Tiger or tail?

By SA Mansoor, Gulshan, Dhaka
23 September 2004, 18:00 PM
Our rain drenched and flood wetted cricketing Tigers have slunk back from the jungle trails of ICC with their tail between the legs, and a woeful countenance. We the unfortunate Tiger fans are meanwhile pitifully mewing in sorrow and anguish. Since luck and chance plays a significant role in cricket, particularly one day cricket; with our pitiable standard of cricketing technique and temperament; may be we should seriously look into transforming our luck!

One way to woo lady luck could be by changing the name and mascot of our team; from the elusive and majestic Tiger to the ever cunning Cat. Cats are said to be lucky and according to some are bestowed with "nine lives"; an appreciation of their luck and cunning ways. They even have the uncanny habit of landing on their four feet, no matter even if they fall deliberately or otherwise! May be this trait is badly needed among our cricketers. What more could an anguished and disappointed fan propose? Even Whatmore our coach seems to have lost his aplomb at long last! Some wags suggest that we call our team "Tiger Bait", since the way other tigers have mauled us at the ICC tournament .

Puns aside; after the tour of New Zealand; it should be time for us to take a hard look at our cricket and decide if we are fit for further participation in the international arena or not; at least for the next decade or so, while we do our homework properly.