Bangladesh-Malaysia ACC match today (5 October 1998)

5 October 1998

Bangladesh-Malaysia ACC match today

From Al-Amin

Kathmandu, Oct 4: Reigning champions Bangladesh will take on Malaysia in their second group A match of the Pepsi second ACC trophy on the second strip of Institute of Engineers in Kathmandu, Nepal, tomorrow morning.

Weather permitting, the match will start at 9 am BST.

In the day's other matches, Papua New Guinea (PNG) will meet Singapore in another group A clash on the first ground of the Institute of Engineers, United Arab Emirates (UAE) will take on Thailand in a group B match at the Saint Xavier School ground. The other match of the day of group B will be held between Hong Kong and Japan at the Tribhuvan University ground.

Bangladesh's new skipper Aminul Islam is eager to take the field so is the manager Enayet Hossain Siraj. But the weather pundits forecast more rain in Kathmandu tomorrow.

"I'm eager to toss as a full-fledged captain," said the dark and dapper captain to The Daily Star at Hotel Soaltee tonight.

"This is a frustrating experience. We are here to play cricket. But the weather is not friendly. The wicket is under-prepared. Even the organisers have no protective equipment to save the ground from even a slight drizzle. The environment is totally different here," said a dejected Aminul.

"But the players are ready to take the field and they are in real good mood," Aminul added.

The national team had a practise session at the Institute of Engineers ground in the afternoon. Aminul and his company, however, spent the morning watching the Malaysia-Maldives match.

"There is nothing special in the two teams," said Aminul. But manager Siraj came up with a different frame of mind.

"It's true that they do not have quality players. But I can tell you they are spirited teams. Specially, the way an unheralded Maldives fielded with their limited resources in today's match against Malaysia it was a treat to watch," said Siraj.

Former Bangladesh skipper and middle-order batsman Faruque Ahmed is likely to miss tomorrow's match against Malaysia as he is suffering from diarrhoea. Although, the team management is concerned about him, Faruque was confident about playing in tomorrow's match.

"I'm all right. I'm fit to play," said Faruque while preparing saline at his room today.

Bangladesh was forced to split points with PNG in their opening match which was washed out due to rain on Saturday, the inaugural day of the ten-nation meet. Three other matches scheduled on the opening day were also washed out.

Malaysia defeated Maldives in a rain-affected group A match yesterday.

Batting first, Malaysia were all out for 156 in 44 overs while Maldives reached 69 for four in 26 overs when rain stopped the match. Malaysia were declared winners on their superior run-rate.

The day's other match between hosts Nepal and Thailand could not be held due to rain and both teams earned one point each.

Source:: The Bangladesh Daily Star (https://www.dailystarnews.com)