmul Hossain Shanto was the highest run-scorer for Bangladesh in Test and ODI formats in 2023. He scored 440 runs with three centuries in four Tests. In ODIs, he scored 992 runs with two centuries and eight half-centuries in 27 matches. Shanto was number two in T20Is, where his run tally was 218.
Mushfiqur Rahim is the second best batsman in 2023. The experienced batsman has scored 355 runs in Tests. And in ODIs, he has scored 846 runs at an average of 37. Shakib Al Hasan has scored the third highest runs in ODIs with 735 runs. And Liton Das has scored the highest runs in T20Is with 324 runs.
Taskin Ahmed is the best bowler in the country. He has 46 wickets in all three formats. He has taken 4 wickets in Tests and 26 wickets in ODIs. He has taken the highest number of 16 wickets in T20Is. However, Shariful Islam has taken the highest number of 32 wickets in ODIs. Spinner Taijul Islam has the most wickets in Tests. He has taken 26 wickets in four Tests.
Shakib Al Hasan had said before the start of the year that 2023 would be the best year in the history of Bangladesh cricket. Although on paper, it is true, but the World Cup failure seems to have won it. Now it remains to be seen what gift Bangladesh Cricket will give to its fans in the new year.
