Bangladesh Tigers
The cricket ratings on the night of 31st December showed that Mohammad Rafique and Habibul Bashar of Bangladesh are among the top 10 Test Match players for the year 2003. Rafique, the highest wicket taker in Tests for Bangladesh is placed at No.5 while Bashar, the highest run scorer for Bangladesh in Tests, is ranked at No. 10.
Rafique had a great year, taking wickets in the series against Australia, Pakistan, South Africa and England. He took Bangladesh inches short of a first Test win against Pakistan. Habibul Bashar, on the other hand, scored consistently in Test Matches. He scored everywhere and in breathtaking fashion. Statistics show that whenever Bashar fails to score, Bangladesh are bowled out for less than 200.
Such feats should be recognised. We have grown used to being topping charts for all the wrong reasons. But now the tides have turned. Even though Bangladesh have a long way to go as a cricketing nation, the efforts of Rafique and Bashar should never be forgotten.
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