Brief encounter with Bucknor
The curious on-lookers standing at the belcony of the BCB office were bewitched when somone shouted'' Holding is here, Holding is here! ``. As everyone turned to have a glimpse of the famous West Indies fast bowler, out came the door another renowned Jamaican - umpire Steve Bucknor.
The well-built Bucknor, whose delays in raising the dreaded finger has become a trademark, however spared hardly any time to have a look around the National Stadium after arriving in the city yesterday.
``I have come in late today. I've not yet been anywhere except this place, said Bucknor.
``This is my first visit to Bangladesh. So far I'm satisfied. I think we are going to have a great tournament provided the rain stays away. The lights here is great. I think it's going to make the cricket wonderful'', added Bucknor after inspecting the ground.
Advantage Dhaka Lights
A large number of journalists from neighbouring India are already in the city to cover the 10-day maga event involving the nine Test playing nations. The pressmen, mostly from Calcutta, were busy completing the formalities at the BCB office.
A few of the Indians who were having animated discussions with the BCB secretary Syed Asraful Haque kept on admiring the new look National Stadium.'' The lights are fabulous'', remarked one Calcutta-based journalist.
``Even Better than the lights you have at the Eden Gardens'', quipped a witty Ashraful.
Advisory Committee committed
The Parliamentary Advisory Committee headed by Communication Minister Mohammed Nasim meet for the first time at the BCB office yesterday. The meeting, also attended by the lone representative from main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Major (Retd.) Hafizuddin BB, discussed matterss relating to a smooth holding of the tournament.
``I do not know whether they will call off tomorrows hartal, but we have requested the BNP and it's allies to withdraw the half-day strike.Now its up to them,'' said Nasim after the meeting.
``We came to the conclusion that agitation programmes should be avoided during the tournament and Mr. Hafiz gave his full-hearted support to this cause'', said Nasim.
Replying to a querry Nasim said'' They ( Sadeq Hossain, the city BNP president, and Saifur Rahman, former finance minister) had important commitments. But they have sent messages assuring their concent to any committee decisions''.
``This is a unique occassion. Bangladesh is proud to host an event of this magnitude. We have a duty to the cricket loving millions irrespective of diverse affiliations. We the committee members are committed in a successful holding of the meet'', added Nasim
The meeting was also attended by city Mayor Mohammed Hanif, State Minister for Youth, Sports and Cultural Affairs Obaidul Quader, State Minister for Information Abu Sayeed and BCB president Saber Hossain Chowdhury.
World Champs, Proteas due today
Sri Lanka and South Africa will arrive in the town today to take part in the Wills International Cup.
World champions Sri Lanka will fly in the city at 12.50 p.m. while the 'Proteas' arrive at the Zia International Airport (ZIA) at 10.25 p.m. Earlier, England, Zimbabwe and New Zealand, three of the nine nations who will take part in the knock-out tournament, reached the city.
The Trophy has landed
The Wills International Cup reached the capital yesterday. The trophy, designed by Arun Pabuwal, will be officially handed over to the hosts Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) tomorrow at 4 p.m.
BCB president Saber Hossain Chowdhury is scheduled to receive the six kg glittering piece of trophy from a representative of Indian Tobacco Company (ITC), the title sponsor of the meet.
The theme song of the tournament, rendered by country's renowned crooners Shakila Zafar and Shuvro Dev, will also be presented during the hand-over ceremony at the BCB office.