Bangladesh set to make history

By Vijay Lokapally

DHAKA, NOV 8. The result does not matter really. Bangladesh will be pleased to last five days but the occasion holds the imagination of this cricket- crazy nation as the home team makes history on Friday by becoming the tenth Test-playing country. The home team has India as the opposition to mark the arrival of a great day in the history of Bangladesh sports.

The ambitions are modest. ``A draw would be very good'' gushes skipper Naimur Rehman. He is aware of the strength of his lads and those of the Indians. ``A victory would be great'' the Bangladesh skipper whispers. Well, the desire is there. If only it could be translated into a reality.

In Bangladesh, the five days marking the country's inaugural Test have been set aside for some grand celebration. And why not. The craze for cricket is phenomenal and a commemorative stamp will be brought to mark the occasion.

On Wednesday, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), in a thoughtful gesture, honoured eight past captains along with Naimur Rehman. The BCB did not forget those who toiled to bring the honour and every official and player associated with cricket was acknowledged for their efforts.

The eight past captains honoured were Shamim Kabir, Shaiq ul Haq, Rouqib ul Hasan, Qazi Ashraf Hussain, Binhazul Abedin, Aminul Islam, Faroukh Ahmad and Akram Khan. The services of these eight cricketers will now be utilised for the development programme chalked out by the BCB.

Among the programmes listed on all the five days of the Test match, Naimur Rehman and Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly will inaugurate the polio eradication drive initiated by the UNICEF. The BCB was keen to utilise the event to highlight the importance of giving polio drops to infants.

Overall there is a sense of achievement among the cricketing fraternity. The sale of tickets commenced on Tuesday and the response has been reportedly quite encouraging. The Bangladeshis are excited at the thought of being termed a Test nation and have already lined up two assignments for next year against Zimbabwe in April and New Zealand in December.

The Indians, arriving here on Tuesday, had light `nets' and were joined by Yuveraj Singh, who had stayed back since his passport had been sent to the wrong destination.

The venue has been decked up with a sporting pitch beckoning Bangladesh to give its best. Ranging from the man on the street to those closely associated with the game, Friday will be one memorable day. There may be problems galore in daily life, but cricket holds a special place in the heart of the sportsloving Bangladeshis. The organisers expect a full house on the opening day.

Ganguly retained captain

INDORE, NOV. 8. Sourav Ganguly will stay as the Indian skipper for the entire series (Test & one-dayers) against Zimbabwe. Announcing this to the presspersons here on Wednesday, Mr. Jayawant Lele, secretary, Board of Control for Cricket in India, said the team for the first Test would be picked in New Delhi on November 14.

Henceforth, the Indian captain would be named only on a series to series basis, he added.

The BCCI secretary said the Government's reaction regarding the tour of Pakistan would be known only by November 15 and the BCCI would proceed accordingly.

Mr. Lele also noted that Geoff Marsh, if chosen, would not be a consultant for the Indian team and would only perform the role for the National Cricket Academy, besides contributing in the restructuring of the domestic circuit.

The Chairman of the National selection panel, Mr. Chandu Borde, present on the occasion, observed there was a lot of promise in the NCA boys and stressed on the importance of them being groomed in a proper manner.

Coming to the Indian team, he said the search was on for a quality all-rounder and a wicket-taking off-spinner. On the topic of wicketkeepers, Mr. Borde revealed Saba Karim was picked for the forthcoming Test against Bangladesh because skipper Sourav Ganguly was keen on his selection.

- Our Sports Reporter

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