21 October 1998
Wills International Cup Countdown
By Zahid Newaz in Dhaka
Mad rush for Wills Cup tickets
Only about one-fifth of the tickets for Wills International Cup
Cricket now remains to be sold as cricket lovers in a mad rush grabbed
the prized entry passes on the very first day of sale on Tuesday.
"IFIC Bank confirmed that around 80 per cent tickets were sold in
first five hours of sale," said Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB)
President and Deputy Minister for Shipping Saber Hossain Chowdhury.
Quoting bank officials, he said people's demand was very high for
tickets of the matches involving the sub-continental teams of India,
Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
Bank officials said a comparatively less demand was seen for the
inaugural match between New Zealand and Zimbabwe on October 24 and a
quarter final between England and South Africa the following day.
The ticket sale on the first day was also marked by damaged
window-panes following pelting of stones on the IFIC Bank's Federation
branch at business hub Motijheel, where only VIP tickets were sold.
Many dejected cricket fans returned without ticket.
As they didn't want to miss the cricket carnival that will feature all
the nine-test playing nations, people thronged different branches of
the IFIC Bank in the capital. Since early morning, they waited in long
queues for the start of the grand sale of ticket at 9 am.
Many of them were seen returning with deep frustration when the day's
ticket sale closed at 2 pm with thousands of others still waiting in
queues for entry passes to the country's biggest cricketing show.
"I'm deeply frustrated ... I waited in the line for four hours. But the
ticket sale was over before I reached the counter," said Dipak who had
come to Malibagh branch of IFIC for tickets of India-Australia and
Pakistan-West Indies.
Dipak, however, does not want to think that all is yet over. "I'll
come again tomorrow," said the 28-year-old textile engineer who works
in a private organisation.
After Tuesday's experience of people's demand for the Wills Cup
tickets, the BCB President said they would consider introducing the
lottery-system, followed in World Cup, for any such tournament in
future.
ICC enquires about Dhaka situation
International Cricket Council (ICC), the organiser of the Wills
International Cup, has enquired about the situation in Dhaka in view
of the opposition's hartal (general hartal) on October 22.
The ICC made the queries to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to let
them know whether the prevailing political situation will create any
problem in holding the tournament.
BCB President and Deputy Minister for Shipping Saber Hossain Chowdhury
told sports reporters Tuesday that the ICC is a bit concerned about
the situation, but at this stage they've no alternative than to hold
the tourney as scheduled from October 24.
The BCB president, however, hoped that the opposition would call off
their Thursday's hartal for smooth holding of the Wills Cup.
Meanwhile, a parliamentary standing committee on Youth and Sports
Ministry comprising members from the ruling and opposition parties
Tuesday unanimously decided that there will be no programme of
political agitation during the tournament.
After the meeting, the Committee members visited the games venue at
Bangabandhu National Stadium to see the preparation of the 9-nation
Wills Cup.
The BCB president said "We earned the rare honour of hosting the
prestigious tournament after giving an assurance to the ICC of stable
political situation during the highly rated tourney as well as of some
infrastructure development needed for it."
He said ICC chief Jagmohon Dalmiya met with the government and
opposition leaders in Dhaka a few months back and both the sides
agreed to extend their full support to host the tournament in Dhaka.
Weather Experts hope rain will not affect Wills Cup
Despite the current cloudy weather, experts are optimistic that rain
would not affect the Wills International Cup "Monsoon is over. Light
to moderate rainfall is taking place due to a low, but its impact may
be over before the inauguration of the tournament," said Met Office
Director Ershad Hossain.
He said a low that developed in the Bay was staying in the adjoining
areas of West Bengal and Orissa after proceeding towards north-west.
It will move north-east and may cross over northern parts of the
country.
"Since the low will start to move north-east, it will start to become
weaker as wind is strong. It means that rainfall will stop before the
Wills Cup begins October 24," said the Met Director.
He informed that there is no sign of low in the Bay that could cause
rainfall in the country, including capital Dhaka. "Climate history
indicates very light rainfall towards the end of October, but it
should not hamper the tournament," he said.
Met Office forecast the wind speed in the last week of October to be
7-10 kilometre in Dhaka in the evening when the day-night matches will
be going on. However, wind speed in the morning will be 3-5 km.
Quoting weather experts, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President and
Deputy Minister for Shipping Saber Hossain Chowdhury also hoped there
will be no disruption because of rainfall.
International Cricket Council (ICC) has already announced that the
bowls-off system of tie-breaking will be followed if any match of the
tournament is abandoned for rain or any other reason.
Event Manager Asif Iqbal informed that for the tie-breaking, five
bowlers from each side will bowl twice to empty wickets. And sudden
death will apply if the match still remains tied after the
20-delivery, he said.
Source:: The Bangladesh Daily Star (https://www.dailystarnews.com)