Bangladesh Board seeks cooperation from political parties (16 February 1999)

16 February 1999

Bangladesh Board seeks cooperation from political parties

Zahid Newaz in Dhaka

As the country is passing through political turmoil, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has sought cooperation from all political parties for the successful holding of the Asian Test final and a tri-nation one-day tournament in Dhaka next month.

"We need help from all quarters ... we're optimistic that all political parties will extend their hands of cooperation to make the prestigious Asian Test final and the tournament all out success," said its president Saber Hossain Chowdhury.

The call from the BCB president, who is also a lawmaker and deputy minister of the government, came in a press conference Monday, only three days after combined opposition of the country enforced a nationwide 60-hour general strike, popularly known as 'hartal' in Bangladesh.

The opposition political parties are also planning to enforce a 96-hour general strike from February 22 when municipality election, boycotted by them, will be taking place. Political analysts apprehend more volatile situation in the next month.

Addressing the press conference at the BCB conference room, the cricket boss of Bangladesh also gave details of the Asian Test final beginning in Dhaka March 12 and announced the schedule of a double-leg tri-nation tournament be hosted by Bangladesh on March 19-27.

Saber Chowdhury said holding of the Asian Test final is considered by them as the introduction of test matches among the new generation while Bangladesh is pursuing to become the 10th member of the Test-family.

The BCB president said: Price of the tickets is yet to be decided. But there will be special concession for school boys to bring the new generation into the ground to enable them to watch a Test match.

"It's a historic event. Someday the World Test Championship will come that the ICC President Jagmohan Dalmiya is dreaming of following the path of Asian Test Championship," said a delighted Saber Chowdhury, who was flanked by BCB general secretary Syed Ashraful Haq.

Haq said the pitch at the Bangabandhu National Stadium, the venue of the Asian Test final, would be very competitive. He ruled out any possibility that the pitch would crack on the third day as predicted by experts.

The BCB president, Saber Chowdhury was also quite optimistic about the Triangular Cricket Tournament of which all the matches will be day-night like the Wills International Cup held successfully last October at the same venue of Bangabandhu National Stadium.

He said: "It'll help our boys who are now in camp at the BKSP under coach Gordon Greenidge to prepare for the World Cup ... the state of their preparation since confirming in 1997 their maiden berth to the World Cup can be realised only after the camp is over."

In the tournament opener, Test-babes Zimbabwe will take on Kenya - granted one-day status along with Bangladesh - on March 19. The following day (March 20), host Bangladesh will play against Kenya while they take on Zimbabwe on March 21.

In the second phase, Zimbabwe and Kenya encounter on March 23, Bangladesh and Kenya on March 24, and Zimbabwe and Bangladesh on March 25. After a rest day on March 26, the best two sides play the final on March 27.

"The tournament will not be live telecast abroad. But highlights will be shown. And at home, we're talking with BTV and Bangladesh Betar for live telecast/broadcast of all the matches," the BCB president said.

Source :: CricInfo365