Reminiscence: My first match

I am widely unpopular among my friends, family and colleagues for remembering things. And hence, as I take my turn to reminisce about the first live match that I watched, I could just barely recall some flashes of the day Bangladesh took on England on March 5, 2010 at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram, my hometown. 

But even though I am unable to recall much, I vividly remember that I was left heart-broken at the end of the day. Bangladesh had lost the match by 45 runs but I would be lying if I say that that was the reason behind my tears.

Even days before when my father managed tickets for the game for the 13-year-old me, my younger brother and my uncle -- who was vested with the responsibility of our safekeeping and escorting us back home on time -- I was dying in anticipation, thinking about the day I could finally watch Tamim Iqbal, the local boy, smashing some boundaries and sixes and providing the locals with a lot to brag about for days.   

The day had finally come and we (me, my brother and our uncle) started hours before the scheduled 9:00 am start of play even though the stadium was just a 40-taka rickshaw fare away from my place.

I remember that the sun had not been crueller that entire summer, burning with all it's might. I was still not bothered. And why would I be? I was certain that it would all be worth it if I get to see Tamim taking all the frustration out on English bowlers.

We made it to the gallery -- I don't remember which one -- and after a few minutes, Shakib Al Hasan won the toss and elected to field. I was a bit disappointed as my wait for seeing Tamim in action was extended.

My disappointment would soon increase 10-fold seeing almost a new face in the England squad, Craig Kieswetter, tearing the Tigers' bowling line-up apart. I might have consoled myself had I witnessed any one among the likes of Alastair Cook, Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood and Eoin Morgan rampaging but it was Kieswetter's century that helped England pile up 284 for five.

A big total? Well that just means Tamim has more runs to chase, ergo more fireworks to come, yay! -- I thought to myself as the battered Tigers made their way to the dressing room.

Finally, the moment I had been waiting for arrived. Tamim walked out and took strike. Taking a deep breath, I waited as debutant Ajmal Shahjad ran in and enticed Tamim to have a go at a wide delivery outside off. Tamim missed it just as my heart skipped a beat.

Tamim connected the next one but my heartbeats gathered pace, perhaps indicating what was about to happen. Tamim, who is now the batsman the team plays around, was not renowned for his sensible nature back then as he often used to lose his cool initially. I was praying and hoping that it would be one of those days when the elegant left-hander gets past the initial phase and unleashes the beast later on. However, proving my fears right, Tamim could not contain his urge and slashed hard at an outside off delivery the very next ball and was caught near the boundary at third man.

I just stood there, feeling totally numb as I saw Tamim walk back without opening his account. If this happened now, I would have rationalised it saying any player may have a bad day, but back then there was nothing that could console a 13-year-old kid. I was upset, so much so that I convinced my brother and uncle to go back home just minutes after Tamim's dismissal.

Tamim did somewhat make up for breaking my heart that day when he smashed an incredible unbeaten 141 for Comilla Victorians against Dhaka Dynamites in the final of the Bangladesh Premier League in February 2019, with me writing about his rampage at the press box in Mirpur.

But even after all these years, even after being at the receiving end of many other heartbreaks in personal life, I still cannot forget the one meted out by Tamim that scorching day in 2010.