Published: Aug 17, 2016, 03:06 PM (IST)
Edited: Aug 17, 2016, 03:06 PM (IST)
The tigers have come back to life! Bangladesh, who had to settle down with a cancelled Australian tour for a two-Test series last year at home have suddenly found their voice, and have challenged the Australian cricket team to fulfill their promise. Interestingly, the Bangladeshi challenge comes right after Australia’s annihilation against Sri Lanka, as the island nation completed their first-ever clean sweep over Australia. The Bangladeshi challenge has been made on solid ground, following Australia’s horrendous performances in the Indian subcontinent. It all began with Australia’s 0-4 result against India, a curse that has settled in with the former world No. 1 side which has now lost 9 Tests in the Indian subcontinent. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: Sri Lanka vs Australia, 3rd Test at Colombo
Following the 0-4 humiliation at the hands of India in 2013, the Australian cricket team has failed to even draw a Test while playing in the Indian subcontinent. They lost 0-2 to Pakistan in the UAE, and on Wednesday, Australian cricket touched new lows as they suffered 0-3 annihilation at the hands of a struggling Sri Lankan cricket team. ALSO READ: Sri Lanka complete Australia whitewash
While the Australian camp can be imagined going through gloom and despair following their horrible run in Sri Lanka, there is a cricketing house which has somewhat sadistic smile.
Bangladesh, who had to bear with the cancellation of the Australian tour last year, have now risen up from nowhere (keeping in mind Bangladesh have no cricket scheduled) and have challenge the third-ranked Australian cricket team.
“Come on, why shy away from what looks to be a good, challenging Test series against us? Anyway, you are not achieving anything playing against quality teams such as India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka,” a source close to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) said over phone right after the completion of the third and final Test between Sri Lanka and Australia.
He deliberated further, “See, Bangladesh do not have a lot of cricket lined up. We know we need to improve many folds in Test cricket. So do Australia, look at how they have performed in the Indian subcontinent. They have been the worst among all teams from outside while playing in the subcontinent. So why not three weeks of Test cricket in Bangladesh?”
There has been no immediate reaction from the Australian camp, which is expectedly in a state of shock following their surrender to Rangana Herath once again. Australia were cruising at 100 for 1 in chase of 324, but a shocking batting collapse saw them folding up for mere 160, thus losing the final Test by 163 runs and surrendering No. 1 rankings to India.
Please note this is a satirical article — a work of pure fiction
(Jettisoned from Indian cricket stadiums, a die-hard cricket fanatic-turned-journalist Golu Sharma remains determined to keep reporting on cricketing matters that the usual media houses deem unworthy)
