|| CF Correspondent ||
Winning the first trophy and to be qualified for the ICC World Cup for the first time was engraved on that day at Tenaga National Sports Complex in Kuala Lumpur. The whole nation went crazy right after Bangladesh defeat Scotland in the semi-finals of the ICC Trophy as there were three World Cup spots available for the ICC World Cup 1999. The pathway of today's Bangladesh cricket started on that day when Akram Khan lifted the first trophy for Bangladesh cricket history.
The difference between winning and defeat is so little, Hasibul Hasan Shanto said, a leg bye run is enough to make a difference in a match. Where the skipper Akram Khan, Aminul Islam Bulbul, Naimur Rahman Durjoy, Mohammad Rafiq will also give their consent. The whole nation of crazy cricket lovers will also agree with this. The whole history of Bangladesh cricket is changed because of a leg bye run.
In that one-run Bangladesh got their victory in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. After winning the semifinals, Bangladesh, which has been named in the World Cup, has permanently registered their name in the biggest tournament of cricket, World Cup. The story is about winning the 1997 ICC Trophy of Bangladesh in 13 April.
Bangladesh became the champion of the ICC Trophy after defeating Kenya 23 years ago on this day (April 13,1997). World media has written in big letters, Bangladesh is the crown champion. The path to becoming a champion, naturally, was not easy. They had to travel a long way. Bangladesh had to play nine matches in Malaysia to win the ticket to the final
Kenya was the opponent in the final. That time Kenya was a tough opponent for Bangladesh team. Bangladesh faced defeat against Kenya in most of the occasion during that time. But Kenya could not hold back the tigers who were eyeing to win the dream match. Bangladesh conquered the fear and won the match by leaving their mark in Malaysia.
No matter how difficult and thrilling the entire tournament was, Akram- Rafiq- Bulbul- Nannu faced the most thrills in the final match. In that rain-stopping match, Bangladesh has a new target due to the Duckworth–Lewis method. In order to win Bangladesh was in need of one run in the last ball of the match.
Kenya pacer Martin Suji was coming to deliver his last ball of the innings. Hasibul Hossain paved the way for history to be created, scoring the one run needed off the final delivery, which was a leg bye, Khaled Masud Pilot, who was on the other end, reached the target, and Bangladesh become title champion.
Kuala Lumpur's final of the 1997 ICC Trophy was filled with such climax. That final was held for two days. Kenya lost the toss and elected to bat on 12 April for 50 over. The rain started at the end of their innings. Bangladesh didn't had the chance to bat on that day. Bangladesh went to the field with a new target on the next day. Even though the rain fouled on that day also.
It was like Bangladesh invited their danger by themselves by winning the toss and opted to field first. Steve Tikolo single-handedly show Kenya the way while batting first. The right-handed batsman's 147 run innings made the scoreboard of Kenya to 241 for 7 in that match.
Bangladesh did not bat to chase the target on April 12 due to the rain. On April 13, rain again hit the match. The match then came down to 25 overs under the rain law. Bangladesh's target then became 166 run.
The starting was like a nightmare for Bangladesh while they step down for chasing. Opener Naimur Rahman Durjoy left without adding any runs to the scorecard. As the length of the match was reduced, Bangladesh also changed the batting order. Mohammed Rafique was sent with Durjoy as an opener. After the wicket of Durjoy, Bangladesh innings was then folded up by Rafiq and Minhajul Abedin Nannu. Both scored 26 runs. Bangladesh completed their half-century from their partnership.
Aminul Islam Bulbul and skipper Akram Khan did not let Bangladesh lose the side even after losing Rafiq and Nannu's wicket. Bangladesh went a little further along with their batting. Bulbul scored the highest 37 runs innings for Bangladesh in that match. Akram scored 22 runs.
Tailender batsman Saiful Islam's 14 run innings lead Bangladesh target to 11 runs in one over.
Bangladesh had two wickets left to and needed 11 runs in six bowls. And the only batsman was Khaled Masud Pilot. On the other end Hasibul Hossain Shanto. Pilot performed his duty as a batsman. He hit a six off Martin Suji's first ball. Bangladesh were in need 5 runs off 5 balls, and eventually it became one run in one ball. Hasibul Hossain Shanto who get that run and put Bangladesh's name in cricket history.
Before the final Bangladesh face two tough situation also. Quarter-final's situation was overcome because of Akram Khan's batting. The former skipper's unbeaten innings of 68 runs gave the winning ticket to Bangladesh team. The memory of that match still seems to be remembered by him.
About the match against the Netherlands, Akram Khan said, "If we had lost that match or draw, then we would not have played in the semifinals. Had to depart from there. The situation became very difficult. They scored 171 runs from 50 overs, the target was very easy. But while chasing, we lost four wickets within 15 runs in the scoreboard. Athar, Durjoy, Bulbul, Sanowar all were out. Then there was the team performance. I played an innings which lead to win for our team. It was a great match."
Bangladesh get their win in the semifinals against Scotland for their team performance. Pilot 70, Bulbul 57 and Nanu scored 39 runs. Enamul Haque Moni and Mohammad Rafique lead the team with the ball. Rafique bowled the last of Scotland's batting order with his 4 wickets at a cost of 25 runs.
Bangladesh had two wickets left to and needed 11 runs in six bowls. And the only batsman was Khaled Masud Pilot. On the other end Hasibul Hossain Shanto. Pilot performed his duty as a batsman. He hit a six off Martin Suji's first ball. Bangladesh were in need 5 runs off 5 balls, and eventually it became one run in one ball. Hasibul Hossain Shanto who get that run and put Bangladesh's name in cricket history.
Before the final Bangladesh face two tough situation also. Quarter-final's situation was overcome because of Akram Khan's batting. The former skipper's unbeaten innings of 68 runs gave the winning ticket to Bangladesh team. The memory of that match still seems to be remembered by him.
About the match against the Netherlands, Akram Khan said, "If we had lost that match or draw, then we would not have played in the semifinals. Had to depart from there. The situation became very difficult. They scored 171 runs from 50 overs, the target was very easy. But while chasing, we lost four wickets within 15 runs in the scoreboard. Athar, Durjoy, Bulbul, Sanowar all were out. Then there was the team performance. I played an innings which lead to win for our team. It was a great match."
Bangladesh get their win in the semifinals against Scotland for their team performance. Pilot 70, Bulbul 57 and Nanu scored 39 runs. Enamul Haque Moni and Mohammad Rafique lead the team with the ball. Rafique bowled the last of Scotland's batting order with his 4 wickets at a cost of 25 runs.
Rafiq also remembers that memory of the match. The former left-handed spinner Mohammad Rafique said, “Bangladesh cricket is here today because of that match. That match was the turning point of Bangladesh Cricket. Because if we lost that match, we would be number four. If we were number four, then we would not qualify for the World Cup. We qualified to the World Cup because we won that match."
1997-2020, it's been 23 years the cricket of Bangladesh has found its way to the light, after suffering through the agony. Bangladesh is now a respectable opponent in the world of cricket. Now, that 97's young Bangladesh team can fight putting their eyes into the opponents eyes. Now Bangladesh knows how to win a Test against a team like Australia, England.
India, Pakistan, South Africa, New Zealand, West Indies are not a major opponent for Bangladesh in the ODIs. This is the path that Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mustafizur Rahman, Mohammad Saifuddin is walking it was created in that afternoon in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 23 years ago on this day. Through which Bangladesh cricket team is now getting a lot of success right now.
