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Bangladesh is not a big power in world cricket though it holds test status. However, with the time passing, Bangladesh is getting tougher and becoming the dark horse in the international cricket. In the last few years, they have gone through a series of ODI victories against a number of teams. Now, I am going to write about the five most memorable victories of Bangladesh cricket team in One Day cricket.

This was the first world cup for Bangladesh and the team could impress the whole world by defeating the eventual finalist of 1999 World Cup Cricket Pakistan by 62 runs. It was the first victory of Bangladesh against any test playing country. Pakistani captain Wasim Akram won the toss and elected to bowl fast. Bangladeshi batsmen could make 223 losing 9 wickets after 50 overs. However, none of the Bangladeshi batsmen could reach the 50 mark. The highest score of 42 came from the veteran batsman Akram Khan and the opening batsman Shahriar Hossain scored 39 runs. However, it was former Bangladesh team captain Khaled Mahmud’s all round performance that led Bangladesh to the smashing victory against Pakistan. He took 3 wickets and scored 27 runs in the low scoring match.

Chasing 223 runs, Pakistan stopped at 161 loosing all of their wickets. From the beginning of the Pakistan innings, Bangladeshi bowlers could bowl wicket to wicket maintaining excellent line and length. Moreover, the good fielding performance of the Bangladeshi fielders caused three Pakistani batsmen run out. All rounder Azhar Mahmood and Wasim Akram scored 29 each for Pakistan. Khaled Mahmud got the Man of the Match award in this historic match.

Bangladesh got their second historic victory in ODI cricket in 2004 against India. That was the second ODI match of the series between Bangladesh and India. Like the match against Pakistan, it was also a low scoring match and Bangladesh batted first and scored 229 losing 9 wickets in 50 overs. Aftab Ahmed scored 67 runs and talented batsmen Mohammad Ashraful got 28 runs. Mashrafe Mortaza was the star of this match scoring 39 run off 31 balls and bagging two important wickets and eventually he became the man of the match. Chasing such a low score, Indian was bundled out for just 214. Sriram got the highest 57 runs and Mohammad Kaif scored 49. No other Indian batsmen could bat well.

Unlike the first two matches, Bangladesh defeated the then no. 1 ranked ODI team Australia thanks to the devastating century of the talented batsmen Mohammad Ashraful. Australia first scored 249 losing 5 wickets in 50 overs. Damien Martin and Michael Clarke scored 77 and 54 runs respectively. Tapash Baisya got 3 wickets but Mashrafe Mortaza’s tight bowling helped Bangladesh to restrict the Australian score within 250.

In the Bangladesh innings, it was all about Mohammad Ashraful and his memorable 100 from just 101 balls. He scored 11 boundaries in his magnificent innings. Mohammad Ashraful won the man of the match award for his brilliant ton.

Sri Lanka came to Bangladesh leaving their regular captain Marvan Atapattu. So, unofficially, that was the first tournament for the present captain of Sri Lankan team Mahela Jayawardene. However, having lost the second match of the series, Sri Lanka suffered a huge blow. In that match, Sri Lanka batted first and scored 212 runs. Except Sanath Jayasuria’s 96, all the other Sri Lankan batsmen failed with their bat.

Chasing 212, Bangladesh got a good start as opening batsmen got 38 runs in 7.3 overs. Opener Javed Omar scored 40. Mohammed Ashraful showed his class again scoring a match wining 51 and captain Habibul Bashar got 32. Another quick fire innings (32 runs off 21 balls) came from Aftab Ahmed. Aftab Ahmed’s all round performance ensured him the man of the match award as he got 1 wicket and scored 32 not out.

Though it was a warm up match ahead of World Cup Cricket 2007, the victory was not less significant in terms of its importance and glory. Bangladesh’s performance against New Zealand was always bad before this match. Moreover, New Zealand has just whitewashed the former world champion Australia for the first time in ODI cricket. So, New Zealand was regarded as a tough contender in the upcoming World Cup. So, it is a great victory for Bangladesh.

Batting first, the in form New Zealand batting line up could not impress and was all out for just 226 runs. All rounder Jacob Oram scored 88.  Mashrafe Mortaza and  Abdur Razzak got 4 wickets each. It was Mashrafe Mortaza’s devastating 14 balls 30 which landed Bangladesh safely and his all-round performance helped him to get the man of the match award.

Bangladesh team has developed a lot in the last four years and now deserves to be a dark horse in the world cricket. The victory over New Zealand, for sure, will boost up their confidence level and will work well in the upcoming World Cup Cricket 2007. Bangladesh team is in the pool B with two cricket powers India and Sri Lanka and ICC associate member country Bermuda.