BCB president pushes Test status claims on South African visit

Bangladesh has intensified its campaign to achieve test status with visit by State Minister for Sports Obaidul Quader and Cricket Board President Saber Hossain Chowdhury to South Africa this week.

"The United Cricket Board of South Africa showed positive gesture to our campaign," said Saber Hossain Chowdhury after returning home Thursday.

Talking to newsmen at BCB office, he said in South Africa they had also meeting with Australian Cricket Board president on Bangladesh's plea for the test status.

"The ACB president invited me to visit Australia during its meeting on May 12. It will be a good opportunity for us to raise the issue to the ACB," said Saber, also Deputy Minister for Local Government.

From Australia, the BCB president will fly to New Zealand to talk to the Kiwis officials on the issue so that Bangladesh could get its support in the ICC meeting in June.

But before that, the BCB president will talk to England Cricket Board during a special meet of the ICC on May 2-3 where the betting and match fixing issue will be discussed after the Cronje row.

Saber and State Minister Obaidul Quader were to fly to Zimbabwe from South Africa. But they had to change the plan following present crisis in Zimbabwe.

"We couldn't go to Zimbabwe. But we had telephonic conversations with the Zimbabwe officials. Their response was also very positive," Saber told CricInfo's correspondent.

He said his another mission to visit South Africa was to discuss development of the cricket-management, including marketing, promotion, academy and also development of new players and umpires.

"We had elaborate discussions with the South African cricket board officials. We are optimistic to reach an agreement with them in a short possible time," said the BCB president.

Saber Hossain Chowdhury further said the BCB will also hold discussions with Australian Cricket Board who are also proved their efficiency on the matters.

ABOUT MATCH FIXING:

Meanwhile, the BCB president has ruled out any possibility of match fixing in the Bangladesh-Pakistan encounter in 1999 world cup.

"I don't believe it," the BCB president said dismissing the suggestion which had been reported in the press.

Saber, however, said nothing can be said on the matter after admission by a player like Cronje. "If it happened, it will be very unfortunate for us and cricket as a whole."

Bangladesh beat giant Pakistan in their last group match in the England world cup, considered to be the most glorious achievement of the country in the sports arena.