Wills Cup Snippets (22 October 1998)
The New Zealand team had a day-off yesterday
22-Oct-1998
22 October 1998
Wills Cup Snippets
Al-Amin & Rabeed Imam
The New Zealand team had a day-off yesterday. The Black Caps who
arrived in the city on Tuesday night, were scheduled to practice at
the Bangabandhu National Stadium in the evening. But to the sheer
disappointment of hundreds of fans, they never turned up at the venue
foolwing a last minute change in plans. The hosts BCB, obviously
concerned with the soggy ground of the stadium, has discouraged the
New Zealanders to have a feel of the main venue. Instead, New Zealand
were offered a better deal - a practice match against Bangladesh at
the BKSP today.
Brief encounter with Bucknor
The curious on-lookers standing at the belcony of the BCB office were
bewitched when somone shouted" Holding is here, Holding is here! ".
As everyone turned to have a glimpse of the famous West Indies fast
bowler, out came the door another renowned Jamaican - umpire Steve
Bucknor.
The well-built Bucknor, whose delays in raising the dreaded finger has
become a trademark, however spared hardly any time to have a look
around the National Stadium after arriving in the city yesterday.
"I have come in late today. I've not yet been anywhere except this
place, said Bucknor.
"This is my first visit to Bangladesh. So far I'm satisfied. I think
we are going to have a great tournament provided the rain stays away.
The lights here is great. I think it's going to make the cricket
wonderful", added Bucknor after inspecting the ground.
Advantage Dhaka Lights
A large number of journalists from neighbouring India are already in
the city to cover the 10-day maga event involving the nine Test
playing nations. The pressmen, mostly from Calcutta, were busy
completing the formalities at the BCB office.
A few of the Indians who were having animated discussions with the BCB
secretary Syed Asraful Haque kept on admiring the new look National
Stadium." The lights are fabulous", remarked one Calcutta-based
journalist.
"Even Better than the lights you have at the Eden Gardens", quipped a
witty Ashraful.
Advisory Committee committed
The Parliamentary Advisory Committee headed by Communication Minister
Mohammed Nasim meet for the first time at the BCB office yesterday.
The meeting, also attended by the lone representative from main
opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Major (Retd.) Hafizuddin
BB, discussed matterss relating to a smooth holding of the tournament.
"I do not know whether they will call off tomorrows hartal, but we
have requested the BNP and it's allies to withdraw the half-day
strike.Now its up to them," said Nasim after the meeting.
"We came to the conclusion that agitation programmes should be
avoided during the tournament and Mr. Hafiz gave his full-hearted
support to this cause", said Nasim.
Replying to a querry Nasim said" They ( Sadeq Hossain, the city BNP
president, and Saifur Rahman, former finance minister) had important
commitments. But they have sent messages assuring their concent to any
committee decisions".
"This is a unique occassion. Bangladesh is proud to host an event of
this magnitude. We have a duty to the cricket loving millions
irrespective of diverse affiliations. We the committee members are
committed in a successful holding of the meet", added Nasim
The meeting was also attended by city Mayor Mohammed Hanif, State
Minister for Youth, Sports and Cultural Affairs Obaidul Quader, State
Minister for Information Abu Sayeed and BCB president Saber Hossain
Chowdhury.
World Champs, Proteas due today
Sri Lanka and South Africa will arrive in the town today to take part
in the Wills International Cup.
World champions Sri Lanka will fly in the city at 12.50 p.m. while the
'Proteas' arrive at the Zia International Airport (ZIA) at 10.25 p.m.
Earlier, England, Zimbabwe and New Zealand, three of the nine nations
who will take part in the knock-out tournament, reached the city.
The Trophy has landed
The Wills International Cup reached the capital yesterday. The trophy,
designed by Arun Pabuwal, will be officially handed over to the hosts
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) tomorrow at 4 p.m.
BCB president Saber Hossain Chowdhury is scheduled to receive the six
kg glittering piece of trophy from a representative of Indian Tobacco
Company (ITC), the title sponsor of the meet.
The theme song of the tournament, rendered by country's renowned
crooners Shakila Zafar and Shuvro Dev, will also be presented during
the hand-over ceremony at the BCB office.
Source:: The Bangladesh Daily Star (https://www.dailystarnews.com)