No shortage in effort,Bangladesh look to drop the minnows tag

Bangladesh cricket too has for a long time looked to leave a lasting impression on world cricket. But apart from a few hopeful flashes,the minnows tag has stuck,and they have been in a constant struggle to prove their critics many of whom feel they dont belong at the top level wrong.

On the face of it,the tri-series that commences at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur on Monday may seem like a continuation of the India-Sri Lanka rivalry,which was more competitive than the results suggested.

But the hosts coming off their most successful year in international cricket,winning 14 out of 19 ODIs and two out of three Tests in 2009 will certainly look to impress upon their visiting opponents that they are not here to make up the numbers.

Even the immigration officer at the Zia International Airport points to his national teams resurgence during the last year though they faced no top-flight opposition before allowing you to step outside into Bangladesh.

Their campaign starts on Monday,when they take on Sri Lanka in the tournament opener.

One man who has been instrumental in infusing new energy into Bangladesh cricket is Shakib-al-Hasan,who,while looking like nothing more than an enterprising jack-of-all-trades,has raked up unexpected numbers with both and bat in all three versions. The 22-year-old all-rounder,in his fourth year at this level,is not only close to eclipsing most of his countrys individual records,he has already turned into one of Bangladeshs most successful captains.

And while he believes there is no way to control the criticism that is perennially dished out to his team,he is excited about the opportunity to play against two big teams for a change.

It is disappointing that despite the talent that we possess we cannot churn out impressive performances consistently at the big stage. Playing against two big teams is the perfect chance for Bangladesh to prove that we have actually improved, he said. Shakib is quick to add that playing against teams such as Zimbabwe,and posting wins,was crucial in building confidence.

The last two times the Indians have landed in Bangladesh for a full-fledged tour it has been on the back off disappointing results.

Though they arrived here towards the end of 2004 after overcoming the South Africans in a drab Test series at home,the Indians had surrendered their long guarded fortress a month earlier,when they lost a home series to Australia for the first time in 35 years. And in the summer of 2007,it was a vengeful Indian team that traveled across the border after suffering a humiliating exit in the World Cup thanks largely to their loss to Bangladesh.

This time around though,Mahendra Singh Dhonis men have achieved unprecedented success in the last few months,clinching the No 1 spot in the Test rankings and then overcoming the Sri Lankans in the recently concluded ODI series. And if India do win all their possible five ODIs on tour,they will clinch the top ranking in the 50-over format as well.

My first visit here was in 2004 when I was run out off the first ball,which is my brightest individual memory here yet. Our main aim is to win the tournament, Dhoni said. Bangladeshs aims may be lower taking things one match at a time but there will be no shortage in effort starting Monday.

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