The Mighty Vanquished

The Bangladeshis will forever cherish June 18, 2005. They accomplished what was considered impossible a week before: they defeated Australia in a cricket match. The lowest ranked ODI cricket team trounced the world champions.

There can't be too much praise for Mohammad Ashraful who showcased his first ODI century at a strike rate of a 100. I can't imagine the surge of emotions he must felt after making that glorious score. The Bangladeshis owe their victory to his supercharged century. This man has, no question, cemented his place in the team.

What a truly sad state of affairs it has been for the miserable Australians. In a matter of a week, the Aussies have been shocked, humiliated, and now humbled. "We will just laugh it all off," was what Ponting said after their defeat in the Twenty20 match. They'll have to cry this off.

Update: I gather this is quite an appropriate reaction.

More Reactions:

• The Corridor of Uncertainty lives up to its name; read the first sentence of the post. There's also a photo of celebrating Bangladeshis.
• Oh so unlike an Australian.
• Not gloating.
• Uh oh.

Update III:

• Cricinfo calls this the greatest upset in ODI cricket history.
• The Wisden verdict by Andrew Miller.
• A few words with the giant killers.

Update IV: I admit it. I'm proven wrong.