It took Bangladesh 23 ODIs to win their maiden match in this format, back in 1998, when the red and green defeated Kenya.
Now the Tigers have become an admirable team in world cricket, awaiting their 100th ODI win.
With the victory in the first match against Afghanistan, Bangladesh have completed 99 ODI win in 313 matches.
Recalling the first ever win where Bangladesh defeated Kenya by 6 wickets, Mohhamad Rafique was the star in the match. The left arm spinner took three wickets while Kenya set up an target of 237 runs. Rafique opened the match with Atahar Ali Khan and scored a crucial 77 runs from 87 balls. The opening duo added 137 runs, Atahar scored 47 runs.
The road was never smooth. There was time when Tiger fans had to wait years for just a single win. Since their historic win against Pakistan in 1999 World Cup, Bangladesh had to wait 47 matches for the next victory. Finally in 2004, Bangladesh tasted another win in ODI, defeated Zimbabwe at their own home ground, Harare Sports Club.
Time has changed. Bangladesh team is now full of promising players. Shakib, Tamim, Mushfiqur, Mashrafe have taken Bangladesh cricket into another level. Shakib-Al-Hasan, world’s best ODI all rounder has become the global ambassador for Tiger cricket. Young stars like Mustafizur, Taskin, Soumya, Sabbir have made the team balanced.
Since the quarter-final berth at 2015 ICC ODI World Cup, Bangladesh have won the series against India, Pakistan, South Africa at home.
Bangladesh have won most ODIs against Zimbabwe, 39. Won 8 each against Kenya and New Zealand, 7 match against New Zealand, 5 each against India, Ireland. The Tigers picked up 4 win each against Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Scotland. England, South Africa have tasted defeat thrice, Afghanistan, Bermuda twice while Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Netherlands and United Arab Emirates lost one ODI each.
Tiger skipper Mashrafe on Tuesday expressed his confidence to win the 100th ODI in the next match against Afghanistan and to clinch the series with one match in hand. ‘I want to reach the milestone of 100ODI in the next match and clinch the series,” Mashrafe said to the media.
