The memories of Bangladesh maiden visit to Australia have come back as they are about to embark on another Test series in the country, especially for former captain Khaled Mahmud. Twenty years on, Mahmud can still vividly recall the size of the chasm between the two sides and the support he got from Australia’s legendary captain Steve Waugh.
Bangladesh were a young and inexperienced Test side in 2003 when they went to Australia. Australia, on the other hand, were the dominant players in world cricket, with Matthew Hayden, Ricky Ponting, Adam Gilchrist, Brett Lee, Glenn McGrath and Stuart MacGill, the other leg-spinner, all in their ranks.
Strong criticism before the 2003 series
The Bangladesh team came to Australia with a lot of criticism. In a strongly-worded column ahead of the series, former Australia batsman David Hookes called on the team to “take both Tests as soon as possible”.
Hookes’ remarks were especially scathing about Bangladesh’s Test status, and urged Australia to completely control the inexperienced visitors. The comments were bound to be a talking point in the Bangladesh camp, which is already under one of the biggest challenges in international cricket.
Steve Waugh offered Bangladesh encouragement
Although the series has been criticised, Steve Waugh has gone about it in a very different way. In an event held before the first Test in Darwin, Mahmud said he had met Waugh and asked him if the Bangladesh players had read Hookes’ comments.
Waugh is said to have told Mahmud that the criticism levelled at Bangladesh was unfounded and that they were a better side than what people thought and asked them to perform well. The Bangladesh captain was given a big confidence boost after the words were spoken by the leader of such a strong Australian team.
Australia showed professionalism on the field
Mahmud also recalls that Australia’s style of play in the matches was quite different from what Bangladesh had envisioned. The visitors were expecting a lot of sledging from the Australians but got a team that focused on playing a disciplined and professional game of cricket.
Australia bowlers continued to play with their plans in mind and seldom gave Bangladesh easy runs. Stuart MacGill was especially effective, as he caused the inexperienced batters enough trouble with his variations and was the top wicket taker in the series with 17 wickets.
A memorable invitation to the Australian dressing room
After one Test, Waugh invited the Bangladesh players into the Australian dressing room, which was one of Mahmud’s most memorable experiences during the tour. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the young side of Bangladesh to get the chance to spend time with some of the greatest names in international cricket.
Mahmud recalled how the Australian players welcomed their opponents and interacted with them despite the huge difference in experience between the two teams. The Bangladesh players were given an opportunity to interact with the stars like Waugh, Gilchrist, Hayden, Ponting, Langer, Lee, Gillespie, McGrath and MacGill.
A missed opportunity in Darwin
Mahmud also recalled getting frustrated when some of his teammates left before the interaction with the Australian players was completed. He believed that the young Bangladesh cricketers were missing out on an opportunity that could not be replicated.
Mahmud’s time with a world-class Australian team was more than just a chance to meet famous players. The opportunity to learn from some of the best cricketers of the time, their experiences and what it takes to play at the highest level.
The teams later shared a special moment
This experience was repeated in the second Test at Cairns. Waugh once again invited the Bangladesh players to spend time with Australia’s squad and this time the interaction extended much longer.
The players swapped caps, shared pictures and anecdotes of cricket. Even Justin Langer got himself a photo with the red and green cap of Bangladesh. The young Bangladesh players felt confident and realized that the world’s strongest teams could also be respectful and encouraging, Mahmud believes.
Bangladesh have closed the gap
Now, 20+ years later, Mahmud feels that Bangladesh has come a long way. Australia are still one of the top teams in Test cricket but Bangladesh have come up with some great performances against sturdier opponents.
Bangladesh have also won a historic Test in Dhaka against Australia in 2017 and picked up key overseas successes such as a famous Test triumph in New Zealand. The gap between the two teams is not as wide as it was in the 2003 tour, Mahmud said.
Mahmud urges Bangladesh to enjoy the occasion
Mahmud hopes the current generation will understand how far the team has come since those days when they were facing Australia again. The task is still tough, but Bangladesh now have much more experience of playing against top Test teams.
The key message for Mahmud is that Bangladesh must not be paralysed by the reputation of Australia, but rather make the best of the opportunity. He has seen the mammoth task he faced on the 2003 tour and feels the players should draw inspiration from their improvement and savour every minute of the latest Test series.
