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Bangladesh to face Cup sides
By Zahid Newaz in Dhaka
22 October 1998
Despite some disruption in practice, the Bangladesh national side is
ready to face New Zealand and England in two warm-up matches. The
host team will face New Zealand at the Savar BKSP ground today,
followed by a match against England tomorrow Friday.
``We had seven sessions of practice, but not in the net as BKSP still
lacks the facility,'' said Bangladesh skipper Aminul Islam Bulbul
Wednesday.
Ahead of the two warm-up matches, he seemed confident to do well as
``our boys are all eager to prove themselves.''
Bulbul said : ``We just don't want to think how England and New Zealand
will be taking the matches. But we're very serious ... a great
opportunity has come to us to play against two test-playing teams.''
Bangladesh captain informed that all the 16 players will be given
opportunity to play the two matches and said they are ready to give
their best. ``All members of the team are fit.''
Bulbul described the BKSP pitch as ``average'' and said medium pacers
and spinners should get help from the wicket. He added that playing
with white ball in a day-match will be a new experience for the
Bangladesh players.
Team manager Kutubuddin Aksir said all the boys are eagerly awaiting
to play against England and Zimbabwe. ``It's a rare opportunity to play
against the test-playing nations,'' he added.
In other Wills Cup news:
- Curtly Ambrose is expected to withdraw from the West Indian squad
today. He had a meeting with WICB officials yesterday where it is
understood he was asking to be excused from playing in the tournament.
Ambrose was fined 10 per cent of his match fee in the Red Stripe Bowl
semi-final on Saturday for verbal abuse of umpire Thomas Wilson.
Guyana's Reon King is on standby to replace Ambrose.
- World Champions Sri Lanka and Commonwealth Games gold medallists
South Africa will arrive in Dhaka on Thursday. The favourite Lankan
team, led by its long serving captain Arjuna Ranatunga, will arrive at
the Zia International Airport at 12.50 pm while formidable South
Africa, led by Hansie Cronje, at 10.25 pm.
- The Advisory Committee of the Wills International Cup Cricket
Tournament has hoped that all irrespective of party affiliation would
co-operate with the organisers for smooth holding of the tournament.
Successful holding of the tournament would brighten the image of the
country, it observed at a meeting Wednesday as Bangladesh opposition
is going to enforce a half-day general strike across the country
Thursday, only two days ahead of the tourney.
Source: CricInfo365
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