Heads held high-II (6 June 1999)

6 June 1999

Heads held high-II

Nizamuddin Ahmed

This interview was taken on June 3 prior to the Bangladesh team's departure from London, Heathrow. Part I appeared on June 5 issue

Akram Khan He was filled with emotion and was 'feeling great' because he was on his way home and with such a big victory. "We are really delighted and very proud," said the former captain, who was accompanied by his wife and baby daughter on the tour.

In the coming days he would try and play better, and produce even better results.

Akram's wife was standing next to him as he said, 'We have many things to match with Pakistan. After beating them, time and again I remembered those martyrs who had laid down their lives in the War of Liberation.""My wife has been a great help on the tour. She and my daughter have always inspired me," he said as they exchanged a smile.

Akram's wife agreed that players have their bad days and added, "On that day (against Pakistan) I knew he would play well."

World Cup stats: Played: 5, Runs: 62, HS: 42, Ave: 12.40

Shahriar Hussain The opening batsman was surrounded by friends.

"I am feeling great, more so because I am going home after being on the tour for two months. I really missed my bhaat and daal", said Shahriar Hossain, who was redrafted as opener against Pakistan to share a record 68-run stand with Mehrab Hossain.

So what did you have all these days?

"Did not like it too much (whatever it was)," he said with a big smile.

Shahriar revealed that he was going to get married very soon. The girl is from Narayanganj. His bride-to-be wife is a degree examinee.

"I remembered my Amma most after beating Pakistan," he added.

As his debt for his success as a cricketer, he mentioned, "Gordon Greenidge made me do a lot of knocking yesterday (last Sunday). He told me 'Score some runs, you are not scoring' and then he encouraged me a lot to do so."His ambition was to play in the next World Cup in the year 2003 in South Africa.

World Cup stats: Played: 3, Runs: 41, HS: 39, Ave: 13.66

Faruque Ahmed Narrating his feelings, former captain Faruque, who said he would soon announce his retirement, said, "Even two days after the win, I am feeling very well because we are taking home something with us.""Winning against Scotland was a delight and then against Pakistan, that was definitely a very good game. We really enjoyed it and we are very happy," said Faruque, who has a business of sports goods at Dhaka's Elephant Road.

Reflecting on the future Faruque said, "I am planning to retire anyway. But this win will take us a long way. Beating a Test-playing nation is a great achievement for Bangladesh. The time has come to not look back anymore and just look forward."About the timing of his retirement, Faruque said, "Maybe this is my last tour for Bangladesh. I will retire as soon as I get back home."Feeling after beating Pakistan? "My family always supported me in a big way. My father is no more. But he was a big lover of my game. Although I did not play the match, I was definitely a part of the game. It felt very good. I remembered my family and also the players who bought the game this far. It is not the work of one day. Everybody deserves appreciation," was Faruque's thoughtful reply.

The sports shop will help him keep in touch with the game and as Faruque said in a PR tone, "I am really specialised in cricket."But his business should not put off Bangladesh Cricket Board officials from calling on him for any support they may need of him because, even if he retires, he was 'really willing to provide' his services to cricket.

World Cup stats: Played: 2, Runs: 16, HS: 9, Ave: 8

Manjurul Islam How was he feeling? "Definitely very well', said the tall paceman, who has drawn the attention of the local press with his effective bowling.

He would like to win more matches and do even better in ODIs.

"We've proved against Pakistan that we can win ODI matches," said Manjurul in his disarming smile.

"Anything is possible in cricket. It cannot be that just because it is Bangladesh, we will lose match after match. We can also win," was his resolute statement.

The lanky pacer was rather diplomatic when he said, "I have not yet decided for whom I shall play next season as I am a professional cricketer," and then laughed it off.

World Cup stats: Played: 4, Wickets: 3, B/ Ave: 31.33

Tanveer Muzhar Islam The manager was busy administering the last-minute details as the team was checking in.

"I am really feeling great, going back home after such a long time," Tanveer, the leader of a team that had a successful tour, said.

On Pakistan he was rather blunt, "We were trying to do this (beat Pakistan) for the last thirty years. When Yousuf Rahman (his national team-mate in the seventies) called me from the States after we beat Pakistan, we talked about our cricketing days and if we could have done it in our time (Laughs)."Where do Bangladesh go from here? "The only way is to go up. We should not consider that, because we beat Pakistan, we would keep on beating them every time. We have to keep on playing well. The new generation has to come up to do better still," said Tanveer.

Commenting on Gordon Greenidge's statement that if the board was 'man enough' they should have told him of their decision to sack him on the face and not send a letter, Tanveer said, 'This was just a letter for the tour. This was nothing to do with the cricket board or his longterm coaching. This was just a short-term measure. There was nothing to be done because this had to be done the day before the match."

Source :: The Daily Star