Tehsin
March 12, 2003, 03:52 PM
BCB plans matches for World Cuppers
Sports Reporter
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is planning to hold a practice tournament to prepare the national cricketers ahead of the tri-nation one-day international series to be held in Dhaka next month.
The national cricketers, fresh from their humiliating World Cup campaign, have remained inactive since returning home from South Africa on May 5.
But with the tri-series, that involves world powers South Africa and India, starting on April 11 and a two-Test series against South Africa immediately following, the Board felt that the dejected players needed some cricket under their belts.
"We have sent a proposal asking the Cricket Committee for Dhaka Metropolitan (CCDM) to hold a tournament involving the teams who have qualified for the Super Six phase of the Premier League.
"We plan to distribute the players who were in the World Cup squad in those six teams so that they can have some match-practice. This is the only way they can have some competitive cricket as they are not allowed to take part in the club competitions," said Mahabubul Anam, an advisor of the Board.
"The six teams split into two groups will play in the round robin first phase. Top two finishers from each group will play in the two semifinals followed by a final," he explained.
But the chairman of the BCB's cricket committee said that it would be possible only if the six clubs agreed to play such a tournament smack in the middle of the ongoing Premier League. Provided the clubs agree, then the tournament under the banner of 'President's Cup' could start on March 22 at the end of the first phase of the Premier League.
Anam however said that the tournament would not be treated from a selection point of view only.
"It would give our mentally-shattered national cricketers some much needed opportunity for action ahead of another grueling series of matches."
Anam also revealed that the national team's training camp would be a short one this time and would not start before March 31.
Responding to a question about the future of under-fire coach Mohsin Kamal, Anam said that the fate of the former Pakistan paceman would be decided in the next Board meeting to be held after the March 23 final of the World Cup.
The influential BCB official, who returned from England recently, said that England have confirmed their tour of Bangladesh in October this year.
It was also agreed between the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and BCB that there will be two Tests and three one-day internationals in the series. Apart from those, England will play two three-day matches and a limited-overs practice match during their visit.
Sports Reporter
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is planning to hold a practice tournament to prepare the national cricketers ahead of the tri-nation one-day international series to be held in Dhaka next month.
The national cricketers, fresh from their humiliating World Cup campaign, have remained inactive since returning home from South Africa on May 5.
But with the tri-series, that involves world powers South Africa and India, starting on April 11 and a two-Test series against South Africa immediately following, the Board felt that the dejected players needed some cricket under their belts.
"We have sent a proposal asking the Cricket Committee for Dhaka Metropolitan (CCDM) to hold a tournament involving the teams who have qualified for the Super Six phase of the Premier League.
"We plan to distribute the players who were in the World Cup squad in those six teams so that they can have some match-practice. This is the only way they can have some competitive cricket as they are not allowed to take part in the club competitions," said Mahabubul Anam, an advisor of the Board.
"The six teams split into two groups will play in the round robin first phase. Top two finishers from each group will play in the two semifinals followed by a final," he explained.
But the chairman of the BCB's cricket committee said that it would be possible only if the six clubs agreed to play such a tournament smack in the middle of the ongoing Premier League. Provided the clubs agree, then the tournament under the banner of 'President's Cup' could start on March 22 at the end of the first phase of the Premier League.
Anam however said that the tournament would not be treated from a selection point of view only.
"It would give our mentally-shattered national cricketers some much needed opportunity for action ahead of another grueling series of matches."
Anam also revealed that the national team's training camp would be a short one this time and would not start before March 31.
Responding to a question about the future of under-fire coach Mohsin Kamal, Anam said that the fate of the former Pakistan paceman would be decided in the next Board meeting to be held after the March 23 final of the World Cup.
The influential BCB official, who returned from England recently, said that England have confirmed their tour of Bangladesh in October this year.
It was also agreed between the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and BCB that there will be two Tests and three one-day internationals in the series. Apart from those, England will play two three-day matches and a limited-overs practice match during their visit.