Bangladesh seeks India's help

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, MAY 12. Bangladesh has sought India's support in its campaign for gaining Test status.

It is widely believed that the International Cricket Council (ICC) is set to grant the Test status to Bangladesh at its meeting in London in June.

Bangladesh and Kenya are the two teams other than the nine Test- playing nations which enjoy the official status in one- day Internationals. For quite some time Bangladesh has been seeking Test status even though it is understood that a majority of the ICC members are not in favour of such a move.

The Bangladesh Minister of Sports and Culture, Mr. Abaidul Quader and the Bangladesh Cricket Control Board (BCCB) Secretary, Mr. Ashraf-ul-Haq made a visit to the Sports Ministry on Friday to seek support from the Indians.

The Bangladesh officials met the Minister of State for Sports, Mr. Chaoba Singh to apprise him of their expectations from the Indians. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretary, Mr. J.Y. Lele was also present at the meeting.

Bangladesh, which made its first World Cup appearance in England last year, has supported its case by a list of feats which includes winning the ICC Trophy in Kuala Lumpur in 1998 and organising the ICC mini World Cup at Dhaka the same year.

Expectedly, the BCCI has extended all help with Mr. Lele pointing out India's support to Bangladesh in the past too. The reassurance by Mr. Lele was received well by Mr. Quader and Mr. Haq.

Mr. Quader highlighted the growing popularity of the game in Bangladesh and the improved infrastructure. Cricket was the number one sport in Bangladesh, Mr. Quader is said to have told his Indian counterpart to strengthen his country's case.

Cricket being played even in paddy fields of Bangladesh is known to many, but it was a revelation of sorts that the authorities are engaged in the construction of two more cricket grounds in Dhaka. If Mr. Quader is to be believed, Dhaka would have three stadiums to meet the demands of the cricketers.

The Bangladesh officials also highlighted the popular inter- school league and club structure in Dhaka to press their claims about cricket having a wide following in the country.

The Bangladesh officials recalled the epic win of their team over Pakistan in the last World Cup to portray the progress made in the last couple of years. The infrastructure being developed and the standard of the local league were cited as the strong points for Bangladesh's claim.

The only sore point, as many ICC countries had observed, was the absence of a national three-day competition in order to prepare the team for Test cricket.

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Section  : Sport
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