2024-04-13 14:08:04
One win changed Bangladesh cricket. That win changed the tone of the music. A rainbow began to scribble on the faded canvas.
Bangladesh won the ICC trophy in 1997. Akram, Pilot, Shanta, Bulbuls beat Kenya to fly the red-green flag at Malaysia’s Kilat Kelab ground. Starting with winning that trophy, then Bangladesh entered the World Cup, achieved test status and many other things.
27 years ago today, Bangladesh won the ICC Trophy final. When the day came again, Khaled Masood Pilot became quite memorable. On this day, teammate Hasibul Hossain Shanto was also found next to him. Two in Rajshahi on Eid vacation. The two took pictures while standing in front of the pilot’s anchor cafe.
The pilot wrote on social media, ’27 years. Many people say that the foundation stone of Bangladesh cricket was laid there. 27 years ago today, on April 13, 1997, Bangladesh defeated Kenya in the final of the ICC Trophy. I, Khaled Masood Pilot and Hasibul Hossain Shanto took the team to the port of victory from undefeated in the last over that day.’
Bangladesh’s dream final started on April 12 at the Kilat Kelab Club ground in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. But the result of the match came today, 13 April. Today marks 27 years since Bangladesh won its first title.
After Kenya batted in the first innings due to rain, play did not take place on the 12th. 13th Duckworth-Lewis Method Day Bangladesh started to play with new target.
Bangladesh team captain Akram Khan invited Kenya to bat first after winning the toss in the final. Bangladesh picked up Kenya’s 3 wickets for 58 runs, proving the captain’s decision right. Steve Tikolo made a century partnership with captain Maurice Odumbe for the fourth wicket. Odumbe returned with 43 runs and Kenya could not make a big pair. However, Tikolo’s huge innings of 147 runs allowed the team to collect 241/7 in the allotted 50 overs. Mohammad Rafiq took 3 wickets for 40 runs for Bangladesh. Also Khaled Mahmood and Saiful Islam got 2 wickets each.
The Tigers’ new target was 166 runs in 25 overs as rain started before Bangladesh’s batting. Coach Greenidge changed the batting line-up of Bangladesh in pursuit of victory. The coach made Tas Rafiq the opener without bringing down the regular opener Athar Ali Khan as he has to bat easily in T20 of the current era. Bangladesh’s first Test captain Naimur Rahman Durjoy went down with him. Although Durjoy returns first ball.
However, instead of getting carried away, Rafiq and Mihajul Abedin Nannu attacked the Kenyan bowlers. Rafiq scored 26 runs off 15 balls with 2 fours and a six. Aminul Islam, who was dropped for four, also continued to score runs at a strike rate of 100. Nannur 26, Aminul 37 and captain Akram scored 22 runs, but Bangladesh lost 6 wickets out of 123 runs.
Khaled Masood Pilot and Saiful Islam became the heroes for the Tigers between the two teams that were in the swing of winning and losing. With the stormy batting of these two, Bangladesh’s victory came within reach. Saiful was dismissed for 14 runs, but Pilot left the field after securing the victory with the last ball of the innings, scoring 15 runs from 7 balls.
The runs of Hasibul Hossain Shanto and Khaled Masood that ensured Bangladesh’s victory still hold a big place in the minds of Bangladeshi cricket fans. Working as the path of Bangladesh cricket is the beginning of the Tigers’ roar with this victory.