Bangladesh Prime Minister's wish (27 May 1999)
With two matches remaining for Bangladesh in the World Cup, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina wished 'Bengal Tigers' another win in the global cricket summit
27-May-1999
27 May 1999
Bangladesh Prime Minister's wish
Zahid Newaz in Dhaka
With two matches remaining for Bangladesh in the World Cup, Prime
Minister Sheikh Hasina wished 'Bengal Tigers' another win in the
global cricket summit.
"We're satisfied that our boys won one match. Another win will be a
great plus," said a happy Hasina, a great sports fan, holding out all
state cooperation for the country's World Cup squad.
Addressing the annual conference of Dhaka Union of Journalists' in
Dhaka Wednesday, she urged the cricketers to show their best on all
fronts of the arena - bowling, batting and fielding.
The appeal by the Prime Minister came a day ahead of Bangladesh's
encounter with Australia at Durham Thursday and their last group match
against Pakistan at Northampton on May 31.
With three wins, Pakistan already has confirmed their berth among the
super-six, the second round in a new format. The ratings of
cricketing major Australia and Bangladesh are on a par-both having 2
points from one win each so far.
About Bangladesh's frustrating performance in first two matches, the
Prime Minister made a good humour: "I couldn't watch the games till
end as I apprehended that my heart would fail."
"The entire nation is with you. Our good wishes will always be with
you," she exhorted the cricketers who had met with her before flying
on their World Cup mission on April 14.
The same day two years back, Hasina accorded a reception to the
victorious team who returned home on that shiny morning clinching the
ICC Trophy and confirming their maiden World Cup berth.
Sheikh Hasina, who watched Bangladesh's historic win against Scotland
on television on May 24, made a telephone call to skipper Aminul Islam
Bulbul as soon as the match was over. She also talked to Bulbul by
telephone during the meal break in Bangladesh-West Indies match on May
21 and reached her eagerness for their good showing in the most
prestigious cricketing carnival.
Ahead of Bangladesh's debut in the World Cup, the PM had announced
cash award of Tk 50,000 each (approx $ US 1030) for a win. But
immediately after the first win, the Prime Minister herself doubled
the bounty figure.
There is also announcement of similar cash awards by her for any
subsequent win in the remaining two matches against Australia on May
27 and Pakistan on May 31.
According to the PM's offer, a batsman will also get Tk 100,000
(approx $ US 2055) for a century while a bowler as much for taking
four wickets in a single match.
Source :: CricInfo365