Time to forget '58 all out'

FORGET TUESDAY: West Indies skipper Darren Sammy (L) explains a point to paceman Ravi Rampaul during their training session at the Cricket Academy ground in Mirpur yesterday.Photo: STAR

One wouldn't be at fault for believing that Bangladesh's fantastic come-from-behind Twenty20 win against the West Indies in Mirpur on Tuesday would be enough to remove bitter memories of a disaster that took place at the same venue seven months ago against the same opponents.
The impact of "58 all out" has far reaching consequences, much of which were suffered by the Tigers; they are still facing curt reminders, especially these days when the West Indies are touring the country.
For the pessimist, the electronic scoreboard displaying the final score was symbolic as Darren Sammy's men laughed all the way to the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium dressing room on that outrageous March 4 afternoon. What really stood out during the earth-shattering defeat was the boss's confusion; Shakib Al Hasan's hesitancy between a drive and a sweep that resulted in his dismissal showed just how baffling that day was for the overconfident hosts.
The sea of change (as much as it is possible in seven months) since that day have intensified the call to bury the ghost once and for all.
According to Abdur Razzak, who was unbeaten on two and bowled a single over that day, the Tigers haven't forgotten, or in his words, haven't been let to do so.
"We forget the wins but we can't seem to forget the 58," said the left-arm spinner yesterday.
"The more we try to put it out of our mind, the more we are reminded of it. I personally think that it is not right."
Razzak's candour gave away his teammates' urge to even the score, a state of mind West Indies had when they travelled to the city to play that World Cup match.
Kieron Pollard too believes "58 all out" has a mental hold on the Tigers, though he tried to play it down for the sake of humility.
"Obviously there is a slight psychological advantage for us, but having said that it was in the World Cup and in that pressure anything can happen," said the West Indies all-rounder.
"It's a new series and it's eleven against eleven. Hopefully we see how it progresses. Once we do the basics right we have a good enough team to beat Bangladesh," added the man whose only contribution in that game was a fine catch at point.
In early 2009, West Indies did a similar demolition job at Sabina Park in Kingston by bowling out England for 51 runs. Though it was the nadir of the Andrew Strauss-Andy Flower reign, the calamity was overturned into an inspiration and in the space of two years, their rise as the No 1 Test team in the world is marvelled.
Whether 58 all out is an equally stirring instance is a question Bangladesh will answer today.