Dream before wicket crushed by leg-before-wicket (18 May 1999)
Four lbw decisions at Chelmsford Monday smashed the dreams of millions of a glorious debut by Bangladesh in the World Cup
18-May-1999
18 May 1999
Dream before wicket crushed by leg-before-wicket
CricInfo365
Zahid Newaz reports from Dhaka after Bangladesh's historic World
Cup opener
Four lbw decisions at Chelmsford Monday smashed the dreams of millions
of a glorious debut by Bangladesh in the World Cup. New Zealand easily
won over child "Bengal Tigers" with a six-wicket win to begin their
World Cup campaign sending Bangladeshis into a deep frustration.
The victims of lbw included two openers Shahriar Hossain Bidyut and
Mehrab Hossain Opee, middle-order batsman Naimur Rahman Durjoy and
hard-hitter Mohammad Rafique.
Like any other blind supporter, many cricket fans argued the lbw
decisions. As they didn't want to see Bangladesh's batsmen returning
pavilion with low scores, they also don't want to accept the lbws.
The reason of their non-acceptance of the decisions is simple -- the
local spectators are not habituated to watch their star players being
lbw. In fact, it is a rare incident in domestic leagues or tournaments
that the big names for Bangladesh, who play for major clubs, are
returning pavilion after being out in that way.
No local umpire has that courage to announce a star player lbw as the
decision may make fanatic supporters violent and also the club
officials. In that way, although a national player in league or
tournament becomes lbw twice or thrice, he leaves the ground after
being bowled or caught. Apparently, it helps the clubs in domestic
battles, but ultimately damages the career of a player.
And it was proved in the first appearance of Bangladesh in the World
Cup.
A win of Bangladesh would bring people on streets in the midnight in
Dhaka. However, the whole nation welcomed their World Cup debut
against test elite New Zealand with much enthusiasm at home and
abroad.
Most of the educational institutions in the capital and elsewhere in
the country declared half-holiday Monday to mark the beginning of the
muchawaited World Cup campaign of the ICC champions.
Several hundred students of Dhaka University, the highest educational
institution in the country, brought out processions on the campus
wishing the success of Bangladesh in the mega cricketing event.
"Good Luck Bangladesh," chanted the processionists who carried
national flags, colourful banners, posters of players and festoons and
beat metal plates and bowls.
Most offices and business houses ceased work and the usually heavy
traffic jam on the metropolitan roads were absent as the cricket crazy
fans rushed to nearby TV sets to watch the match. Those who couldn't
return home, kept their ears on radio.
Some cricket fans, including even minor schoolboys and girls, were
fasting seeking divine blessings for the success of Bangladesh in the
World Cup.
Power development Board and Dhaka Electricity Supply Authorities made
all possible arrangements to keep power supply uninterrupted during
the Bangladesh's match. No news of any major power collapse was
received.
Source :: CricInfo365