With a series victory in sight, the Tigers probably wouldn’t have preferred any other ground than the one that they will be playing on today. Yes, it is true that they seem to have built their fortress at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur lately, but that should not overshadow the series of positive results that they have achieved in Chittagong. “The ground in Chittagong is under pressure,” joked ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan during the pre-match press conference yesterday, when asked whether he was happy that the series-decider was taking place in ‘lucky’ Chittagong.
A practical Shakib expectedly brushed aside the notion of a lucky venue.
“We have to play well to win no matter where we play. If we want to win we will have to perform.
“Nobody says that Chittagong is lucky or the other grounds are unlucky. We have won on all our grounds and they are all lucky for us because this is our home,” said Shakib.
While there is logic in the left-hander’s words, no one can deny that the port city has given the cricket fans of this country several cherished memories. The West Indies, for instance, were bundled out for just 61 runs here in 2011. That was the only match of the three-match series that Bangladesh won.
However, the crucial group stage victory against England during the 2011 World Cup perhaps tops the list. The half-century stand for the ninth wicket between Mahmudullah Riyad and Shafiul Islam surpassed all comebacks.
This is also the ground that saw Bangladesh almost pull off a Test upset against New Zealand in 2008. Had it not been for a defiant 76 from Daniel Vettori, Bangladesh would have achieved something that they are denied even today; a Test victory against a top-flight nation.
In October 2013, Shohag Gazi took a six-wicket haul including hattrick and then scored a century on this ground.
With the series-decider due today, will Chittagong witness another memorable victory for the Tigers?
-With The Daily Star input
