Hi Andrew, Thanks for the article. I agree with your explanation about my country. Yes we have so many problems in our country. But i still love that country because this is my country. Unfortunately, our politicians doesnt think our country first rather than their own political or personal needs. Thats why we are so much behind even though we have so much potential to grow. Individual success has been the highlights of our country.
In regards to the game cricket, i have identify few problems. One of the problem is, Bangladeshi batsman doesnt want to stay on the crease for long time. They wants to play too many shots. For example, Tamim Iqbal. He is such a good player that he can hammer anyone at any time. Last test againt NZ he had one six from Daniel's over. Then very next ball he went to slog it again. I mean he doesnt need 12 runs in one over. Relax! you have the ability to smash, just wait, stay on the crease and play a long innings. but they dont want. Who is going to tell them

I think in near future BD cricket will be competitive , under the leadership of Shakib al hasan and some good talented players like Tamim Iqbal , Mahmudullah riyad and Rubel Hossain

Can it be done?

Yes! England might face a tougher opponent than they expect this time as Tigers are playing in their backyards.

Caution for the English: Beware of Ice Man!!

We have got players like Tamim, Sakib, MAhmudullah, Mushfiq, Ashraful, Aftab etc. They are such a player that they can hammer any bowling attack. But the only problem is, they dont want to stay on the crease. I dont know why. Dont know why they are not learning to stay on the crease. Why they are not playing singles and rotate strike, dont know why they are now wise enough to understand that they have the ability to play good cricket. Who is teaching them. I dont understand their mind. A little kid understand that Tamim has to stay on the crease to win the match, Ashraful has to stay on the crease to win the match. So why they are not thinking to stay on the crease rather that throwing their wicket after such a good start in each match.I feel like to go ther and tell that what i said in my writing. Hi andrew, can you please pass this messge to our cricket team and coach. I am just sick of the 'young'. Its been 10 years, so how long is too long.

Hello Andrew i promise You after next five years Bangladesh team would be a World class team. In Present time Big teams visit our country they want 100% win but after five years letter then you have to see they want a single win from us. We are a TIGER, ROYEL BANGEL TIGER.

Andrew,mate,big fan of your work,i really want to meet you,i'll be there in the grand stand during the first odi with an anti collingwood banner:P

please do look me up if you have the time :)

Very good analysis by Andrew Miller. I like the idea that he relate social and other factors with the Bangladesh cricket. I feel same way he did. Andrew is a great writer.

First of all, its a relief to see Ashraful get a break. They were ruining the confidence of a world class player. Some time away from the pressure will do Ashraful a lot of good.
Secondly, I think Rajin Saleh and Alok Kapali were amazing players and they should both be drafted back into the team. Syed Rasel is the most worthles cricketer ever, he shouldn't be allowed to touch the cricket ball.
Finally, for Bangladeshi batsman to be able to compete, its simple...they have to be competitive!! As Jamie Siddons said in his tea tme interview in NZ, Bangladeshi batsmen (and their families back home) are satisfied when they make 30s or 40s. They never pusk for more. To be great player, you hve to challenge yourself, set high standards and most importantly, play to your strengths. A better first class infra structure in Bangladesh will do Bangladesh a lot of benefit.
Lastly, Bangladesh should start sending their best players to county cricket leagues abroad-like NZ, England, Aus ets.

I have left the country 20 years ago but go occassionaly for visits. And being from there, my love for cricket and hope for a professionally competent Bangladeshi side displaying it's full potential continues. Your article clearly depicts life over there. But fails to underscore our love for cricket from that context that probably is hard for you to see. I hope the batsmen develop the temperamant, that only comes into view from one or two at times. I hope they can learn from the greats of the cricketing world today and not just go after the ball. That is not cricket in it's entirity.

Yes. It'll be done this time only if they play with the batting line up of Tamim, Imrul, Aftab, Mushfiq, Shakib, Riyad, Naeem, Shuvo, Razzak, Mashrafe, Shafiul. Please threw out Zunaid.

it is a nice piece of comment.thanks..
four years back I usesd to wake up with the crowl of crow. It is a amiazing city.
I'm damm sure that Shar-a-Bangla staduim wont disappoint ya...

Thanks very much for this article, may I say how wonderful to have england team in our country, look there is no shortage in the passion and emotion....which drove us so far since 1997 so it might be late but surely it will be done some day....to be honest our boys dont know how to play test cricket! but im sure they are learning, there is no place for "miracle" in cricket but "uncertainty", to create uncertainty you need to be tough enough-some kind of "ice man " gimmick, we r sorry for ashraful becasue his biggest potential is his biggest weakness, and hereb declaring we are a team without him, watch out for mahmudulah and tamim alongwith the obvious mr wisden-shakib, surely something will better happen.

Thanks to Andrew Miller for giving a vivid description of the ever chaotic Dhaka with warmth of people.
Have a nice and safe trip Mr. Miller and keep us informed of all the action in the middle, and please be careful of getting in the tuktuks alone :)

Amazingly accurate article - in every front - from the social ails to the cricketing challenges that my country is enduring.

I hope a good series against England will shift the focus from this article's content to more gleeful renditions of our boys' cricketing performances.

I am hoping against all odds, on of these days soon the Tigers will start to win. I have been living in USA for the past 27 years but never lost the love of cricket and the Tigers. Used to play 1st Division Cricket as #3 batsman for Dhanmondi Cricket club in the early 80's...go Tigers!!!

Hi. Andrew
Sorry to say about my country's current situation. I am a Bangladeshi and I feel so proud to be a member of 150 millions. No other country has what we are having but our organizers are destroying those. What you want from us? Everything is possible here in Bangladesh. My pride suddenly comes off when I look around. Shame for us where only five cricketers out of PM's relatives from 115 in BKSP. How can we develop our cricket? From 1997 Bangladeshi crickets are our country's ambassador. For them the world knows us. But our politicians putting us down day by day. Oh! I really hate them. At the end I would say, just have a visit our pride the world longest sea beach Cox’s Bazar so you will be fresh.
Fazlul Karim
from Abu Dhabi

hey andrew miller you are right bro we have so many populations and so many problems in our country , its happening because of our political leaders . they are ruining our country .our political leaders are always first think about their self , they dont think about our country or what kind of problem we are facing. anyway man but i can gurantee you that in 5 years bangladesh will become one of the strongest team in the world. but england definitely need to watch out for this tour they could lost odi series aginst bangladesh .because they have player like tamim,sakib , mahmudullah, aftab , they are the match winner for bangladesh.

Andrew Father-of-Bangladesh-Cricket Miller always stands up and speaks the truth about Bangladesh cricket. I really wish that there were more ego-less, literate and sensible executives in BCB to heed. Culturally, polite people are lauded high in Bangladesh and that has the biggest barrier to compete in cutthroat cricket culture of present days. Jamey Siddons' big task lies there to change the mental make-up of the players along with correcting the basics. No point in begging from international bigots to encourage the little achievements so it’s the task of the cricketers themselves to prove those pundits wrong.

Keep posting Andrew and watch your wallet even when in tuk tuk :)

Like the cumbersome bummblebee that flies in the face of the aerodynamic theory, I hope the Bangladesh team will rise above the chaotic and grinding life that you so clearly mentioned, and invent a sustainable future for itself. Hopefully the boys soon be able to comprehensively beat the big guys who takes pleasure in look down on us now.

Cricket has been played in much extreme conditions, like under the threat of terrorism(Srilankan players being attacked in pakistan), to war torn countries like Afghanistan. Poverty in Bangladesh is just like any other south asian country like India or Pakistan. I have personally worked in cities like Bangalore, Hyderabad to Dhaka and the general economic condition is pretty much the same.

Nice Article Mr. Miller. I just want to let you know that this English team is going to face some tough cricketers this time around. The players that we have in this squad are skilled enough to pull the English team down to earth.
I am really impressed by the way two of our young pacers performed in Newzeland. They have consistantly bowled around 140 kmph which I think was quite impressive.
I am not seeing our tigers in the loosing side in this series no matter from which perpective I think of it.

I agree with some of the analysis in some extent. I strongly disagree with the indication of ally with Indian cricket board. Look at the foot steps of Bangladesh cricket, they have walked on their own foot. Where Bangladesh cricket stands now has been achieved through by themselves. Its unfair, completely unwise and unprofessional to finger up to somebody else for their achieved position. They sent India home from the world cup, win against mighty Aussies, win against PAK, SA and WI at world cups, win against SL and NZL at home came with the tigers' own strenth. All they lack is consistency and combined performances from both their batters and bowlers. We have been seeing the glimpse of class performers from the individuals in every games but that doesnt coupled with combination of others support what would made them more wins against stronger teams.

I am expecting Tamim, Shakib, Mushfiq, Naeem, Rubel, Razzaq to perform to their potential and push England to the corners. Go Tigers!

Thanks Miller for your article about Dhaka. I think Bangladesh cricket has a great future. We keep loosing because of our loose mentally. we try to hit every ball out of the park. If we played sensibly against New Zealand in the only test match we could have won it. And also most of the time we are seeing bad umpiring against us which is also very costly to us and it is a fact.

Hi Andrew, I would just like to add the fact that not all the players are from the city Dhaka. In bangladesh only Dhaka is so crowded like how your describing it, but in other towns and village centres throughout the country are more suttle, calm and much more peacefull. About the Bangladeshi cricket team, well I agree with every1 els, they need to be more calm at batting and try not to hit a six every ball. We have alot of potential, but England won't walk away with easy wins because this time I assure u that they will have to play hard.

I think England will face trouble if bangladesh can score over 250 runs. because England can't play left arm spin too well like srilanka and india. and Bangladesh will mainly depend on their left arm spin attack which is actually world best left arm spin attack currently.It is really difficult for england to win the ODI series.

Brilliant observation Andrew, understanding the Bangladeshi culture and cricket culture is almost impossible but i feel there are few parallels you can find. its the hustle you find on the streets that i see in the bangladeshi cricket, like you said the tuk-tuks are trying for every inch of room and sometimes are able to find it like an ocassional high profile win by the team, and more often then not they are stuck in traffic. i guess the traffic police is awfully incompetent, i believe the cricket team (after a very long time) have found a good traffic police in form of shakib and that it looks like the future might be better. who knows,the next time you visit, you may find it different.

I cntinue with my writing where i finished last night. So far all the people are agree with our problems and saying in 5 years time we will be competetive or wining match. Why not now? Does anyone have doubt about the ability to win matches now. I think the only diference between Bangladesh vs rest of the cricket nation is the mentality. For example, 1st ODI RSA vs IND, India won by one run. Who thought that, that match would be that competetive, that close. In cricket or any profession you have to have selft believe. You have to trust yourself and visualize your success. You have to have the mind that, never give up. I personaly played cricket in School, college, and local clubs. There was some situations where my other end batsman gave up to win the match even though there was a posibility. I had to explain them and change their mind instantly to believe that we can win. I dont know, whether our players have the same mindset or not. From #1 to #8 batsman has the ability to make 100.

So why we are failing in each match. I strongly believe that we have the ability to win match right now, we dont have to wait for 5 years to beat regularly each team.
My another observation about Bangladesh cricket is, our domestic cricket is not well structured. We are not getting enough quality player to replace someone immediately. We were really stugling to replace Mashrafe. Surely he is our Star, but he is not gonna play forever. So we need to make another 10 Mashrafe or another 10 Mohammad Rafiq. And only way we can do is to make our domestic cricket very competetive and get rid of politics from Sports.
Surely corruption has hit in cricket as well. The money we are getting now, i really doubt that we properly utilize that money for the good for cricket. Why we have Sri Lankan bowling coach, he is not good at all. Get Washim Akram as our bowling coach, get Shane Warne or Saqlain Mustaq as a Spin consultant. Spent some money to get some quality advice. it will paid off.

Another area BCB can look at is to appoint a psychologist. It is very important to have a psychologist to assist our players to grow. If there is any problem, psychologist can sit with them, and correct themselves to improve. I mean cricket is a game of thinking, in each ball situation changes. So as a player you have to have the ability to adjust with the situation. Its very important to have this quality.
Another advice for the crickets of Bangladesh, not to read any newspaper before the match. This might gives them negative impact in their mind.
Finally I wish all the best for our cricketing team and nation. I pray for them so they can execute their plan on the field and win the match. Good Luck Bangladesh.

I am quite optiistic about Bangladesh's prospect in cricket. Talent wise, Shakib, Tamim, Mahudullah, and Mushfiq are world-class. However, Bangladeshi players lack the maturity. Mushfiq probably is the most matured player in the team. He plays his best whatever talent he has got. On the other hand, Tamim and Shakib are amazingly gifted player and they are underperformer having such talent. It's frustrating to see them play bad shots again and again. In my opinion, Coach Siddon's main focus should be to teach them to be patient and not to play bad shots. If that part is taken care of,the players like Shakib,Tamim, and Mahudulah can bring wins with any country in the world on regular basis.

Hi Andrew,

Loved the fact that you felt the warmth in our welcome. To be honest, the high treble in our traffic is just because of the lack of planning from our politicians or so-called rulers. If Bangledshis love to blame some one...that will be the two ladies sitting at the top positions of the country. Kinda funny, but they are always involved in a game like Tom and Jerry.

Have fun in Bangladesh. :) [if you can have :P]

Thanks for the article.

This series the Tigers might pull the Lions down.

hello Andrew,

Thanks mate for the article. U got some pat on the back for this one I see. Nice try to relate the society with cricket. sure u got the right idea but the prism was not right, I have to say. Staying for some weeks and coming back after six years and judging a country by just seeing its capital, I am not impressed about that. One thing more guys who were sending the praise, true, that the problem is embedded within us. people from outside defining us, telling what our problem is, and conforming with that, thats our problem mate and another thing Dhaka is not Bangladesh, many of us forget that. Its true we have many problems which u cant find anywhere but thats not all about my country.

hi,good post,well done mate,just make sure you don't get sick.

i totally agree with tarek hassan

Beautifully written article Andrew. Your realization of the correlation between Bangladeshi culture and the mentality of the Bangladeshi cricketers was perfect. The personalities of most Bangladeshi cricketers lack the strength to transform their ambition into reality on a cricket pitch. When a batsman reaches 100 in test, he knows for a fact that he is guaranteed a place in first XI for at least next 3/4 series or 10 matches. Then they lose the concentration, their innings and the match. It's really unfortunate. They haven't been able to become mature in terms of proper test cricket mentality.

First, i would like to thank the author who is presented Bangladesh in his sharp ink very truly. As i was reading through the coloums, i found out, People from other country would have few exceptiaiton once they tarvel acroos such countries like Bangladesh. For instance, Bangladesh has done tremendous job in past few years to rose up their financial structure as well as cricket circumstances.it is only matter of time when we will see our crickters will not only win but also represent Bangladesh as whole. To me, i think our crikters are improving gradually, but they need show some patience and regards in order to put out their best performance. Talents are flowing across our team but commoitments is lacking badly. Our team should work on that. They need to feel how ordinary people feel when we see our team has beaten shamefully and cheaply.
Hope Bangladesh will show their true skin within 5 years. until then we only can wait and PRAY FOR MIRACLE.

Thank God and Bangladeshi selectors for not including Ashraful on 13 man squad. I really do not understand why selectors can not excluded him from team. He does not plaing well for long time but people tell him"natural talented player". If you tell a player (Ashraful) talent who has average of 23 run per game test and ODI. what would you tell player like Sachin Tendulker, Jack Kallis, Ricky Pointing, MOhammed Yousuf, Brian Lara. Please do not abuse the world of TALENT by tetling Asgraful a talent player. He just play a big inning once in probably a year which my brother can do it who just cricket once in a year here in U.S

Hi Andrew, Your diary is a piece of Art. How vividly you portray what you see around - you take me there - I can sense, breath, and enjoy it thru your writing. Were you the person, many years ago, also wrote ' Dhaka Diary' where you described the sacrifice of anumal during Eid. You're poetic! Please write more everything else you see besides Cricket...

Does any of the Bangledeshi cricketers are Internet savvy enough to browse cric-info and go through some of these posts sometimes? Don't know. Living abroad for long one develops romantic ideas and suggests accordingly. But the reality perhaps is not what is apparent. There is so much incomptence and unprofessionalism all around. Hope they continue to show their progress in spite of all the forces that can pull them down, including the ones within themselves.

First of all thanks to Andrew miller ...
and thanks to England tem to visit Bangladesh .
you are right judgement about bangladesh cricket. if it not going to unfeare with bangladesh at Multan.as well as you mantion at futullah against Austrellia this two match can make change of cricket histry of world as well as for bangladesh cricket . nationaly we are unforfortunate as one of bro mantion it.its true from beginning bangladesh started international cricket some natural tellent most of that have some lake of technque ,after that they have shown good charecter with well born cricket country nation. but right now we got lot of tellent those are really pottential techniquly are good i am teelling you Andrew just wait few month or year, i can say your pen will change your immgination . as bangladeshi we are watting for that glorius moment i hope our tiger will not deppress us thanks all bangladeshi player or supporter .......

First of all thanks to Andrew miller ...
and thanks to England tem to visit Bangladesh .
you are right judgement about bangladesh cricket. if it not going to unfeare with bangladesh at Multan.as well as you mantion at futullah against Austrellia this two match can make change of cricket histry of world as well as for bangladesh cricket . nationaly we are unforfortunate as one of bro mantion it.its true from beginning bangladesh started international cricket some natural tellent most of that have some lake of technque ,after that they have shown good charecter with well born cricket country nation. but right now we got lot of tellent those are really pottential techniquly are good i am teelling you Andrew just wait few month or year, i can say your pen will change your immgination . as bangladeshi we are watting for that glorius moment i hope our tiger will not deppress us thanks all bangladeshi player or supporter .......

Andrew to tell you the truth, 5 km in dhaka can take hours...I have been driving in London for a while now...it takes hours to travel 5 miles in London even!!!

Lucia, Bangladesh have healthy people too, they live in healthy places :)

Bangladesh have the ability to beat Englant in ODI at home ground.Now we have to prove it.

Feed proud to read

Thanx for a fantastic article in the context of true eco-socio cricket of Bangladesh.
Being a famous senior criket writer, Anderw should write something about the weakness and the way of corrective measures of Bangladesh's cricket in his next article.
I hope, England will feel a hard time from BD Tigers this time around.

Winner or loser I love Bangladesh team.

Hi Andrew, despite of all the problems still i am proud to be a bangladeshi. I am not agree with the thing that bangladesh has got a lot of time to have won the test matches with strongesr teams in the world cricket. Please compare with newzealand and other countries, after how may years and matches they have won a test. However, I think bangladeshi players have the potentials to won a test match against the strongets opposition, just they have to have the confidence and enough patients to stay at crease for long and i think bangladesh is going to achive this day by day. The fisrt innings against newzeland few days back can be an example and offcourse the series win against west indies in recent past also can prove it though it was a second string team of west indeis.

i strongly believe that it is time to see how bangladesh smash england in the home ground today. just sit before the tv today at 2:00 pm local time. and justify the beliefs of a tiger fan.

It is said that the lasting legacy of the British rule in South Asia are: English language, tea and cricket. Undoubtedly, Bangladesh twice liberated continues with the tradition. In spite of Mr. Miller's piece, more philosophical than cricket oriented, cricket is here to stay as Bangladesh has stayed through its short history of grave trials and seemingly insurmountable tribulations.
And her cricket will prosper as the people and economy will in tandem. The future lies in millions of young boys who have taken cricket to heart and are the raw material for the teams to come. Give them the time they need Mr. Miller and you will not be disappointed.

HI, Thanks for a fascinating but accurate write up on Daka city and its cricket fobia. Believe me we have the potential to become a progressive nation in all respects; but, it is the POLITICIANS who are dragging us behind. Oh ! we hate the politicans of our country !!

Yes life in BD is much difficult. But people here know hoy to live with these problems. They have great ability to adjust conditions and I think Bangladeshi cricketers will soon show their ability as a team. Because they are already showing it as individual. Though its a matter of time, but we won't need too much time.