What is Bangladesh doing that we are not?

[tawac]

Bangladesh has been making steady improvements. They are now a much improved side. Its nice to see their senior players leading from the front something our senior player know nothing of. And with their new guys doing well too. They are now clearly a class above us.

[eugene]

Bangladesh was always going to move ahead of Zimbabwe, even without ZCs incompetence. Their population base and passion for cricket means they are the next emerging cricketing power. Zimbabwe never really had a pathway to become anything other than a minnow.

[gargamel]

Bangladesh was always going to move ahead of Zimbabwe, even without ZCs incompetence. Their population base and passion for cricket means they are the next emerging cricketing power. Zimbabwe never really had a pathway to become anything other than a minnow.

I second and agree with you here 200% . There is simply no sporting culture in the majority of the black population. I am proudly black but the truth is that sports are considered leisure and social activities as opposed to a vible millin dollar buisnesss. We simply are clueless. 3 years back i was on assignment in Gwanda and over the weekend i was told there was a rugby game down in Esigodini where Falcon was playing CBC I was amazed at the number of Zambian and Mozambican plates cars and white folks with a few speckles of pepper in the crowd. The culture goes beyond support its high standards of development and maintenance of Facilities and structures .It is quite sad that in the whole country we have one set of solid covers for a test playing nation , we have one functioning tractor. One thing that the current regime talks about is structures and development. But look at our women s cricket millions would flow but simply no one cares , no clubs , no inter provincials, poor facilities to help the conditioning of the ladies. Then go to our mens structures lack of real incentives to motivate and retain good players. The lack of rewards either in cash or selections. Best case currently is Nathan Waller who left for Ireland then came back. He simply was not appreciated as the next in line to challenge Chigumbura

[Kriterion_BD]

Zimdoggy and eugene both hit nails on the head.

Bangladesh just needed some time. We will eventually achieve more or less what Pakistan has achieved...might take us 100 years but we will get there eventually. Sri Lanka can't say the same. I expect the Afghans to follow our footsteps...give them another 10 years. Nepal might be the next one. Sides like NZ, SL, Ireland, and Zimbabwe wont be able to compete with the passion. Given that, NZ and SL have already achieved an unbelievable amount.

[ZIMDOGGY]

Zimbabwe really needed every talented hand on deck.

An admin with half a brain wouldve held onto their white dudes and coaches and looked to slowly exapand of that and develop black talent on the side.

Organically, In 2017 we could have had a fully functional team with 7 or 8 of our best white players and 3 or 4 black players who busted their arse to get where they were.
Real heroes doing the extra bit. Up from 1 or 2 fifteen years ago.

Not entitled brats who were gifted the opportunity because they got rid of the competition standing in front of them.

[eugene]

I wouldn't underestimate New Zealand's potential. Cricket is a part of our identity and most people play it at school in the warmer months. New Zealand also has a habit of punching way above its weight in sports - Rugby Union, Rugby League, Cricket, Sailing, Equestrian, Hockey, Rowing.

Bangladesh winning the 2023 CWC isn't that far fetched in my mind. They strike me as being in the same place as SL was in the early 90s at the moment.

[The Robot]

Cricket nation become strong through tight and competative domestic set up. Zimbabwe in their history of 25 years since they got full member status failed to build strong domestic cricket unit, whereas Bangladesh has strong domestic set up with four day formats, odis and t20 bpl leagues where youths show their skills.

ZC's domestic structure always had been in news due to player strikes, salary issues, logistic problems, still unable to come off with long term funding problems.Shortcommings are making the youths think for another country then Zimbabwe.

Players like Miraz, Shanto, who played under 19 world cup in 2016 are being drafted to national team with confidence, whereas Zimbos under 19s in the same world cup i,e Murray, Ives, Snyder, Sly, Keefe are out of picture. Zimbabwe are the only nations where under 19 youths vanish after the world cup. ZC failures continues to make them think about playing for Zimbabwe

[eugene]

Our domestic structure was small but of a high level back in the 90s. Mashonaland v Matabeleland being the main rivalry. And then Young Mashonaland to get the young players some game time and a Country Districts side for the farmers. Those were the days.

[Kriterion_BD]

I wouldn't underestimate New Zealand's potential. Cricket is a part of our identity and most people play it at school in the warmer months. New Zealand also has a habit of punching way above its weight in sports - Rugby Union, Rugby League, Cricket, Sailing, Equestrian, Hockey, Rowing.

Bangladesh winning the 2023 CWC isn't that far fetched in my mind. They strike me as being in the same place as SL was in the early 90s at the moment.

NZ are certainly a top side. They've made 4 or 5 world cup semifinals, reached #1 in at least one format, played in a WC final, etc.

But there are only 3 teams that can be perennial superpowers in cricket and that is of course the big 3 of India, Australia, and England. South Africa somehow produces enough quality to be right up there in terms of performance (sans the choking) but they just don't have the same x factor as the above 3. Pakistan is in the SA bracket comprising a de facto 2nd tier, historically speaking (currently well below that). I would put SL, NZ, WI and BD in a 3rd tier of competitive sides, but just making up the numbers (Pak is currently at this level for much of the current millenium). My opinion is only PAK and BD have the potential to get into tier 2 given their passion fpr the game, size of player base, and size of economy both cricketing and overall.

[eugene]

If the Windies got their house in order they could turn things around. The passion can still be reignited, I think.