Bangladesh prepares for World Cup debut (19 February 1999)

19 February 1999

Bangladesh prepares for World Cup debut

Zahid Newaz in Dhaka

As countdown to the World Cup carnival began and the national players are in a conditioning camp, Bangladesh's cricket chief said preparations were on in earnest for its debut.

"We are optimistic that our boys in their first appearance in the World Cup will hit the goal that they and the entire nation dreamt of," said Saber Hossain Chowdhury, the Bangladesh Cricket Board president.

"Despite an adverse climate for us in England during the biggest cricket carnival, we hope Bangladesh boys in the World Cup will be able to beat Scotland whom they had defeated earlier," he told CricInfo.

Besides, the BCB president, who introduced many a new steps for development of cricketing, said the country could also dream of an upset by beating a Test-playing team like Kenya did in last World Cup.

But, he observed, England's weather and pitches would be new to the debutants who had had only one visit there in the recent years. "Scotland has no such problem. Players of other countries are also habituated to playing in England."

According to him, for World Cup Bangladesh will take preparation at different stages: taking part in conditioning camp at BKSP, Tri-nation Tourney in Dhaka, Wills Trophy in Pakistan and official and unofficial matches in England.

The camp will be continuing until Bangladesh boys leave for Pakistan in mid- April. In the meantime, the Triangular Tournament, comprising Test-babes Zimbabwe and One-day debutants Kenya and Bangladesh would be held in Dhaka March 19-27.

"We opted for Kenya as it got ODI status at the same time with us. Their standard is also similar to Bangladesh. Zimbabwe is the latest full member of the ICC," said Saber Chowdhury, also a deputy minister of the government.

He informed that Essex would be the host County for Bangladesh after they reached England for the World Cup. Bangladesh boys will play three official matches against the County teams, apart from some unofficial matches.

"There is also a sizeable number of Bangladesh expatriates in Chelmsford where the cricketers will be staying. The presence of expatriates in the practice matches will also boost players' morale," he added.

Regarding expectation in the World Cup, the BCB president said it (WC) is not the last thing as we are expecting Test status also.

In this regard, Saber said the holding of finals of the Asian Test Championship from March 12 in Dhaka, that witnessed seven Tests in the 50s and 60s, "will be another feather for us as it will prove that we can arrange Test matches".

The Wills Cup held in Dhaka in October last, where all the Test-playing nations took part, was highly appreciated by all full and associate members of the ICC. "Now it is clear to all that our infrastructure is ready for such kinds of cricket."

When his attention was drawn that many criticise the BCB for making Dhaka into a cricket venue like Sharjah, its chief explained that exposure and money are also important things for flourishing a game.

"We have long heritage in cricket. Such big events will bring new talents to cricket," he said.

Despite heritage in cricket like other sub-continental teams - India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka - "why Bangladesh is in the back row?" Saber preferred to blame a lack of vision for it.

"Now we can dream of marching forward. In 1997, we took decision that we'll do our best to achieve Test status during our term. Now we are confident that we are going to get Test status."

In this respect, he also set forth BCB's new plans for further development of cricket that include more coaching for players and umpires, decentralisation, and developing age-group teams across the country.

He informed that five regional cricket associations would be developed in five divisional headquarters and for Dhaka division in Mymensingh district, from many cricket telents were found. They will pull in new talents, groom them an make age-group teams from where national cricketers would come.

The BCB president rated the just concluded two-day 80-over Premier Division Cricket League an important step for Test preparation where players were habituated to playing longer-drawn matches.

Source :: CricInfo365