Men-of-the-matches in England 99, are called on to join Bangladesh-A squad

Taking part in the 1999 World Cup was a dream for Bangladesh, who began the Tournament hoping for a solitary win over Scotland. The team certainly didn't let their country down; in the event they achieved two victories.

The win over Scotland wasn't easy; at one stage it looked as if Scotland were to triumph. But a veteran batsman's determination to stay in and keep the strike as long as possible saved his country from doom. He is Minhajul Abedin, one of the brightest prospects in Bangladesh. His unbeaten 68 proved his ability to absorb pressure and take command of the opposition, and won him an unarguable man-of-the-match award.

Bangladesh's second win was beyond belief, because their opponents were one of the superpowers in world cricket, accustomed to crushing teams like Bangladesh. In an unforgettable 62-run victory over Pakistan, our second man of the match was Khaled Mahmood; a compatriot of Minhajul who can to bowl a tight length and is a hard-hitting middle order batsman. Mahmood's cameo 27 shored up the innings to post a fighting total of two hundred plus. His bowling ended with a brilliant show, taking three vital Pakistani wickets for 31 runs. The jubilant Bangladeshis will never forget his accomplishment.

Almost two years have passed since we last saw either of them on the field, though their domestic performance is admirable. Both wished to play Test matches - a dream still unfulfilled. Minhaj has been incomprehensibly ignored, and Khaled Mahmood was repeatedly told that he was too old to be considered, even though he is not yet thirty!

This one-eyed judgment put both players though months of mental agony. Both are successful at domestic level, in each version of the game. Minhaj is equally successful in National League and Premier Division 2000-2001. Mahmood scored over 300 runs with a haul of 37 wickets in his pocket in the National League 2000-2001. So, what's wrong with them? The newly formed Cricket Committee has hailed these two star-cricketers who have served their homeland for years. Now they are called on to join the camp of Bangladesh-A team.

If it is not humiliating to be called into the A-team campaign, it is certainly frustrating, and embarrassing too. They do not try to hide their displeasure that they are not being treated with the respect they deserve as seniors. Cricket is what they dream about. Cricket has given them much, and they have done their best for the game. And we can see the fruits of their labour - Bangladesh's Test status. From childhood a cricketer cherishes the hope that he will one day represent his country in Test cricket. Minhaj and Khaled are no exceptions. Age should not be a barrier if performance and fitness are up to the mark. We hope their dreams will come true, and before long.