Injured Shakib flying home

In Bangladesh, cricket is not just a sport, but rather a spirit. It is something that connects every household, every community, and is a language every Bangladeshi knows how to speak. It is one thing that has the power to keep millions of viewers glued to their screens and feel the surge of adrenaline rush at the same time.

And with Bangladesh making waves in cricket and creating moments that will forever be etched in our hearts and memoires, here are the top five most memorable moments of Bangladesh cricket.

Qualifying for the 1999 World Cup and winning ICC Trophy 1997

Albeit having played their first international game in the 1980s, Bangladesh had to wait for their World Cup qualification for over a decade. After making it to the final of the ICC Trophy 1997, Bangladesh secured a spot in the 1999 World Cup. The semi-final against the Netherlands where Akram Khan's heroic performance left the entire nation in joyful tears.

It was a difficult match to watch as Bangladesh initially lost four wickets with only 14 runs, adding to this was a very unfavourable rainy weather. However, the situation took an impressive turn when, towards the final over, the target was achieved and Bangladesh won the match, qualifying themselves for the 1999 World Cup.

Beating Pakistan in the 1999 World Cup

Another momentous glory was when Bangladesh beat Pakistan during the 1999 World Cup. That year, the Tigers were led by the legendary Akram Khan, where the team ended up beating Pakistan by 62 runs, vastly owing to the team effort by Shahriar Hossain and captain Akram Khan, eventually having the Pakistan Team all out by 161 runs.

It was an unbelievable sight to witness, when even before recapping the last wicket and making the final verdict, the crowd was on the ground cheering for Bangladesh! This victory felt like winning beyond cricket and gave Bangladeshis all over the country the true taste of joy. 

The Banglawash

Who does not remember the unforgettable Banglawash in 2010? This series between Bangladesh and New Zealand will always be known and remembered among the Bangladesh cricket fraternity as "Banglawash" as it was a series where Bangladesh clean swept the opponent, winning all matches.

After winning the One Day International series, Bangladesh continued to win the rest of the matches, and this victory remains as one of the greatest achievements for Bangladesh cricket to this day. It was also the series where Rubel Hossain made a mark in the international scene and Bangladesh discovered a gem of a bowler.

Photo: ACC

Bangladesh women cricket win Asia Cup

Bangladesh cricket truly is an example of how cricket brings a nation together, undivided by gender. During the Asia Cup 2018, Bangladesh Women's Cricket Team celebrated massive victory as they defeated India in the final, enabling Bangladesh to achieve its maiden trophy in a multi-team tournament.

The match neared an intense end in the last over where nine runs were required, with Rumana Ahmed and Sanjida Islam batting. In an unprecedented turn of events, with fours and a wicket, the match ended with Jahanara Alam securing the final run. This was a massive and memorable win for the Bangladesh Women's Cricket Team.

Bangladesh losing to Pakistan in Asia Cup 2012    

Not all memorable moments of cricket are associated with winning a match — sometimes the memory of a loss in the field, especially in our own land stays reserved within our hearts for years. Such was the case in Asia Cup 2012, when Bangladesh needed only 9 runs in the last over to win against Pakistan in the final round.

The match took an intense nail-biting finish by the time of the final delivery when Bangladesh was short of four runs. Being so close to claiming the cup and what seemed like an inevitable victory for Bangladesh throughout their batsmanship quickly turned into defeat as Pakistan ended up winning by two runs. Although Bangladesh did not win the match that time, the Tigers won the hearts of the nation. 

Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has signed for Legends of Rupganj today to play in the Dhaka Premier League (DPL) after returning home earlier this morning from the USA.

Rupganj official Toriqul Islam Tito confirmed The Daily Star today that the all-rounder signed for their club to only feature in the four remaining matches of DPL's Super League phase.

Shakib had expressed his desire to enter the ongoing domestic competition to help him to better prepare for next month's home series against Sri Lanka.

"I don't think there was any doubt [about his availability for the Sri Lanka Tests]. It could've been had there been any emergency issue. Of course, I will play the series if I am fit," said the premier all-round, who had to miss the Test series in South Africa due to his family's health crisis, told the reporters upon his return at the Hazrat Shah Jalal International Airport this morning.

"There has been a month-long gap as I've not played. So, if I could play the four Super League matches, it'd help me to arrive into the [Sri Lanka] match better and that's why I have taken this opportunity.

"I took this decision suddenly as I thought my preparation for the Sri Lanka series will be good if I can play those matches," he reiterated.

Shakib was willing to join another team in order to get back into the grind ahead of the Sri Lanka assignment as Mohammedan failed to make the Super League stage, 

Mohammedan director AGM Sabbir yesterday said: "Shakib is very much focused at the moment as far as I can see. When Rupganj approached him, he told us that he wants to play four matches to get into his flow. He wanted to prepare for the Sri Lanka series and, as part of preparations, wants to play the Super League." 

The Sri Lanka cricket team will arrive in Bangladesh on May 8 for a two-match Test series, a part of the 2021-2023 ICC World Test Championship.

Following a two-day practice match, scheduled to begin on May 11, the two teams will play the first Test on May 15 at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram.  

There has been a lot of debate on social media and elsewhere regarding Liton Das's stumping by Mahendra Singh Dhoni in Friday's Asia Cup final. The decision was very close, as multiple angles of the sequence showed, before the third umpire finally ruled in favour of India. Here is what Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza had to say about this: "It is hard to tell. At one point we felt it was not out. I think the third umpire can say it better. Maybe it will be discussed later."