Year Review: Bangladesh team's performance in 2015

The year of 2015 has been of many firsts for the Bangladesh cricket team. First their consistent performances in the World Cup made headlines. That was followed by 3 incredible series wins over fancied oppositions. Much to the delight of their fans, they found a new bowling sensation. The team was astutely led and played fearless cricket which brought success. Here’s a look at Bangladesh cricket review of the year 2015. 1. 2015 World Cup: (© Getty Images) Mahmudullah Riyad and Rubel Hossain played a major part in eliminating England from the competition, which meant Bangladesh reached the knockouts for the first time. After his 103 against England, Mahmudullah did one better, with a classy unbeaten 128 against New Zealand. Bangladesh’s World Cup campaign ended against India but not before a controversy about the no-ball called by umpire Aleem Dar when Rohit Sharma was caught on 90. His eventual 137 and helped India reach the semi-final easily. 2. Pakistan series: (Photo Source: AFP) Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim made centuries in the first ODI, which was Bangladesh’s first win over Pakistan in 16 years. Tamim scored another century to secure the series in the next game before Soumya Sarkar made a spectacular unbeaten 127 to wrap up the ODI series 3-0. The T20I match was also won quite easily. In the drawn first Test, in Khulna, Bangladesh broke some batting records: Tamim and Imrul Kayes added 312, the highest opening stand in the second innings of a Test, and the highest stand by a Bangladesh pair. Tamim’s knock of 206 is the highest score by a Bangladesh batsman. Pakistan, however, won the second Test, in Mirpur, by 328 runs. 3. India series: Bangladesh cricket captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza (2L) congratulates teammate Shakib Al Hasan (3L) after the dismissal of Indian cricketer Virat Kohli (L). (Photo credit: MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP/Getty Images) The Fatullah Test against India was a rain-affected draw, but the ODI series in Mirpur brought great joy. The young Mustafizur Rahman took a five-for and a six-for in the first two games of the series and his ODI career. The Indian batsmen looked clueless against his variation of off cutters with the old-ball, and Bangladesh duly had their maiden ODI series win against India, 2-1. 4. South Africa series: Mustafizur Rahman. (Photo Source: AFP) Despite these major wins, few thought Bangladesh could stand up to the might of South Africa. South Africa won the T20I series 2-0 before easily winning the first ODI. Skipper Mashrafe Mortaza and Chandika Hathurusingha’s motivation helped the team turn their performance around within 2 days. The two new stars, Sarkar and Mustafizur combined to bring home yet another series win. Mustafizur took three wickets in the 2nd ODI to restrict South Africa to 162 before Sarkar blasted 88 not out and finished the chase inside 28 overs. The decider in Chittagong witnessed Sarkar hammer South Africa with a 75-ball 90. Bangladesh had their maiden ODI series win against South Africa as well. 5. Australia’s security concerns: (©Getty Images) One big disappointment of the year was Australia’s decision to postpone their October tour due to security concerns. The Bangladesh government made efforts to ensure the visitors’ safety, but Cricket Australia was not convinced. The board then brought forward a part of Zimbabwe’s scheduled January 2016 trip. Bangladesh beat them 3-0 in the ODIs and drew the T20s 1-1. 6. Find of the year: Bangladesh cricketer Mustafizur Rahman. (Photo credit: MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP/Getty Images) A once-in-a-generation talent called Mustafizur Rahman emerged from Satkhira in Khulna located on the south-western edge of Bangladesh. He shocked India and then ensured his 13 wickets in that series wasn’t a fluke by keeping South Africa under check. His orthodox left-arm fast skills were as effective as his brilliant slower balls and cutters. 7. The Shahadat saga: Shahadat Hossain. (© Getty Images) Shahadat Hossain wasn’t a regular in domestic cricketer hence his selection for the second Test against Pakistan in May came as a surprise. Though, it was his lack of fitness that cut short his comeback. He fell over bowling the second ball, hurt his right knee, which was further damaged when he tried to bowl in the lunch break. Four months later, he and his wife were charged with allegedly assaulting a housemaid, and Shahadat was arrested in October. He was granted bail in December, but it is more than likely that the May Test will be his last. 8. Rubel’s redemption: Rubel Hossain. (© Getty Images) Rubel Hossain was arrested in January after being accused by a former girlfriend of reneging on a marriage proposal. He needed bail and the assurance of a judge to play in the World Cup. His performances in the competition and especially the match-winning four-for against England signified a personal triumph. His former girlfriend had also filed a rape case against Rubel, however, a Bangladesh court, in May, rejected it after police said there was no evidence against the star cricketer.

Year Review: Bangladesh team&#039;s performance in 2015

1. 2015 World Cup:

Year Review: Bangladesh team's performance in 2015