Bangladesh's dream comes true (17 May 1999)
Hours to go
17-May-1999
17 May 1999
Bangladesh's dream comes true
Zahid Newaz in Dhaka
Hours to go. It will be a dream come true. Bangladesh play the World
Cup.
Millions of eyes thousands of miles away from Chelmsford get glued to
television sets Monday when Bangladesh skipper Aminul Islam along with
New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming step onto the County ground for
the toss.
Maybe, the low-rated match is not so important making one for the
prestigious Test-playing nations. Even, not for Bangladesh's rivals
Kiwis, who are confident for super-six of the World Cup.
But this is the moment for what a nation had waited for more than a
decade - a grand occasion for which millions of people carpeted a
single dream altogether.
Bangladesh debut to the highest cricketing show on the
earth. Excitement grips the entire nation.
An upset by Aminul and Co. against Fleming's boys will be a great
plus. But, in all ecstasies, people are satisfied enough only to watch
their countrymen in action. Because, it is the World Cup where only
elite Test nations and top three cricket teams among the ICC-associate
countries could play.
Bangladesh qualified being the champions among the associate members
by clinching the ICC Trophy in Kuala Lumpur in 1997 amid great scenes
of euphoria. The maiden berth to the 1999 World Cup was confirmed when
Bangladesh defeated Scotland in the semi-finals. Then they went on to
Kenya in the nerve-wrecking last-ball deciding final.
The success brought One-day status for Bangladesh along with
runners-up Kenya. And Bangladesh are now the strong contenders for ICC
full member status.
Unlike the last occasion of the ICC, the 1994 event was a
heartbreaking affair for Bangladesh when they reached the second
round, but were eliminated finishing third in their group, behind
Kenya and The Netherlands.
With that elimination also got exterminated Bangladesh's hopes to play
the World Cup although for the first time the ICC had decided to pick
up three associate members in the cricketing extravaganza.
In 1982 and 90 when only one associate member could qualify for the
World Cup, Bangladesh missed the flights as on both occasion they were
defeated in the semi-finals by Zimbabwe, who ultimately attained the
Test status in 1992.
Bangladesh played in their first ICC Trophy in 1979 when they finished
third in their group, behind Denmark and Canada. Bangladesh's 1986
campaign was most disastrous as they won only two of their six group
matches.
But now? Bangladesh, with the ICC crown, is going to make a debut in
the World Cup Monday.
Source :: CricInfo365