The final of the Asia Cup ended in tears for the best team of the tournament. The sight after the final ball was bowled by Aizaz Cheema was one that could have broken the heart of the toughest man on the planet. The Bangla Tigers needed four runs from the last ball to get their greatest victory of all time and their hopes rested on Shahadat Hossain, the number 10 batsman. But he couldn’t manage to connect a ‘perfect yorker’ as the pair scrambled for a single, which was not enough.
The stadium was stunned; the hands that previously were going up for prayers were used to wipe tears out of each other’s eyes. Even the Pakistanis were a bit subdued with their celebrations; maybe they also realized how important was the win for the team which have been struggling to prove themselves.
People in India were also shocked and heartbroken. For the first time people were seen hearing the commentary and discussing the match with a stranger, the match which did not feature their home team. Groups assembled in front of the shops and every Bangladeshi strike was cheered as if it was hit by one of their own.
Indian fans are very passionate and are very emotional too; this could be the first time that they were cheering for a side which snatched India’s place from the finals. Everyone wanted the minnows to win; yes they were playing the side which is not much appreciated in India, because of some political reasons. Still the support for the Tigers was unimaginable.
The second last ball of the innings sums up the match for the home team. Abdur Razzak was facing Cheema, Razzak scuffled towards the off side and wanted to hit through fine leg as the fielder was up, the ball hit his bat and then dismantled the stumps Bangladesh at that time needed four runs to win the match, one inch difference would have seen the Bangladeshis lift the title. But, it was not to be so.
Bangladesh played some tremendous cricket throughout the series, they deserved a place in the finals and the way they played in the finals some might say that they deserved the title as well. But, in the end it all comes down to winning and losing. People will remember the gladiator type efforts from these youngsters but the history books will always show that Pakistan was the champions and they defeated their less-fancied neighbors.
Only a true Bangladeshi fan will understand the meaning of the two runs that separated the home team from that elusive title. The title meant a lot to the country which has never been in the lime-light for their sport. It would have took them places and now only time will tell that when will they get their next opportunity. But the way this young team played, they surely won the hearts of many.
By Gaurav Jha
Indian Sports News
