2003 and 2007 world cups were one of the best tournaments ever to have happened in the history of cricket. The drama, twists and the turn around over the course of the tournaments were completely surreal. The underdogs playing against the mighty heavy weights of cricket was another fairy-tale form of cricket that had begun officially with the start of the 2000 era. Before this match, Bangladesh had defeated teams like Australia (that golden era of invincible team) at Cardiff in the triangular tournament between England (hosts), Australia and Bangladesh in 2005. Even in the 1999 World Cup, Bangladesh has defeated teams like Pakistan who was boosted with players like Wasim Akram, Saeed Anwar and Shoaib Akhtar to prove their authority of not just the average team in cricket anymore by any margin of uncertainties.
2007 World Cup Was Not The Kind Of Tournament Anyone Had Expected
Australia was the favourite again alongside teams like South Africa, New Zealand, Pakistan and India were the other sides for the contenders to go close to the trophy this time in another edition of the most shocking world cup ever. But as it is said, it was very unexpected like the game of cricket to predict anything. The death of Former Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer and shocking defeats of India against Bangladesh followed by Pakistan against Ireland (who was playing it’s maiden world cup) were the reason why cricket is called the game of uncertainties.
Or if you think Bangladesh upset against India was fluke then in the same world cup of 2007, Bangladesh has humiliated team like South Africa (this victory was complete miracle) in the super eight game to proved their authority once again to not to be the underdogs anymore in cricket and we were to play serious cricket statement to the best in the business.
The team India Campaign was derailed by the neighbours in the most stunning way
Team India was paired in the group alongside Sri Lanka, Bermuda (who was playing it’s first world cup) and Bangladesh. For the teams to qualify for next round they had to win at least two games to move to the next round. Sri Lanka and India were going to the next rounds for sure – this was the reaction of everyone. It is still vivid in my mind that I have my exam the day after still I have watched this game from the first ball of the match and I was very much excited for team India to start their campaign after they have lost the finals of 2003 world cup to Australia. From the start it all went wrong for team India after winning the toss, when Virender Sehwag was clean by Mashrafe Mortaza. I was surprised and my reaction was no this was not true but Bangladesh has provided us the first dent.
Surviving the early hiccup, team India was playing like a complete average team that day and had only managed to score 72 runs for the loss of 4 wickets by the end of 25 overs. I just switched off my television and went to my room. But when I came back the team India was different as Sourav Ganguly (66) and Yuvraj Singh (47) both put the fight and have added on 85 run-partnership for the fifth wicket to start rebuilding the side from the early dents. But the twist came once again with Yuvraj Singh wicket which triggered the collapse and men in blue only managed to score 191 runs in 49.3 overs for the loss of 10 wickets. Thanks to Zaheer Khan (15) and Munaf Patel (15) for short cameos in the end to help team India reach decent score. Under the score of 34 runs team India has lost its last 6 wickets and 16 extras in the team India scorecard was the third highest score in the double digit. Mashrafe Mortaza (4), Abdur Razzak (3) and Mohammad Rafique (3) shared 9 wickets and did the work for Bangladesh in the first innings.
The target of 192 for Bangladesh was made easy by the ever flamboyant left handed batsman Tamim Iqbal who scored quick fire 51 runs off 53 balls which featured 7 fours and two sixes. With three down at the score of 79 runs, Bangladesh looked in the trouble before Shakib Al Hasan (53) and Mushfiqur Rahim (56) have given Indians lifetime of worst memories, when Bangladesh has chase down the target with 5 wickets in hands and derailed the team India campaign as men in blue was out of the tournament after the loss against Sri Lanka eventually. But after the Bangladesh match I haven't played a single match of the tournament.
