Today's semi-final to be a close affair (30 October 1998)

30 October 1998

Today's semi-final to be a close affair

By Hasan Saeed

DHAKA, Oct 29: Captain cool Arjuna Ranatunga expects a very competitive and tough match against South Africa thrilling encounter at flood-lit Bangabandhu National Stadium tomorrow (Friday). "Our boys are very confident to win the match and play the final of the first knock out world cup," the Lankan skipper told newsmen after a practice session at BUET ground here today.

Ranatunga, whose captain's knock and man of the match batting performance steered his team to eliminate New Zealand in the quarter final, called their semi-final opponent South Africa a "very strong and professional side."

Asked about a dependable score to win a match in Bangabandhu Stadium, specially when they are going to face formidable Africans, he said no score is dependable here.

When a mighty 300 is not dependable, 250 might be a dependable score in this ground, he said adding "It all depends on bowling, fielding and other conditions of the match."

About the ground and wicket condition of the stadium, the venue for the first ever knock-out world cup, Ranatunga said the field and pitch are nice for one-day cricket. "But I don't know what will happen in test matches."

The Lankan skipper, who has the experience of playing league matches in Dhaka along with swashbuckling batsman Joysuria, said the field of the stadium has improved a lot and is now perfect for ODI. He also highly praised the local crowd saying they don't support Sri Lanka, they rather support good cricket and "it's a very good sign for development of cricket in Bangladesh."

In this respect, the world cup champions captain said Bangladesh has improved a lot in last three years specially under the guidance of Gordon Greenidge of West Indies.

Source :: Dawn (https://dawn.com/)