Bangladesh Interested to host Cricket in 2008 SA Games

[Ahmed_B]

Might be an U-19 tourney if not full-national sides.

Cricket set for Asian Games spot
Bangladesh is hoping to feature cricket in the in the 11th South Asian Games, which it will host in 2008.

Cricket has not been part of an international multi-sport event since the 1998 Commonwealth Games.

But organisers hope India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka will support the plan at a meeting to finalise the schedule, which will take place in Dhaka in February.

"As hosts, we have initially proposed 15 disciplines, including cricket," said a spokesman.

"We understand it will be difficult for the Test-playing nations to send full-strength sides to the SA Games.

"In that case, we would happily accept age-level teams," he added.
BBC

B’desh for Cricket in SA Games 2008
By NepalCricket.com, Dec 14, 2006

Bangladesh, the hosts for the 11th South Asian Games in 2008, hopes to include cricket in the event, according to reports.

“We have four test playing nations among us. So we could easily include the cricket in the SA Games,” Ishtiaq Ahmed, a senior official of the Bangladesh Olympic Association, told Reuters. “We understand it will be difficult for the test playing nations to send a full-strength side in the SA Games. In that case we would happily accept age-level teams.”

“India has already given its go-ahead,” he said. The organizers said they would discuss the proposals with the countries and the International Cricket Council to finalize the schedule.

Nepal along with seven other nations Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka participate in the biennial meeting and all of them play cricket in international fixtures.

The decision will be taken in Dhaka next February with Bangladesh proposing 15 disciplines including cricket for the meeting of the representatives from participating nations. It was not immediately clear what format of the game – the One-day or Twenty20 has been proposed for the event.

According to CricInfo, cricket was last included at a major international tournament in the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpar. It also featured in the Olympics once, when a side from Britain beat France in Paris in 1900.
Nepalcricket.com

[AsifTheManRahman]

hmmm...so if this proposal goes through then our U-19 boys will be playing the afghan nationals...would be nice to see how they fare against them...wasn't it the afghan coach that said that they could beat our national team?

[Ahmed_B]

Originally Posted by AsifTheManRahman
hmmm...so if this proposal goes through then our U-19 boys will be playing the afghan nationals...

Yep... and teams like Nepal also. But teams like IND, PAK & SL will also be there.. thats the good thing.

[Kabir]

I personally think our U-19 can beat most of the U-19...including India and Pakistan and SL in this tournament. If international, then definitely SA will lose against us.

[ialbd]

our u-19 team did beat Pak u-19 in the last u-19 WC (who later became the champ) so its very much possible for us to bag gold if this is approved

[TheWatcher]

I like the idea. It will be even better if we can arrange a separate U/19 tournament for South Asian countries.

[Rabz]

Originally Posted by TheWatcher
I like the idea. It will be even better if we can arrange a separate U/19 tournament for South Asian countries.

i dont think we will have to wait too long for that thing to happen...
bet its already on the cards....

[Imteaz]

Bangladesh should Include Cricket in SA Games 2008. We have Chance to Achieve a Gold in Youth Level.

[israr]

Twenty20 will be the best format if cricket is included.

[afrina]

We have a better hope there, so U-19 could be the best option.

We r not femiliar with 20-20 yet, so why we offer that, when we hope to achive gold in 1day format.

[Imteaz]

Bangladesh will have to play 20-20 World Cup in This Year. They are Playing 20-20 in Dhaka League. So It will be better if BOA include 20-20 cricket in youth level in SA Games. We can Get a Gold.

[afrina]

Does one league is enough to get gold?

[Carte Blanche]

Originally Posted by israr
Twenty20 will be the best format if cricket is included.

I doubt that. If included, regular ODI format will most likely be used. We have more than enough venues to accommodate the games. Question is, if/when the likes of Nepal/Bhutan organize the event, does this set an impractical precedent for them?

[Imteaz]

Originally Posted by afrina
Does one league is enough to get gold?

Don't Worry, Before 2008 SA Games Bangladesh will Play One More 20-20 League. They will also Play some 20-20 Match in International Level. and Bangladesh always Perform well in Youth Level. It is also new for India, Pakistan and Srilanka. So, They are not also That Much Experience. We will have a Better Chance.

Have a Nice Time.

[afrina]

Yes I don't have any dought BD always perform well in youth level. National league is not enough for a good practice. If they play in international level that will help them other wise no hope.