September 4, 2024

Cricketers boost spirits as Bangladesh faces tough times

On Tuesday, businessman Tanvir Siddiqi excitedly contacted friends, struggling to find the right words to express his joy over Bangladesh’s historic Test series win against Pakistan.

But he wasn’t the only one feeling thrilled.

Across the country, millions of Bangladeshis celebrated the win, relishing a rare moment of sports success amid challenging times.

“It’s hard to put into words how monumental this is for Bangladesh,” Siddiqi, 41, tells TRT World. “Given the current situation in Bangladesh, the significance of this victory is immense.”

The South Asian nation had just emerged from a period of intense civil unrest that brought an end to the 15-year authoritarian rule of ousted leader Sheikh Hasina.

Over 800 people, mainly students and ordinary citizens, lost their lives, and the nation continues to deal with the aftermath.

Even cricket, the nation’s most popular sport and a common source of unity during tough times, struggled to capture the attention of fans like Siddiqi, who were still reeling from the collective trauma.

Everything shifted on a warm September afternoon.

Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus, the head of the interim government, led the celebrations. He phoned Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto to extend his congratulations.

Yunus’s office reported him saying, “The whole nation is proud of you.”

The well-known daily Dhaka Tribune captured the nation’s mood perfectly with its headline: “Winners.”

“This series win is emblematic of broader transformation within Bangladesh,” it said, adding that the victory embodied the “resilience, determination, and the spirit of a nation that wants to achieve more than what was expected of it.”

Star all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz, named player of the series in Rawalpindi, dedicated his award to the “martyred student protesters,” recognizing their role in the removal of Hasina.

Bangladesh’s Test cricket journey started in 2000, but the Tigers, as the team is known, took four years to secure their first series win against Zimbabwe in 2004. They then waited another five years for their next Test series victory.

Country in transition

The South Asian nation is still dealing with the fallout from Sheikh Hasina’s autocratic rule and the 20-day protests characterized by unprecedented violence.

Many see Yunus’s leadership as the initial move toward rebuilding the nation from the aftermath of a repressive regime.

In just a month, the Yunus administration has shown its capability to restore order after police forces loyal to Hasina withdrew. These security personnel had deserted their posts due to public outrage over the use of live ammunition against protesters.

Additionally, the administration facilitated the release of 57 Bangladeshi protesters from the UAE, where they had been imprisoned for protesting Hasina’s abuses. This accomplishment is especially significant given that the Gulf State does not allow street protests.

Arpita Afsana, a university student, tells TRT World, “It feels like the [Dr] Yunus magic has reached the cricket field as well.”

“For a long time, I lost interest in Bangladesh cricket—not only because of their poor performance but also because they became symbols of Hasina’s repressive regime. But things have changed rapidly now.”

The victory also arrives as the country battles to provide relief to millions affected by one of the most devastating floods in recent memory.

The ultimate unifier?

Journalist Syed Faiz Ahmed notes that the Hasina regime exploited cricket and cricketers so overtly as political tools that it generated widespread resentment.

“The players, who were once heavily supported by the public, received minimal backing as many felt they remained silent during the student-led revolution that toppled Hasina,” Ahmed tells TRT World.

For example, Ahmed highlighted that Shakib Al Hasan, the country’s most successful and well-known cricketer, was part of Hasina’s last parliament. “In fact, he [Shakib] was facing a murder charge at the time,” Ahmed said, referring to a recent case against Shakib that emerged after Hasina’s departure.

“However, the historic win and their gesture of donating prize money to flood victims and those who died in the anti-Hasina protests might help them regain public support.”

Nazmul Hasan, the contentious head of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), has finally stepped down. He held the role for 12 years despite repeated calls for his resignation from players and the public.

Cricket writer Saif Hasnat suggests that the recent change in government might have given the players an extra boost and a sense of victory that was evident on the cricket field.

“In this context, this win means more than just cricket, especially given the current political climate,” he tells TRT World.

Cricket analyst Shaquib Ahmed notes that this victory’s timing aligns with the “revolutionary changes” sweeping through Bangladesh.

“It gives people even more reason to celebrate their newfound freedom,” he tells TRT World.

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