Four tough matches at Nepal (30 September 1998)

30 September 1998

Four tough matches at Nepal

Sports Reporter

The Bangladesh cricket team leaves Dhaka today to take part in the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Trophy, scheduled to begin in the Nepalese capital of Kathmandu from October 3.

But two members - Mushfiqur Rahman and Sajjad Ahmed, and two officials - manager Enayet Hossain Siraj and assistant coach Sarwar Imran, will not be accommodated in today's flight because of the unavailability of seats. They will, however, join the team on October 2.

Pencilled in group B for the first round robin league along with five other nations in the 12-nation meet, Bangladesh, the reigning champions, will take on Papua New Guinea (PNG) in their first match on the opening day.

Considering the standard of the tournament, the new-look national team will be riding on the mounting expectations of millions of sports lovers of country for whom nothing other than a title triumph will be acceptable.

"My target is to defend the title", said the newly-appointed Bangladesh captain, Aminul Islam, who stepped into the shoes of Akram Khan after the Kuala Lumpur debacle. Bangladesh cricket hit its lowest ebb in recent years in the just-concluded Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games, where they conceded three defeats including a humiliating 114-run thrashing by Northern Ireland.

Owing to the chronic failure of the last 18 months and more immediately because of the Commonwealth debacle, manager-turned coach of the team Gazi Ashraf resigned and the long-standing captain Akram was unceremoniously booted out to usher in a change of sorts.

"I think this is the best possible selection ever made by the national selectors", said a confident Aminul adding that he would do his best to revive the dwindling image of the national team.

"We are trying to forget the horrible memories of Kuala Lumpur. I think the present team is a balanced side and prepared to deliver the goods in Kathmandu", said the dapper all-rounder.

Replying to a query over telephone Aminul said, "I don't think Akram's absence will affect the middle-order". But Aminul agreed that the team will miss an off-spinner in Kathmandu where the wickets are likely to help spinners. The present team is carrying Mohammed Rafique as the lone recognised tweaker.

"It would have been a great help if we had a finger spinner. But we can fill the void with 'leggie' Al-Shahriar and Javed Omar. Besides, I can bowl a bit too", said Aminul.

" I'm expecting a tough opposition from Papua New Guinea (PNG), Fiji, Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates (UAE)", said Aminul adding that he is looking forward to start his career as captain on the right foot.

"It (captaincy) was expected and I'm happy to get the job as captain", said Aminul discussing his appointment.

Bangladesh will meet Malaysia in their second match on October 4 while their next match against Maldives is billed for October 6.

The last two matches against Brunei and Singapore is scheduled on October 7 and 9.

Meanwhile, the national team called on State Minister for Youth and Sports Obaidul Quader yesterday evening. BCB president Saber Hossain Chowdhury and other officials were also present.

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