For years, the nickname ‘The Tigers’ has been a source of ridicule for the Bangladesh cricket team. Online trolls have eagerly seized every opportunity to mock the Bangladesh team by using this nickname.
The common thread in these jibes is the irony of calling Bangladesh, a team that frequently falls short against top-tier opponents, ‘The Tigers’, one of the most fearsome predators on the planet.
However, the perceived ferocity of tigers is often exaggerated. In reality, tigers are not the most efficient hunters in the wild. The success rate of Bengal Tigers is estimated to be around 10-20 percent, making them, in a way, a fitting symbol for the Bangladesh cricket team, particularly in Tests.
Across all three formats, Bangladesh’s average win percentage is 32.67 percent, but in Tests, this figure drops to 13.98 percent, aligning with the success rate of Bengal Tigers.
Much like the spectacle of a successful tiger hunt, when Bangladesh finally secures a Test match victory after numerous failed attempts, it becomes a sight for sore eyes.
On Sunday at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, the Najmul Hossain Shanto-led Bangladesh side produced such a spectacle when they defeated Pakistan in a Test match for the very first time.
In a sense, the 10-wicket victory in Rawalpindi was not too dissimilar to how tigers hunt in the wild. A tiger stealthily approaches before sinking its teeth into the neck of its prey, and Bangladesh did something similar, making gradual progress over four days before going for the kill on Day 5.
After winning the toss, the pacers did their job on the rain-affected opening day, reducing Pakistan to 21-3 at one stage.
The Pakistan batsmen fought back on Day two on the placid surface, but Bangladesh ended the day with the satisfaction of thwarting Pakistan’s plan of taking wickets late in the day.
The third and fourth days saw Mushfiqur Rahim craft his epic 191, with four other batsmen contributing half-centuries to propel Bangladesh to a first innings lead of 117.
Heading into the final day, Bangladesh had a slight edge in the contest, although a draw still seemed the most likely outcome.
But the match suddenly came to life on the morning of Day five when, like hungry predators, the Bangladesh bowlers pounced on the Pakistan batsmen.
Aided by the fifth-day pitch and some reckless shot-making from the Pakistanis, the Bangladesh attack, led by spinners Mehedi Hasan Miraz and Shakib Al Hasan, bowled out Pakistan for 146, setting up a 30-run target which the batsmen chased down with ease.
After 13 unsuccessful attempts, Bangladesh finally managed to triumph over Pakistan in Tests. However, if Bangladesh wish to match a tiger’s hunting success rate in Tests against Pakistan, they will need to win the next match and secure a 2-0 series sweep.
