In latest development, main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its six small allies have called for a general strike, known as hartal in the sub-continent, on October 18 as the government refused to allow them to stage a hunger strike on the day.

Their mass hunger strike was scheduled at 'Paltan Maidan', just adjacent to Bangabandhu National Stadium, the venue for the knock-out basis world cup. The huge ground is a popular venue for political demonstration since British rule.

National Sports Council, authorities of the 'Paltan Maidan', denied to allow BNP and its allies to stage the hunger strike saying it would hamper preparations for the tournament. The NSC also disallowed ruling Awami League's student wing to hold its conference there.

Immediately after NSC's refusal reached to the opposition parties, they met in an emergency meeting Tuesday evening and called for the daylong strike on the day when Zimbabwe and England teams are scheduled to reach Dhaka for the biggest crickting show in the country.

Asked if they will allow the two teams scheduled to arrive on strike day to travel to the hotel from the airport, BNP Secretary General Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan MP said: It's the responsibility of the government, not of us.

He also said the government refusal came despite BNP leader and former Sports Minister Sadek Hossain Khoka extended total support for successful holding of the tourney and assured that the hunger strike will be peaceful.

``We are fully aware of significacne of the Wills Cup which will earn honour and prestige for the country... We have been compelled to call hartal (strike) as there was no other alternative,'' said the BNP Secretary General.

Another top BNP leader Abdus Salam Talukdar said: It's our beyond comprehension how a soft poilitical programme like hunger strike will hinder preparations for the Wills Cup. But the government refused to allow it as provocation to a conflict.

Leader of the Opposition and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia termed the denial to allow a hunger strike ``in the name of cricket as returned to Soviet-styled one-party rule that the present ruling party did in 70's under the banner of BAKSAL.''

Contributed by CricInfo365 (http://www.cricinfo365.com/)