Dhaka : Mustafa Kamal, chief of Bangladesh Cricket Association (BCB), is to meet ICC chief Sharad Pawar to formally stake claim to Asia Number 1 status for Bangladesh. Speaking to reporters in Dhaka, he said, “See how our boys are playing. India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka have no answers.” The move reportedly has the support of Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh’s prime minister.
“Tamim Iqbal, Shakib Al Hasan, and Nazmul Hossain who have performed consistently need to be part of ICC rankings. Bangladesh needs a representation in the ICC executive committee,” demanded Mustafa Kamal.
Cricket fans in Bangladesh are as ecstatic. “We can’t be called minnows,” a die-hard fan of the Bangladesh cricket team said. “We no longer score an upset win occasionally. We play to win,” said another. “Dhaka is no longer a small venue. It’s a run-giving mine. How many venues can boast of consecutive 250 plus scores?” asked the angry groundsman in Dhaka. “If any country desires to score 450 runs in 50 overs, they need to come to Dhaka.”
The ICC has gone into a huddle, taken aback by Mustafa Kamal’s remarks. A meeting is likely in Dubai to discuss the matter.
A senior BCCI official told Tenali Rama Reports that Bangladesh should learn lessons in modesty from India, which despite being world champions has lost Test series to Australia and England and one-dayers in Australia and Bangladesh.
“Do we fret and fume like Mr Kamal is doing now? We look at the big picture. And for us, the big picture is the IPL. With players from so many countries, IPL is true international cricket,” the official added.
Meanwhile, Mahela Jayawardane who wished Bangladesh well in the finals will be awarded Sher-e-Bangla, the cricketing nation’s first sportsmanship award. “He is a true lion like in the Sri Lankan flag,” commented a member of the the Sher-e-Bangla committee. However, India has raised doubts if the Lankan defeat was connected the Indian government’s decision to vote against Sri Lanka on the Tamils issue.
(Contributed by Venkatesh Krishnamoorthy)
Pic courtesy : funatoz.com
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