The England and Zimbabwe cricketers had the first feel of the new floodlights at the Bangabandhu National Stadium when they had their net practice yesterday afternoon.
The lights seemed a far cry from the old dim, gloomy ones and both the teams were visibly enthusiastic about the system.
As daylight started to fade, the couple of hundred present at the stadium were expecting the floodlights to be switched on at any moment. The wait was getting a bit too long for comfort when an visibly anxious BCB secretary Syed Ashraful Haque rushed to the balcony in front of the players' dressing room and inquired from joint secretary of the Board Mahmudul Haque Manu, ``What's wrong with the lights?''
``The voltage is low'', came the reply signifying the fact that the mega-million event may still be a bit insecure and unsure in certain departments.
Thankfully, as the practising England players were beginning to get a bit apprehensive, the four towers started showering light in all its glory.
''This is fantastic''.
``These are the best lights I've ever seen anywhere in the world. The lights here are even better than the one at the MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground),'' exclaimed an impressed England skipper Adam Hollioake after the practice.
Russell Phil-ing anxious
Phil Russell, the reputable South African pitch expert, was roaming around the main wickets and the ones for practice at the stadium apparently with his fingers crossed. Some rather unexpected rain has upset the preparations of the pitches over the last couple of weeks and Russel, who is scheduled to leave the capital tonight, was looking for some clue as to how they were going to behave.
The slowness and lack of bounce in the practice wickets was evident as the England batsmen struggled to play their shots freely.
Bridle up, Asif!
``We can only accommodate the journalists, but not their family members and relatives in the press box''. This unbridled statement was delivered by none other than the event manager of the Wills International Cup Asif Iqbal at a press briefing yesterday.
The pressmen, who were inquiring about the media facilities, were taken aback after the former Pakistan captain unleashed that terrible stroke!.
It was not known what prompted Asif to gather the impression that local journalists might have sought accreditation cards for their family members, but he was diplomatic enough to withdraw his remarks following protests from the aggrieved fourth state.
Alam puts his foot down
A day of football is enough! said the press-shy ground secretary Alam Chowdhury referring to the football and rugby that was played by the England and Zimbabwe teams at the stadium. ``No more of these stuffs tomorrow'', said Alam obviously concerned about the possible damage to the outfield.
The cellar is drying up
They didn't expect the weather to be so sultry. Still the Englishmen will not mind the itchy conditions as long as they have enough 'sportsdrink'. But the stock of the popular tonic has become a concern as the England management feels they have not brought sufficient amount of it to combat the Dhaka heat.
BCB separates friends
At the stadium, there were two friendly 'photographic technicians' from 'AllSport'. The two enterprising young men were seen busy taking photos from different angles and were keen to exchange views with local journalists inside the ground. However, a conversation was rudely interrupted by one over-enthusiastic BCB official, who literally forced the local pressmen off the field.