News and Views

With the inaugural test match between Bangladesh and India, which started at Dhaka on Friday November 10, 2000, Bangladesh became the 10th members of the elite club of nations that play test cricket. The salient features were, the use of a gold coin specially minted for the purpose, the presence of Prime Minister Ms Hasina Wajed on the auspicious occasion and an excellent performance given by a raw Bangladesh cricket team in the match. While all the three features deserve a place in the annals of cricket, the event as a whole shall serve as a historical landmark for the country.

By organizing with commendable skill and efficiency the tournaments like the 9 Nation ICC Knock Out, Asia Cup and some others, Bangladesh impressed the ICC and other member countries with its high organizing ability. As a result it secured the ICC's nod for the grant of a test status about 5 months ago. Although Bangladesh's ability to host foreign teams and organize international matches was established, some doubts lurked about the overall strength of its cricket team. Apart from a disastrous 4- match tour of South Africa, they were eliminated in the early rounds of the last ICC Knock Out Tournament held at Nairobi. Performing well in a test match thus became essential to prove their prowess in the field of play.

With a quick recovery from the shock of defeats they prepared hard to face India in its 1st Test and performed remarkably well. Notwithstanding a 9 wickets defeat at the hands of a superior team, scoring 400 runs in the 1st innings is by all standards a significant achievement. While Bangladesh deserves felicitations for joining the comity of distinguished test playing nations, former skipper Amin ul Islam deserves appreciation for becoming only the 3rd player to score a century on his country's test debut.

A news report that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) may get permission from the federal government to send its team to Pakistan next month, has given a ray of hope for the revival of cricket relations between the two neighboring countries. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is anxiously awaiting the Indian response before inviting some other teams to fill in the gap likely to occur in its best cricket season on account of India's betrayal.

The change of heart in respect of the Indian Sports Ministry officials, if it comes, will be as a result of the ICC's special request to the BCCI to honor its commitment. The cancellation of the tour will not only adversely affect the promotion of cricket in Asia but will also disappoint millions of cricket lovers in the region who are eagerly waiting for witnessing the series alive or on the television. The enthusiasm shown by the Pakistani crowds to see the England team in action can easily serve as a yardstick to judge their level of anxiety and keenness to witness the Indians. Let us hope the good sense prevails among the Indian Sports Ministry bosses and they do not dash the aspirations of cricket fans to ground.

Jeffrey Dujon a distinguished wicket-keeper of his times who is acting as Deputy Coach of the West Indies Team presently touring Australia complains that the host countries do not provide enough practice matches to the touring sides. He is absolutely right. With the advent of commercialism in cricket, the side matches hardly find a place in the tour itineraries. Since these matches do not attract crowds the policy saves the host cricket board from a financial loss but at the same time it deprives the visiting team of much needed practice and acclimatization.

I wish Dujon watches on television or reads all about the England-Pakistan series in progress. He will be delighted to find that the PCB was so generous with the England team that it provided the visitors 2 one day practice matches before the 1st ODI at Karachi . The pattern is followed throughout the series. While the 3rd ODI was held at Rawalpindi on October 30, the 1st test is starting on November 15. During the two weeks of leisure time the England team played only two 4 day practice matches. In this era of hectic cricket all over the world, no country can afford to offer the visitors such an easy and relaxing itinerary. Well done PCB.