Bangladesh cricket's saddest day (24 February 1999)

24 February 1999

Bangladesh cricket's saddest day

Zahid Newaz in Dhaka

If crowd is the pride of Bangladesh cricket, credit goes to Raman Lamba. He was not a Bangladeshi, even not a Bangla-spoken Bengali of Indian province of West Bengal with whom people of this country feel hearty relations for same language. But he was the man who brought thousands of Dhaka people to stadium by his stylish swashbuckling batting. He had become a hero of cricket in Dhaka, and finally wrote his name with the most tragic incident.

It was February 20, 1998. Arch rivals Abahani and Mohammedans were in a crucial league encounter at Bangabandhu National Stadium. Lamba of Abahani was fielding at forward short leg without any helmet. Ball struck at his head following a pull by Mehrab Hossain Opee of Mohammedans. Opee was out, as the ball went to keeper Khaled Masud Pilot's gloves after hitting Lamba's head. Lamba had also to return to pavilion with wounds.

Apparently, it was not a serious injury and he was able to walk. But Abahani physician rushed him to a local clinic. As his condition deteriorated, the following day he was taken to Bangabandhu Medical University Hospital. Despite all efforts, Lamba died clinically the following day.

After his Irish wife, Kim permitted to withdraw life-supporting device, doctors removed the machine and declared him dead on that gloomy afternoon of spring on February 23.

Bangladesh Tuesday recalled the tragic hero on the first anniversary of his death and most sad day of the country's cricket. Paying glowing tributes to him, all major newspapers also brought out special write-ups on Lamba, the New Delhi-based former Indian cricketer, who played local cricket from 1991 to 1998.

Lamba debuted in Dhaka for Abahani in Damal Summer Tournament in 1991. Shortly, his name became a synonym of runs as he had three centuries in several days in that tourney. Thousands of spectators thronged the stadium to witness the run-machine. He continued making runs in the local cricket till his last match for Abahani where he scored 43 with an opening partnership of 114. His team Abahani clinched title in that year, but all celebrations had to be suspended following the tragic end of his life.

There is no official statistics of right-hand Lamba's career in Dhaka. But many could recall his centuries and half centuries for Abahani and GMCC for which he had also played two seasons before he returned to Abahani in 1994- 95.

Born on January 2, 1960 in Meerut and debuted in 1986 for India, his international career, however, doesn't reflect his exact show. He played four Tests for India with total score of 102 and highest 53 against Sri Lanka. His score in 32 ODI is 782 that featured six 50s and one century (102) against Australia. Although it was not possible, Lamba had dreamt of coming back to Indian national side after he in his last season in Ranji Trophy had made 1034 runs (century 3, half century 4, avg 73.86) from 14 innings which is highest individual score in a single season.

Raman Lamba is no more. He will never be seen going to pitch with willow. But he is still alive in cricket and cricket fans of this land. People here still mourn his death, recall his style when a batsman goes for a big hit or make consecutive boundaries that they in local cricket first found in Lamba who was like a son of home.

Source :: CricInfo365