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Cricket history to halt historic Paltan Maidan

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October 24, 2000 

Dhaka-- (UNB) - BCB has requested the National Sports Council (NSC) to free the Paltan Maidan from November 1-16 for smooth holding of the historic maiden test match in Bangabandhu National Stadium.

Bangladesh, the 10th member of the test elite club, will take on their neighbour India in the one-off test match from November 10-14.

Bangladesh Cricket Board also requested NSC to stop entrance of all vehicles into the area from November 1 as the WorldTel, who purchased the TV rights, will start their work from that day.

The BCB also requested all political parties to keep the historic Paltan Maidan free from political programmes during the period for successfully holding the first test match.

"We believe all parties will cooperate us like previous occasions," said BCB general secretary Syed Ashraful Haq while talking to newsmen at the BCB office here yesterday (Monday).

Syed Ashraful Haq said test babes Bangladesh might play their first test match against Pakistan at home in the first week of next January if India cancel their Pakistan tour.

"But holding a two-match test series against Pakistan at the Bangabandhu National Stadium has not been finalised yet as the big bowl will be allotted for football after the test against India."

He said it is impossible to properly make the ground fit for test matches after holding the remaining football matches of premier division league in the same stadium.

"The ground is not 100-percent ready for holding such an international match and that's why we'll try to find out alternative venues to hold the series against Pakistan," he added.

About the dilemma over his job as the manager of national cricket team for Kenya and South Africa tour Haq said he was not interested to discharge such managerial job.

"I don't have enough time to act as team manager. And I think this is not my area," he added.

He suggested that the team manager should only be entrusted for administrative, public relations and logistic support activities for the team, not for the selection procedure.

"There is no need to choose the team manger from former cricketers because he should not play role in team selection in addition to his other duties," the BCB general secretary said.

He suggested appointment of a team manager for long term basis like other test nations.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh umpire Manjur Rahman was named among six umpires from the sub-continent to conduct the forthcoming Pepsi ACC Trophy Championship beginning from November 15 in Sharjah.

Eight teams splitting into two groups will take part in the championship and its champions and runners-up teams will qualify for the next Asia Cup Cricket to be held in Pakistan.

Malaysia, Singapore, Kuwait and Hong Kong have been placed in Group "A" while Group "B" comprises of UAE, Maldives, Japan and Nepal.

Malaysia will take on Hong Kong in the opening match and the final of the championship will be held on November 24.