Bangladesh Prime Minister's wish (27 May 1999)

27 May 1999

Bangladesh Prime Minister's wish

Zahid Newaz in Dhaka

With two matches remaining for Bangladesh in the World Cup, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina wished 'Bengal Tigers' another win in the global cricket summit.

"We're satisfied that our boys won one match. Another win will be a great plus," said a happy Hasina, a great sports fan, holding out all state cooperation for the country's World Cup squad.

Addressing the annual conference of Dhaka Union of Journalists' in Dhaka Wednesday, she urged the cricketers to show their best on all fronts of the arena - bowling, batting and fielding.

The appeal by the Prime Minister came a day ahead of Bangladesh's encounter with Australia at Durham Thursday and their last group match against Pakistan at Northampton on May 31.

With three wins, Pakistan already has confirmed their berth among the super-six, the second round in a new format. The ratings of cricketing major Australia and Bangladesh are on a par-both having 2 points from one win each so far.

About Bangladesh's frustrating performance in first two matches, the Prime Minister made a good humour: "I couldn't watch the games till end as I apprehended that my heart would fail."

"The entire nation is with you. Our good wishes will always be with you," she exhorted the cricketers who had met with her before flying on their World Cup mission on April 14.

The same day two years back, Hasina accorded a reception to the victorious team who returned home on that shiny morning clinching the ICC Trophy and confirming their maiden World Cup berth.

Sheikh Hasina, who watched Bangladesh's historic win against Scotland on television on May 24, made a telephone call to skipper Aminul Islam Bulbul as soon as the match was over. She also talked to Bulbul by telephone during the meal break in Bangladesh-West Indies match on May 21 and reached her eagerness for their good showing in the most prestigious cricketing carnival.

Ahead of Bangladesh's debut in the World Cup, the PM had announced cash award of Tk 50,000 each (approx $ US 1030) for a win. But immediately after the first win, the Prime Minister herself doubled the bounty figure.

There is also announcement of similar cash awards by her for any subsequent win in the remaining two matches against Australia on May 27 and Pakistan on May 31.

According to the PM's offer, a batsman will also get Tk 100,000 (approx $ US 2055) for a century while a bowler as much for taking four wickets in a single match.

Source :: CricInfo365