The yearning for cricket in Bangladesh: The story of a cricket-loving nation

Cricket is more than just a sport in Bangladesh; it is an emotion. It is the one shared passion that connects millions of people in this country.

Whether on the busy streets of Dhaka's alleys or the vast empty fields of Bangladesh's countryside, the crackling sound of ball meeting bat travels far and wide across the land. Cricket is now a part of our national pride. And it is much more than just a source of entertainment. Played wherever it could be played -- sun-cracked roads, school grounds, and corporate rooftops -- cricket has rooted itself as an integral part of Bangladeshi life, weaving steadily into the intricate fabric of the country's culture and identity.

Cricket has been played in this region's suburbs and schools as an amateur sport for a long time. Shortly after Bangladesh's independence, with the establishment of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), the professional journey of cricket started in Bangladesh. In 1999, Bangladesh qualified for the ICC World Cup for the first time and took its first significant step into the international arena. But the game-changer was in 2000 when Bangladesh was granted Test status, becoming part of the select group of cricket-playing nations. The country saw exponential growth in cricket's popularity and infrastructural development from then on. As the national team players are fondly called, the Tigers have given the fans countless moments of glory and pride. Who can ever forget the 2007 World Cup when Bangladesh shocked India with the infamous five-wicket victory? Or when the people wept with the tigers after the loss in the Asia Cup final in 2012 only for two runs?

This craze for cricket has added a different dimension to the diversity Bangladesh boasts of. Despite the cultural and other differences, everyone loves cricket regardless of age, class, gender, or profession. Children play cricket in the narrow alleyways with makeshift wickets, wooden sticks as bats and crumpled-up papers as balls. When the tigers take the field, we all cheer for them as Bangladeshis, our shared identity that transcends all the differences. While enjoying all those nail-biting moments of joy and glory, we also do not forget to share our two cents. That's why, discussing cricket is as popular as playing it. Offices, canteens, and tea stalls become an assembly of heated debates and passionate predictions. Whether it's a spur-of-the-moment small neighbourhood match or a properly planned local tournament, the excitement remains the same across generations.

While there is no denying that the excitement over cricket has only multiplied over the years, it is also true that the medium of watching all those adrenaline-filled moments has undergone major changes. Today, fans don't always experience cricket the same way people used to in the past. With the growing busy schedule, not everyone has the privilege of watching cricket matches with their family in their TV rooms. For people who have work or have to be on the move all the time, digital platforms have emerged as an excellent means of watching cricket anytime, anywhere. OTT platforms have emerged as hot spots to livestream cricket while on the move. For instance, since all the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy matches are scheduled to start at 3 PM (BD time), people can watch it on Toffee using their phones no matter where they are. This shift in the manner in which people watch cricket reflects the fact that the craze for cricket will never diminish in the country thanks to the emergence of different digital platforms.

In Bangladesh, cricket is less about winning and losing – it is more about hope, grit, and belonging. It is about children dreaming that they will get to represent the country in the national jersey, about communities bonding over love for the sport, and about a country coming together to enjoy the joy, heartbreak, and pride of every single match. As Bangladesh continues to grow as a cricket nation, one thing is sure: the love for the sport will only grow, uniting millions in a thread connected through a shared passion.