Cricket in Bangladesh is more than a sport — it’s a passion, a unifier, and a source of national pride. While the journey of Bangladesh in international cricket has been full of ups and downs, their rise through the ranks of ICC tournaments tells a story of resilience, growth, and occasional magic. From humble beginnings to giant-killing feats, let’s dive into the best performances of Bangladesh in ICC tournaments that captured the imagination of fans around the world.
1. ICC Champions Trophy 2006 – The Spark of Potential
The ICC Champions Trophy 2006 in India may not be remembered for Bangladesh making it deep into the tournament, but it was a clear signal that they were evolving. In the qualifying stage, Bangladesh defeated Zimbabwe and gave Sri Lanka a genuine scare before being edged out.
What stood out was the emergence of a competitive side led by Habibul Bashar, featuring a young Mashrafe Mortaza, Mohammad Ashraful, and a promising Shakib Al Hasan. This tournament laid the foundation for their growing competitiveness in global tournaments.
2. ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 – The Giant Killers Are Born
Arguably the most iconic chapter in Bangladesh’s World Cup history came during the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup in the Caribbean. Two performances from this tournament have become folklore in Bangladesh cricket:
Victory Over India
In one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history, Bangladesh defeated cricketing powerhouse India in the group stage. The youthful energy of Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim, and Shakib Al Hasan stunned the Indian side. Each scored gritty fifties to chase down India’s total in Trinidad.
Victory Over South Africa
Bangladesh wasn’t done yet. In the Super 8 stage, they defeated South Africa, another top-tier team. Mohammad Ashraful played a dazzling innings, scoring 87 off 83 balls, helping Bangladesh reach a competitive 251. The bowling unit, led by Abdur Razzak and Mortaza, did the rest, bundling out South Africa and causing another upset.
This World Cup introduced the world to Bangladesh’s fearless brand of cricket.
3. ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2020 – Champions at Last
Although not the senior team, the 2020 U19 ICC Cricket World Cup win deserves a special place in this list. It marked the first time Bangladesh won an ICC event — and in what fashion!
The Final vs India
Facing the tournament favorites India in the final, Bangladesh showcased maturity and aggression. The bowlers did a superb job restricting India to 177. Then, despite a few jitters in the chase, Akbar Ali played the role of a calm finisher, guiding the team to victory via the DLS method.
This win was historic. It showed that Bangladesh’s talent pipeline was strong, and the future was brighter than ever.
4. ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 – Quarterfinal Glory
Bangladesh’s run to the quarterfinals of the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup in Australia and New Zealand was a coming-of-age moment for the team. They made it to the knockout stage of a 50-over World Cup for the first time.
Key Moments:
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Win vs England: A thrilling win in Adelaide against England saw Mahmudullah scoring a brilliant century, supported by Rubel Hossain’s fiery last spell, which earned Bangladesh a historic spot in the quarterfinals.
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Consistent Team Effort: Shakib, Mushfiqur, and Tamim all had moments throughout the tournament, contributing to a balanced team performance.
Although they were eventually knocked out by India in the quarterfinals, the tournament cemented Bangladesh’s position as a serious white-ball team.
5. ICC Champions Trophy 2017 – The Semi-Final Breakthrough
In Champions Trophy 2017, Bangladesh reached their first-ever semi-final in an ICC senior men’s event. The tournament, hosted in England, provided some unforgettable moments.
Group Stage Drama:
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Victory vs New Zealand: With one foot out of the tournament, Bangladesh needed to win against New Zealand and hope England beat Australia. Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah then produced one of the greatest partnerships in ICC history, both scoring centuries to chase down 265 after being 33/4 at one point.
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England did their part, and Bangladesh advanced to the semis.
Semi-Final vs India:
Although the semi-final match against India was one-sided, the road to the semis was a significant statement of Bangladesh’s growth on the world stage.
6. ICC T20 World Cup 2016 – The Agonizing Finish
This one may not have ended in victory, but it was a performance etched in the memory of every cricket fan.
The Match vs India:
Chasing 146 against India in a crucial group stage match, Bangladesh needed 2 runs off 3 balls with Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah at the crease. But in a shocking turn, both batters were dismissed trying to finish the game in style. India held their nerve, and Bangladesh lost by just 1 run.
Though heart-wrenching, it showcased how far the team had come in T20 cricket — taking the fight to a powerhouse like India and nearly pulling off the win on Indian soil.
7. ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 – Shakib Al Hasan’s Masterclass
The 2019 ICC World Cup in England was a Shakib Al Hasan special. Though Bangladesh didn’t make the semifinals, their overall performance — especially Shakib’s — was phenomenal.
Shakib’s Record-Breaking Run:
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606 runs at an average of 86.57
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Two centuries and five fifties
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A handful of wickets as well
His all-round performance was hailed globally as one of the greatest World Cup campaigns ever by an individual.
Team Highlights:
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Win vs South Africa: Bangladesh kicked off their campaign with a convincing win over South Africa.
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Win vs West Indies: Another brilliant performance saw Bangladesh chase down a massive total with ease.
They finished 8th, but the team showed incredible fight, with Shakib’s brilliance leading the charge.
Honorable Mentions
ICC World Twenty20 2007 – Early Upset Over West Indies
Bangladesh beat the West Indies in the inaugural T20 World Cup, progressing to the Super 8s. This marked their first major win in the T20 format.
ICC U19 World Cup 2016 – 3rd Place Finish
Even before the 2020 win, Bangladesh had shown U19 promise. In 2016, they finished third on home soil, beating Sri Lanka in the 3rd-place playoff and showcasing a solid youth core.
Conclusion: A Team on the Rise
Bangladesh’s journey in ICC tournaments is a testament to their perseverance, passion, and progress. From underdogs to genuine threats, their story is far from over. The nation’s cricketing growth is reflected not just in victories but also in how closely contested their defeats have become. With a strong bench of young talent and experienced stars like Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim still leading, the next ICC tournament might just be the one where Bangladesh goes all the way.
FAQs
Q: Has Bangladesh ever won an ICC tournament?
Yes, the Bangladesh U19 team won the 2020 ICC Under-19 World Cup in South Africa, marking the country’s first ICC title.
Q: What’s Bangladesh’s best finish in the senior ICC World Cup?
Their best finish was reaching the quarterfinals in the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup.
Q: Who is Bangladesh’s top performer in ICC events?
Shakib Al Hasan stands out as Bangladesh’s greatest performer in ICC tournaments, especially the 2019 World Cup.
If you’re a fan of Bangladesh cricket or love watching underdogs shake up global tournaments, their ICC performances over the years have been nothing short of thrilling. Let’s hope the next chapter brings even greater glory!
Mayank Chowdhary is a professional cricket player in domestic cricket in India. He is very passionate about cricket and knows ins and out of cricket betting. With this long experience, now he has decided to share his experience with other cricket lover like you. Know more at the about me page.