Bangladesh League in controversy (2 December 1998)
Bangladesh's Premier Division Cricket League will begin on December 7 in the capital Dhaka amidst a controversy whether the 80-over matches will be effective or not ahead of the 1999 World Cup in England
02-Dec-1998
2 December 1998
Bangladesh League in controversy
by Zahid Newaz in Dhaka
Bangladesh's Premier Division Cricket League will begin on December 7
in the capital Dhaka amidst a controversy whether the 80-over matches
will be effective or not ahead of the 1999 World Cup in England.
Twelve teams will participate in the league matches spreading over two
days in different venues of the capital.
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has decided to hold the league matches
for 80-over each side instead of traditional 50-over to enable the
players to be habituated in playing two or three days matches as it
has applied for Test status.
But many former cricketers opined that the decision will not be
effective at the time when Bangladesh, being the International Cricket
Council (ICC) Trophy holder, are taking preparations for the next
world cup that will be 50-over one-day matches.
In last few days, the former cricketers talking to local newspapers,
argued that the two-day league matches will destroy the one-day spirit
of the players that might seriously hamper the preparations for the
world cup.
However, the BCB officials have said the national cricketers will get
enough time to be prepared for the world cup by taking part in
conditioning camp and playing a number of one-day matches as they will
be relieved from the league after the month of January.
Earlier, the BCB had announced that the national players will not be
able to take part in the Premier Division League, named after local
Bangla daily Janakantha, as they will be in training camp under coach
Gordon Greenidge, for the England world cup.
But the BCB was compelled to retreat from the decision amidst protest
from Cricket Committee for Dhaka Metropolis that will coordinate the
Janakantha Premier Division Cricket League.
In the inaugural match (Dec. 7, 8), Holders Abahani Limited will take
on Orient SC at the Dhanmondi Cricket Stadium. On the same days
Brothers Union meet Sadharan Bima at the BKSP ground and Kalabagan KC
play against Victoria SC at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.
Source :: CricInfo365