Comitted to PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO KNOW
Vol. 4 Num 109 Fri. September 12, 2003  
   
Letters to Editor


Reactions: Multan Test


September 6, the last day of Multan Test, was one of the incredible days of our cricket history. We almost reached near our first Test victory. But we lost by one wicket for some of our weaknesses and also for some wrong decisions of the umpires. We were keenly waiting for the first Test victory. We've become a little frustrated, but at the same time it was very encouraging to see how our boys were striving to win the match.

Although we've lost in Multan, in a sense, we've won. It is truly the first respectable defeat of Bangladesh in Test cricket and, of course, commendable. Our cricket has reached a different height. Our boys had jeopardised the Pakistan team several times in this test series. But we were victimised by the hypocrisy and dishonesty of the Pakistani captain and others. These things will not be written in the record books because history prefers matters than manners.

Nevertheless, the great achievement in Multan will always remain an encouraging memory. Such performance can indicate something auspicious for our cricket in future. We should congratulate our coach, Dav Whatmore, for his jealous exertion to build up a new Bangladesh team. It is the same team, same players and same environment -- everything is the same, yet we can notice the changes in the quality of performance and results of the matches. We never reached such a height in the past. Since Whatmore has taken the responsibility of our cricket, everything is changing, and, of course that change is positive.

We also want to congratulate Shujon and his boys for presenting us some memorable moments. Four more one- day matches are ahead. We can't give up our hopes though, in the first one day match in Multan, Bangladesh was whitewashed. We hope that the boys will keep up their performance in one- day matches as they did in the Test series. We wish happiness for all of the members of Bangladesh team.

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A number of unexpected events have taken place during the current tour of Bangladesh cricket team in Pakistan. Needless to say that the host country showed their narrowness and we never expected that. We consider cricket as a gentleman's game.

My advice to our cricketers is -- prove your worth in the field. I think this is the best way to answer their deeds.

Saumitra Sarder Piklu, LLB final year, DU

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Under this specific circumstance, what are the ICC rules?

"Latif had dropped the ball and picked it up from the ground which went unnoticed by umpires Ashoka deSliva and Russell Tiffin". How they could give judgement, without referring to the third umpire, of an event that they were not sure of! So, I think they are equally responsible for the 'mistake'. If Rashid Latif is punished, I think the umpires also deserve similar punishment. But Rashid Latif has been made a scapegoat! What are the relevant rules in this respect? The right judgement at the right time could have turned out the result of the game most probably in favour of Bangladesh! Besides, there was one, if not two, unmistakable LBW. Therefore, I think this game should be declared abandoned and null and void.

Alauddin Talukder, Siddeshwari, Dhaka

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Every one who watched the game hoped that the Bangladesh team would defeat the Pakistanis.

I was one of them, too. But personally I don't regret at all that they have lost. We have seen them trying. We have seen the spirit in them. It's true that, if they have won, everybody (including me) would have celebrated it tremendously. That win would have been one of the victorious wins of all time. But that doesn't matter at all. The pressure they created on the Pakistani team, was a huge thing. And also the nine wickets they took. Above all, they tried, they tried with their heart and mind. Another thing is that, the youngsters did very well. I think that sometimes change should be made in the team. There are many youngsters in our country who play really well, they should be given a chance.

From now on, we can hope that the Bangladeshis can win. So, let's not regret that they have lost, but salute them for their endeavour.

Iffat Hossain, Jahangirnagar University, Savar