Cricket as nationalist obsession: ICC World Cup 2011 and Bangladesh as a host nation

Abstract

Bangladesh shares a common South Asian cricket culture with the subcontinental Big Threes – India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka – in the new century. Moreover, cricket acts as a great leveller in Bangladeshi society ridden with political dissension and socio-communal tension. The performance of Bangladesh in the 2007 World Cup and its impact on the everyday life of Bangladesh constituted a critical juncture in the transformation of cricket from a cultural passion to a nationalist obsession. In the course of the next four years, Bangladesh matured more as a cricketing nation, and cricket has become its only secular religion. While the country has not registered any noticeable progress in sports in general, its performance in international cricket, especially in one-day cricket, improved much, albeit without consistency. This article examines the impact of this improvement upon the national culture of Bangladesh and consequent changes in her cricket culture. The hosting of the 2011 World Cup provided an opportunity to the nation to showcase both its maturity and potential as a cultural destination as well as a cricketing nation in terms of performance and culture. This article will try to show how Bangladesh rose up to the occasion to assert its identity at the international stage despite the complex impact of the event on its polity, society and economy.

Notes

¹ Dasgupta, ‘Bangladesh Cricket’, 162.

² Uddin, Constructing Bangladesh, 122.

³ Hobsbawm and Ranger, eds. The Invention of Tradition, 13.

⁴ When the Pakistani government declared Urdu as the official state language of Pakistan, completely rejecting the demands of the Bengalis of East Pakistan to recognize Bengali as one of the state languages, political leaders and activists of East Pakistan declared 21 February as the state language day. As the central government banned all processions and demonstrations on that day, the Dhaka University students and many others, defying the order, led demonstrations and participated in processions, resulting in violent clashes with police and military forces, which killed and injured several students and other Bengali agitators. Two days later, a memorial column was erected at the site of the killing near Dhaka Medical College. The people of Bangladesh subsequently came to celebrate 21 February – Ekushe (twenty-first) – both as Language Day and Martyrs' Day. After Bangladesh gained independence, the commemoration of the day has become representative of a Bangladeshi secular identity.

⁵ When Pakistani police and military forces began their brutal genocide in the night of 25 March 1971, Bangladesh was declared to be a free nation on 26 March, and the Bengalis en masse participated in an armed liberation struggle joining the Muktibahini (liberation forces). However, as war broke out in East Pakistan in March 1971, India gradually became involved in the conflict and effected full-scale military intervention in early December, resulting in the surrender of the Pakistani army to the Muktibahini on 16 December and enabling a victory for Bangladesh. Once Bangladesh became independent, 26 March and 16 December came to be celebrated as Independence Day and Victory Day, respectively. Both the occasions, celebrated with typical Bengali cultural programmes every year, provide to Bangladeshi masses an opportunity for assertion of their secular national identity.

⁶ Pahela Baishakh is a secular holiday that became increasingly popular during the period of Pakistan rule as a symbol of resistance to what Bengalis regarded as a form of cultural imperialism. Celebrated with Bengali music and culture, this annual occasion again marks the significance of secular nationalist identity amongst the masses who participate in the occasion irrespective of their religious, social or professional affiliation.

⁷ Mahfuz Anam, ‘Editor's Note’, Star Roar: World Cup Special, The Daily Star, February 2011, 1.

⁸ Rezanur Rahman, ‘Cup Kintu Ektai, Seta Jitte Hobe’ [There is only one cup, we have to win it], Anando Alo (Dhaka), February 16, 2011, 15.

⁹ Rezanur Rahman, ‘Cup Kintu Ektai, Seta Jitte Hobe’ [There is only one cup, we have to win it], Anando Alo (Dhaka), February 16, 2011, 15

¹⁰ See Saber Hossain Chowdhury, ‘Reaching for the Stars’, Star Roar: World Cup Special, The Daily Star, February 2011, 6–7.

¹¹ See Saber Hossain Chowdhury, ‘Reaching for the Stars’, Star Roar: World Cup Special, The Daily Star, February 2011, 7. The non-resident Bangladeshis, or broadly speaking, Bangladeshi diaspora considered the occasion to be the best opportunity for Bangladesh to build up its positive image, in front of the global public, thereby eradicating its negative images till date. For such opinions, see Suhel Ahmed, ‘Probashider Biswacup Cricket Niye Bhabna’ [Ideas of the non-resident Bangladeshis about the World Cup], Kriralok (Dhaka), Biswacup Album-1, February 2011, 86–8.

¹² Chowdhury, ‘Reaching for the Stars’, 7.

¹³ Anam, ‘Editor's Note’.

¹⁴ There were, however, occasional criticisms as to the lack of proper planning for the preparation of the Dhaka city as well. As The New Nation noted: ‘many careful observers have not failed to note that beautification and other activities designed to put up a pretty face of Dhaka on the occasion, were not up to the mark in some cases. … Everywhere the beautification works were done at the eleventh hour although they could be started long ago to give a truly aesthetic look to the city. But resources were spent in a haste and an opportunity for a meaningful facelift of the city was half utilized. … It is doubtful how much careful planning has gone into promoting Bangladesh's tourism prospects by arranging with different channel operators to carry publicity materials to this end. Other activities also seem scanty or not at all to seize this opportunity to put up a good face of Bangladesh as a fine place to visit or invest’. The New Nation (Dhaka), February 18, 2011, 5.

¹⁵ For an excellent discussion on this, see Sayid Mohammad, ‘Prastut Bangladesh’ [Ready Bangladesh)] Krirajagat (Dhaka), February 16, 2011, 9–18. Also see ‘Biswacuper Janyo Prastut Bangladesh’, Kriralok, Biswacup Album 1, 20 February 2011, 46. Also see ‘Aminul Haq Mallick’, Canvas (Dhaka), February 2011, 66.

¹⁶ Daily Sun (Dhaka), February 18, 2011, 14.

¹⁷ It was pointed out that despite being awarded the host status six years back, the organizers of the World Cup in Bangladesh began its work only in 2010. Naturally therefore, things had to be completed hectically and on an ad hoc basis. See, for details, Kamal Hosain Bablu, ‘Bangladesher Biswacup Joy: Keno Noy!’ [Bangladesh's World Cup victory: why not!], Kriralok, Biswacup Album-1, February 2011, 9. To give a concrete example, football coach Shafikul Islam Manik argued that the taxi drivers were not given any proper training to deal with the foreign visitors during the World Cup, thereby leaving a major area of concern to mess. Similarly, neither the government nor the BCB tried to utilize the opportunity to build up a new venue or stadium that would have served the interests of the game in Bangladesh in the long run. In Manik's opinion, many such opportunities were lost by the government that could have made a difference to the country in a long-term perspective. See ‘Hobei Hobe Joy’ [Victory will surely come], Anando Alo, February 16, 2011, 42–3.

¹⁸ There were many who condemned this stop-gap action on the ground that it would create immense hardship for the poor beggars in the winter. See Mohammad Arifuzzaman Tuhin, ‘Bangladeshe Biswacup: Vikhkhukmukto Nagari’ [World Cup in Bangladesh: Beggar-free city], Sahasrabda (Dhaka), February–March 2011, 11–12.

¹⁹ Dainik Purbokon (Chittagong), February 9, 2011, 1 and 9.

²⁰ Dainik Purbokon (Chittagong), February 9, 2011, 1 and 9

²¹ Saptahik 2000 (Dhaka), February 18, 2011, 55.

²² Anisur Rahman, ‘Tiger's Den, Venue: Dhaka Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium’, Star Roar: World Cup Special, The Daily Star, February 2011, 95. Also see ‘Biswacup Venu’ (World Cup venues), Anyodin (Dhaka), February 2011, 57–58. Such lavish expenditure, it was noted as well, put heavy pressure on the exchequer, and money had to be diverted from the funds allotted to other areas, for the purpose of the World Cup.

²³ Anisur Rahman, ‘An Oasis, Venue: Chittagong Zohur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium’, Star Roar: World Cup Special, The Daily Star, February 2011, 97.

²⁴ Anisur Rahman, ‘An Oasis, Venue: Chittagong Zohur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium’, Star Roar: World Cup Special, The Daily Star, February 2011, 97

²⁵ A classic advertisement showed a bride, who, while looking at mirror during shubhadristi (the ritual of looking at the groom by the bride for the first time during marriage), finds Shakib-al-Hasan, the young dashing Bangladesh captain.

²⁶ Sheikh Saifur Rahman, ‘Cricket: Japone, Udjapone’ [Cricket in life, in celebration], Canvas, February 2011, 73.

²⁷ The list includes Sonargaon, Sheraton, Radisson, the Westin, Purbani, Best Western La Vinci, Regency and Sarina.

²⁸ The list includes Sonargaon, Sheraton, Radisson, the Westin, Purbani, Best Western La Vinci, Regency and Sarina, 73.

²⁹ Shah Husain Imam, ‘The Second Triumph’, The Daily Star (Dhaka), February 18, 2011, 14.

³⁰ Touhidul Islam, ‘Khelar Cheye Beshi Kichu’ (Something More Than the Game), Saptahik Kagoj, February 20, 2011, 46.

³¹ Rahman, ‘Cricket: Japone, Udjapone’, 73.

³² Daily Sun, February 18, 2011, 4.

³³ For a brief but useful discussion on the preparation of the inauguration at the Bangabandhu Stadium, see ‘Parda Othar Apekhhay Bangabandhu Stadium’ [Bangabandhu Stadium is waiting for the curtain raiser], Anyodin, February 2011, 71–72.

³⁴ As one newspaper correspondent nicely summed it up, ‘The sky of Dhaka was decorated with vibrant colours as a dazzling opening ceremony, showcasing the sub-continental traditions and culture and highlighting the vivacious heritage of Bangladesh marked the opening of the ICC-Cricket World Cup 2011’. Daily Sun, February 18, 2011, 1.

³⁵ Indian Express (Kolkata), February 18, 2011, 1.

³⁶ The Daily Star, February 19, 2011.

³⁷ Daily Sun, February 18, 2011, 4.

³⁸ Prothom Alo (Internet edition) (Dhaka), February 16, 2011.

³⁹ Golam Sarwar, ‘Cricket er Janye Bhalobasa’ [Love for cricket], Somokal Chakka (Dhaka), ICC World Cup Special Issue, 2011, 3; author's translation.

⁴⁰ Maswood Alam Khan, ‘Enjoy Cricket, Derive Pleasures, and Manage Pains’, The Financial Express (Dhaka), February 20, 2011, 4.

⁴¹ Sampa Ghosh, a young college teacher from West Bengal of India, who visited various parts of Bangladesh during the first few matches of Bangladesh, mentioned in her travel note that the excitement and emotions were difficult to match even in Kolkata. The way cricket came to dominate the life of the masses seemed amazing to her. Shampa Ghosh, ‘A Journey to Remember: Dhaka 2011’, Travel Note, March 2011.

⁴² Rahman, ‘Cricket Japone, Udjapone’, 72.

⁴³ Al-Amin, ‘The Passion Is Here to Stay’, Star Roar: World Cup Special, The Daily Star, February 2011, 14.

⁴⁴ ‘Biswacuper Janyo Prastut Bangladesh’, 12.

⁴⁵ The New Nation (Dhaka), February 18, 2011, 2.

⁴⁶ ‘Biswacup Aayojon’ [World Cup organization], Canvas, February 2011, 28.

⁴⁷ Anando Alo, February 16, 2011, 66.

⁴⁸ Al-Amin, ‘The Passion Is Here to Stay’, 15.

⁴⁹ The New Nation, February 20, 2011, 1–2.

⁵⁰ Daily Sun, February 20, 2011, 1, 23.

⁵¹ The New Nation, February 19, 2011, 1–2; The Independent, February 20, 2011, 3.

⁵² The Independent (Dhaka), February 19, 2011, 3.

⁵³ The Independent (Dhaka), February 19, 2011, 25.

⁵⁴ Amit Kumar Biswas, a freelancer, described the TSC on Bangladesh's match day as ‘a stadium outside the stadium’, where the rituals of passionate fanfare displayed in the stadium were replicated in front of the giant screens. Amit Kumar Biswas, ‘Biswacup Cricket 2011 o Bangladesh: Ekti Parjalochona’ [World Cup Cricket and Bangladesh: An evaluation], Email communication, March 2011.

⁵⁵ Interview with Muntassir Mamoon, Dhaka: February 19, 2011.

⁵⁶ Dibakar Acharya, ‘Jitte Sikhi, Harte Sikhi’ [Let's learn to win and to be beaten], Saptahik Kagoj (Dhaka), February 20, 2011, 37. The author described the aggressive reaction after defeat in a match as typically Indian and urged the Bangladeshis not to emulate this culture, which only affects the reputation of the nation.

⁵⁷ The Daily Star (Internet edition), March 5, 2011.

⁵⁸ The Daily Star (Internet edition), March 5, 2011

⁵⁹ Prothom Alo, March 11, 2011.

⁶⁰ The Independent (Internet edition), March 12, 2011.

⁶¹ The Daily Star (Internet edition), March 13, 2011.

⁶² The Daily Star (Internet edition), March 13, 2011

⁶³ Dainik Janokantho (Dhaka) (Internet edition), March 12, 2011.

⁶⁴ Nirmalendu Gun, ‘Mar Ghuriye, Bangladesh’ [Turn and hit, Bangladesh], Prothom Alo (Internet edition), March 12, 2011.

⁶⁵ Dainik Janokantho (Internet edition), March 12, 2011.

⁶⁶ The Daily Star (Internet edition), March 15, 2011.

⁶⁷ Shakil Kasem, ‘Mediocrity Rules, Ok’, The Daily Star (Internet edition), March 21, 2011.

⁶⁸ Shakib at the press conference after the match. Dainik Janokantho (Internet Edition), March 21, 2011; author's translation.

⁶⁹ Shakib at the press conference after the match. Dainik Janokantho (Internet Edition), March 21, 2011; author's translation

⁷⁰ Kasem, ‘Mediocrity Rules, Ok’.

⁷¹ Uddin, Constructing Bangladesh, 142.

⁷² Uddin, Constructing Bangladesh, 145.

⁷³ For details on this, see Schendel, ‘Bengalis, Bangladeshis and Others’.

⁷⁴ For details on this, see Chatterjee, The Nation and Its Fragments.

⁷⁵ Uddin, Constructing Bangladesh, 151.