Partying at Stakis (26 May 1999)

26 May 1999

Partying at Stakis

Nizamuddin Ahmed

EDINBURGH, May 25: Bangladesh cricketers laid a party at the Stakis Grosvenor last night in celebration of their well-earned victory over Scotland in the World Cup. The impromptu 'do' was attended by BCB president Saber Hossain Chowdhury, other board members present in the city, some resident Bangladeshis and a few journalists covering the World Cup.

Speaking on the occasion the BCB president recalled the supreme sacrifice of thirty lakh shaheeds and added, "We are have today because of the martyrs." He also thanked profusely all the past players, BCB officials and club officials whose "contribution was vastly responsible for what Bangladesh has achieved today".

Skipper Aminul Islam was not short of words on the evening. He specially thanked the band of Bangladeshi supporters who were following the team to different venue.

Stakis got in the mood and hurriedly prepared some light that was as close as they got to Bangladeshi cuisine amid the Scottish delicacies spread on buffet.

Also present at the noisy merry-making was former national cricketer Yousuf Rahman Babu who has been living in the States for over a decade. The master blaster of the yesteryears, who scored Bangladesh's first century in the ICC Trophy, brought a special cap from the USA. Rahman had scored 115 against Papua New Guinea in 1982. At a simple ceremony at the party, Rahman was almost in tears as he proudly presented the cap to Mehrab Hossain. On the cap were written the words: "Historical 101, Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe, March 25 1999."

The Bangladesh team left for Durham this afternoon by coach. They play Australia on May 27.

Mrs. S. Habib is hosting about a dozen Bangladeshi guests at her house. They have all come to watch the match against Scotland. She has been to the game and was yelling her guts out to every success that Bangladesh had. In her salwar-kameez, she looked every bit a Bangladeshi, fanatic at that too. After the match she called her mother on the mobile and shouted, "We have won".

"What do you mean 'we' have won?" asked her literally shocked mother.

For Mrs. Habib is Amy and she is Scottish. Her husband is a Bangladeshi.

The Stakis party last night was special for many reasons, but also because seven of Bangladesh's eight captains were present. Enjoying themselves were Shafiqul Huq Heera, Raquibul Hasan, Gazi Ashraf Hossain, Faruque Ahmed, Minhajul Abedin, Akram Khan and Aminul Islam. Only the first captain Shamim Kabir could not be present.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina congratulated each member of the victorious Bangladesh team over telephone immediately after the win against Scotland on Monday. She talked to the players and thanked them for pulling off their first World Cup win.

The Prime Minister, who follows the game keenly, doubled the prize money for Bangladeshi cricketers after the victory over Scotland.

It was announced earlier that each player would receive Tk 50,000 for every match that Bangladesh won in the World Cup. On Monday, she upped the award to Tk one lakh for each player.

The PM also doubled the prize money for man-of-the-match Minhazul Abedin. He will now receive Tk one lakh for Monday's feat.

Naimur Rahman for his knock against Scotland and Mehrab Hossain for his flair against the West Indies will each receive Tk 50,000, the happy PM made it known over telephone.

Ajmal-ul Hossain, QC, announced in Edinburgh cash awards of 500 pounds for each Bangladesh player for their win against Scotland.

Source :: The Daily Star