Zahid Newaz reports from Dhaka after Bangladesh's historic World Cup opener

Four lbw decisions at Chelmsford Monday smashed the dreams of millions of a glorious debut by Bangladesh in the World Cup. New Zealand easily won over child ``Bengal Tigers'' with a six-wicket win to begin their World Cup campaign sending Bangladeshis into a deep frustration.

The victims of lbw included two openers Shahriar Hossain Bidyut and Mehrab Hossain Opee, middle-order batsman Naimur Rahman Durjoy and hard-hitter Mohammad Rafique.

Like any other blind supporter, many cricket fans argued the lbw decisions. As they didn't want to see Bangladesh's batsmen returning pavilion with low scores, they also don't want to accept the lbws.

The reason of their non-acceptance of the decisions is simple -- the local spectators are not habituated to watch their star players being lbw. In fact, it is a rare incident in domestic leagues or tournaments that the big names for Bangladesh, who play for major clubs, are returning pavilion after being out in that way.

No local umpire has that courage to announce a star player lbw as the decision may make fanatic supporters violent and also the club officials. In that way, although a national player in league or tournament becomes lbw twice or thrice, he leaves the ground after being bowled or caught. Apparently, it helps the clubs in domestic battles, but ultimately damages the career of a player.

And it was proved in the first appearance of Bangladesh in the World Cup.

A win of Bangladesh would bring people on streets in the midnight in Dhaka. However, the whole nation welcomed their World Cup debut against test elite New Zealand with much enthusiasm at home and abroad.

Most of the educational institutions in the capital and elsewhere in the country declared half-holiday Monday to mark the beginning of the much- awaited World Cup campaign of the ICC champions.

Several hundred students of Dhaka University, the highest educational institution in the country, brought out processions on the campus wishing the success of Bangladesh in the mega cricketing event.

``Good Luck Bangladesh,'' chanted the processionists who carried national flags, colourful banners, posters of players and festoons and beat metal plates and bowls.

Most offices and business houses ceased work and the usually heavy traffic jam on the metropolitan roads were absent as the cricket crazy fans rushed to nearby TV sets to watch the match. Those who couldn't return home, kept their ears on radio.

Some cricket fans, including even minor schoolboys and girls, were fasting seeking divine blessings for the success of Bangladesh in the World Cup.

Power development Board and Dhaka Electricity Supply Authorities made all possible arrangements to keep power supply uninterrupted during the Bangladesh's match. No news of any major power collapse was received.