Lenin Gani
Dhaka, Dec 31 (bdnews24.com) -- Bangladesh sport in 2011 was marked by three significant events namely the Cricket World Cup opening ceremony, Lionel Messi's Argentina showing off their skills on our soil and MA Muhit and Wasfia Nazreen scaling Everest and Kilimanjaro respectively.
While co-hosts Bangladesh failed to inspire on the field (the low point being dismissed for 58 against West Indies!), at least the dazzling opening ceremony at the Bangabandhu National Stadium was a sight to behold.
The centrepiece of the ceremony was undoubtedly watching Shakib Al Hasan enter the venue in a rickshaw to the applause of the thousands of spectators.
The opening extravaganza was a fitting tribute to a nation that was about to celebrate 40 years of independence.
The arrival of Messi and Co to play an exhibition match will definably go down in Bangladesh football history.
The hype and frenzy generated by the wizard Messi, was not going to be spoiled by anything, not even the state visit of Indian premier Manmohan Singh.
The match itself went according the script.
Messi created two goals to inspire two-time world champions Argentina to a 3-1 international friendly win over 'Super Eagles' Nigeria on Sept 6.
Messi, cheered by fans with his every touch, set up Gonzalo Higuain for the opening goal after 24 minutes and it was from his mesmerising run and shot that Angel Di Maria doubled the lead two minutes later.
Nigeria pulled one back through substitute Chinedu Obasi soon after the restart but an own goal from Elderson midway through the half restored Argentina's two-goal cushion.
Messi entertained the Bangladesh fans right from kick-off and the playmaker went close to breaking the deadlock on 15 minutes when his free-kick whistled inches past the post.
A strong Argentina side then went in front thanks to Messi's astute chipped past that found an unmarked Higuain and he fired home.
Argentina's second soon after owed much to a brilliant jinking run by Messi who beat three defenders before seeing his curling shot saved by Dele Aiyegnuba. The keeper was powerless though from stopping Di Maria tapping in the rebound.
Messi almost grabbed a third in first-half stoppage time but this time was denied by a fine save by Dele.
Nigeria coach Samon Siasia sent on Obasi for the second half and he made an immediate impact by netting from close range after a deflected shot from John Obi Mikel fell to him.
Fellow substitute Ahmed Musa then fired wide but Argentina grabbed a third goal on 65 minutes when Elderson put through his own net.
The sacking of Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan and his deputy Tamim Iqbal was another major story that grabbed the headlines also on that day.
Following the disastrous tour of Zimbabwe, the country's cricket board (BCB) removed the pair.
According to a board spokesman, "Shakib and Tamim have been removed from their posts as they failed to lead the team to success in Zimbabwe."
At least Shakib had the satisfaction of becoming not only the No 1 one-day all-rounder he cemented his status in the Test arena as well.
Bangladesh enjoyed no success away against Zimbabwe, who marking their return to Test fold after a long self-imposed absence.
It was the same case when the Tigers hosted a relatively young and inexperienced West Indies side and revamped Pakistan, still coming to terms with the shockwaves caused by the spot-fixing scam involving Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir.
Bangladesh mountaineering celebrated two heroes when MA Muhit conquered Mount Everest on May 23, a year to the day Musa Ibrahim reached the summit.
And on Oct 2 Wasfia Nazreen climbed to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa and the fourth highest point in the world.
Bangladesh domestic football made news for all the wrong reasons too when Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club was fined $27,000 in July for their involvement in a match-fixing scandal.
It was alleged that Sheikh Jamal took part in a fixed game against Rahmatganj MFS in the country's maiden professional league in June.
While it is difficult to recall all those who have passed away in the last 12 months, the untimely demise of noted sports journalist and the first professional Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) general secretary Al Mussabir Sadi was a real shock.
A gifted writer, Pommel to his friends and colleagues, passed away in May after suffering from stomach cancer. He was only 44 and survived by his wife and two sons.
He will never be forgotten.
bdnews24.com/lg/2240h
