Aminul Islam seeks assistance from India, Pakistan

Aminul Islam, the first Bangladesh player to score a Test hundred, wants cricketing powers like Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka to assist his country in getting established as a strong Test-playing nation.

Aminul was quoted in "The News" today as saying if neighbouring countries like Pakistan and India extended their support and assistance to Bangladesh, their credentials as a Test playing country would get a boost.

"They can support us by allowing our players to play in their domestic programmes. We are already doing it in Pakistan as we play in the Wills Cup. But the more exposure our players get, the better for them."

Aminul, who earned the honour of scoring Bangladesh's first century in their maiden one-off Test against India last month in Dhaka, said he had no doubt that there was enough passion for the game and talent in his country to justify their induction as the 10th Test-playing nation.

"Cricket is like a second religion in Bangladesh. There is so much passion for it among my countrymen and ever since we got Test status, the interest has increased manifold," Islam, in Islamabade to participate in a double-wicket championship, was quoted as saying.

He said cricketers in Bangladesh were treated like demigods, which is why people had high expectations from their team. "It explains why people went mad in my country when last year we beat Pakistan in the World Cup."

Aminul, who captained the team for two years before being replaced by Naimur Rehman for the inaugural Test against India, said he was happy to be able to concentrate on batting, which had enabled him to score the hundred against India.

"I know a lot of people have questioned the wisdom of granting us Test status, but given our record in various ACC and ICC tournaments and even in the One-day Internationals in recent times, I think we deserved it."

Aminul had no doubt that with the introduction of a first-class structure in the country last year comprising three and four-day matches and one-day games, a lot of talent would come up gradually and with the government and the Board also lending full support, things would improve quickly. "I think our future is very bright. But people will have to show patience. They should not expect overnight miracles from us. We are not in the same league as Pakistan, Australia or South Africa."

Aminul said since Bangladesh cricketers did not have much experience of playing abroad, they would struggle on tours for the next few years before adjusting themselves. "I feel the more talent we've to choose from, the better it is for our cricket."