Greenidge may be dropped ahead of today's tie (31 May 1999)

31 May 1999

Greenidge may be dropped ahead of today's tie

Nizamuddin Ahmed

LONDON, May 30: Gordon Greenidge will be informed later this evening by an official letter, in all probability signed by manager Tanveer Muzhar Islam, that the West Indian has been dropped from Bangla-desh's World Cup squad.

BCB president Saber Hossain Chowdhury will reach Northampton later today to finalise the matter, according to sources close to the Bangladesh team, now camped in Northampton to face Pakistan tomorrow in the last match of the group stage.

If such a letter is delivered to the West Indian coach of Bangladesh, employed by BCB since October 1996 as Director of Coaching, it will be the end of a bumpy road.

Although the legendary batsman was received with popular applause on his induction as the Bangladesh coach, his stay with the team has not been a smooth affair.

Whether this will mean the end of his tenure as the Director of Coaching, a contract that terminates next month, will be a decision that the BCB will take after the World Cup.

So adverse was the relationship between Greenidge and the board that there had been speculation even before he left for England with the World Cup squad that he may not return to Dhaka.

It was not immediately clear who would replace Gordon, if at all, for the match against Pakistan.

In addition to the Greenidge drama, there may be some fireworks when the team for tomorrow's match is announced later tonight. However, contrary to earlier reports, Aminul Islam in all likelihood will retain his place in the eleven in spite of his lacklustre performance in the last four matches.

"But, there could still be major changes," confided one selector. Under fire are Aminul Islam, Akram Khan, Faruque Ahmed and vice-captain Khaled Mahmud.

Hasibul Hossain may have to rest tomorrow to find a place for as-yet uncapped Shafiuddin Ahmed. Neeyamur Rashid is also likely to get the nod in his place.

Rain forced Bangladesh indoors today and the team did not have its usual practice session. Rain also forced yesterday's England-India to this morning. A similar fate could await Bangladesh and Pakistan. In case of wet weather the match will move on to Tuesday, failing which the teams will earn a point each.

There was no fitness problem in the Bangladesh team. Contrary to press reports, Minhazul Abedin was not 'sick'. He was running a very light fever on the day of the match against Australia. He was cleared fit and performed commendably with an unbeaten fifty.

Bangladesh will bat first against Pakistan if given the choice. Bangladesh played against Northampton in an official warm-match in mid-May on the very ground they will meet Pakistan tomorrow. The teams had then scored five hundred runs, which would suggest this was a batting track.

Source :: The Bangladesh Daily Star (https://www.dailystarnews.com)