Her prayers answered (31 October 1998)

31 October 1998

Her prayers answered

Rabeed Imam

"The reason I admire Brian Lara so much, is because he overcame all odds to achieve the title of the 'best batsman in the world.'.... He overcame an environment polluted by drugs and worked hard to earn his Test cap.He gained fame almost overnight but dealt with it in a mature way and did not let it go into his head."These are few of the words Sasheen Mehnaz Ekramullah wrote in her essay titled 'Brian Lara, A Lord in His Own Right'.

Sasheen's write up won the second prize among 6000 entries from 54 countries at the Royal Commonwealth Society's essay competition in 1994-95.The 17-year old met her 'Lord' at the Dhanmondi Cricket Stadium yesterday afternoon after the West Indies team had finished their practice.

The opportunity came when Lara came to know about Sasheen's achievement through the team's liaisons officer and immediately wanted to see the 'A'level student who was patiently waiting in the stands.

"I cant believe it. I'm still shaking. Brian Lara actually talked to me!",said Sasheen after the superstar captain of the West Indies had spoken and signed autographs for her. "This will be the most cherished day of my life",added the die-hard West Indies fan.

Sasheen presented Lara a copy of the essay which was published in the Daily Star on August 4,1995.

Source :: The Bangladesh Daily Star (http://www.dailystarnews.com)