Curtain falls impressionably

THREE major series of cricket tournaments -- Asia Cup and World Cup T-20, men and women, held us captivated for a full month. Bangladesh-Sri Lanka Asia Cup encounter starting on February 15 ended on March 8 and the World Cup T-20 beginning on March 16 had its curtain fall on April 6. After being caught up in cricketing fever for that long, the sequel is a little bland now. So a certain nostalgia is the immediate result.
And if all that was a tribute to cricket crazy Bangladeshis, national cricket team's standing on the table has been rather anti-climactic. After fourteen years of test status defeating Afghanistan and Nepal was not something to be gleeful about. And, following defeat against Hong Kong in every match at the Super 10 stage we cut a sorry figure. Admittedly though, our gains from the Asia Cup encounter with Sri Lanka which ultimately triumphed in World Cup T-20 tournament in style were not inconsiderable. But the confidence derived from the series came to little use in the subsequent world series.
Having said that, none can fail to be cheery about our event management capabilities -- we have vaulted a new height there. Our self-esteem has been enhanced in terms of hospitality, security arrangements and smooth staging of the games barring a few load-shedding hiccups that we put on the table.
We congratulate the organisers, security personnel and disciplined cricket watchers on their successful event management.