New Delhi: Not even a month has passed since the nation of Bangladesh was thrown into turmoil, with the Prime Minister handing her resignation to the citizens and fleeing the country, which is still searching for a “healing touch” that could work towards its betterment. History has it that in such situations, sports has worked wonders, bringing together people to celebrate and share the joy alike.
On Tuesday, Bangladesh thrashed the Pakistan cricket team at their home, winning the second Test by six wickets and completing a historic series sweep in Rawalpindi. The two-Test series was nothing short of cinema as Pakistan, who were expected to perform a cakewalk, were left in tatters. The series started with a historic 10-wicket first-Test win by Bangladesh and just when Pakistan thought of equalising, they were knocked off in the second game as well.
Bangladesh’s players celebrate with trophy after winning the second and last Test cricket match between Pakistan and Bangladesh, at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi on September 3, 2024. (Photo – AFP)
For all the strife that the Bangladesh citizens including the cricketers are facing off the field, this win against one of the former powerhouses of Test cricket would be the exact healing touch that the whole of Bangladesh could benefit from. It was in July when Bangladesh saw nationwide protests, with all streets blocked and the youth fighting the blows inflicted by Bangladesh police.
Fighting for a reform in Bangladesh’s job quota system which grants benefits to the descendants of Bangladesh’s 1971 liberation war fighters, many students saw it as unfair and outdated. What started as peaceful protests turned violent with each day of July passing. The final week saw streets in flames with many houses of notable Bangla personalities set ablaze as students breached barriers to put their demands forth.
Even the Bangla cricketers – ex-captain Mashrafe Mortaza and Shakib Al Hasan weren’t spared. Mortaza, an ex-MP from the Awami League party, saw his house torched while Shakib Al Hasan is dealing with murder charges of a Bangla youth who was killed on August 7 amid the ongoing protests in Bangladesh. The state is such in Bangladesh that the students barged into the PM’s house and made it a hub of their own, re-telling how much grave danger the nation was in.
Now that the interim government has taken over with Muhammad Yunus acting as the Chief Adviser, he faces the daunting task of stabilising the country, all while listening to the grievances of the protesters and preparing for new elections.
Gift back home!
Nonetheless, it was clear that the first Test win was gigantic for the Tigers who clinically beat Pakistan by 10 wickets and now that they have swept the series, it is a perfect gift back home. The people who are still struggling to find something in which they could find solace seem to have got exactly what they needed in the time of unrest.
Bangladesh’s Hasan Mahmud, third right, celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of Pakistan’s Abdullah Shafique during the third day of second test cricket match between Pakistan and Bangladesh, in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024. (Photo – PTI)
The Test series win reiterates the values of teamwork, of dedication, of unity in diversity that could be just the beacon of light for Bangladesh to strive towards in the months to come. The wrath of nationwide protests took a toll on the Bangladesh team as well, who had to depart earlier for Pakistan than the scheduled time to practice for the series in peace. Pakistan provided them with ground and facilities to complete their pre-series formalities.
Those nations playing cricket have a near-perfect population who root for the game and provide their unwavering support. In Bangladesh’s case, it is nothing different as the Tigers’ fans have been seen supporting their players in the foreign lands as well. For them, the 2-0 series victory will surely act as a salve on the wounds that they have sustained over a month and a half.
As mentioned earlier, for Bangladesh, the 16 players who showed grit as visitors on an unknown turf have put up exemplary performances both on and off the field. They have sent a clear message back home that with teamwork and unity, the nation can thrive. Cricket has delivered a flawless example that the country can certainly excel in what it has been lacking over the last few months.
Bangladesh might have found what they exactly required amid the political unrest as the Tigers registered a historic series sweep over Pakistan on Tuesday. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
