The Final between the Minnows (24 May 1999)

24 May 1999

The Final between the Minnows

Zahid Newaz in Dhaka

Two non-Test-playing teams in the biggest cricketing show: Bangladesh vs Scotland at Edinburgh on Monday. The least important match of the World Cup cricket.

But it will be like a final for the ICC Trophy Champions Bangladesh, and also for ICC third-ranked Scotland.

As an upset by Bangladesh against more stronger opponents is still a far cry, skipper Aminul Islam Bulbul and his colleagues know well Monday is the first and last chance to write their names with some respect in this year's World Cup.

They can expect the victory as their berth to the gigantic cricket carnival had come through the win against the same rivals, Scotland, in the semi-final of the ICC Trophy in 1997 in Malaysia.

Confirming the berth to the World Cup and later clinching the ICC Trophy are so far the most glorious chapters in the country's cricket.

And the victorious ICC squad has also become a part of the country's history. Now another opportunity awaits them to prove their mettle.

This will also be an acid test for the two non-test playing nations as they lost their previous World Cup group encounters.

Some 125 million people of the country will be waiting with baited breath to see the Bengal Tigers' first and perhaps the only victory in their maiden World Cup.

And the cricket-loving nation is apparently in no mood to hear any excuse of being beaten by Scotland. Bangladesh's first objective for the current World Cup is beating them.

Since Bangladesh confirmed a place in the World Cup and continued practicing under West Indian coach Gordon Greenidge, people here heard only one thing - a win against Scotland.

Nothing could stop the cricket fans in Bangladesh and also the cricketers themselves dreaming of the win. Even more than one defeat to the Scottish national team last year could not dissuade them from the dream.

Before departing for the World Cup campaign, the Bangladesh squad - from captain Aminul Islam, former captains Akram Khan, Minhajul Abedin and Faruq Ahmed, senior players like Enamul Haq and down to the junior players - all said their main mission is to beat Scotland.

Now the time has come for Aminul and Akram to deliver. The duo know it very well the much expected win mostly depends on their batting. Of course, with help from the other boys like Mehrab, Naimur, Hasibul and Monjurul who shone in the previous matches.

On paper, Bangladesh enjoy some advantages both in experience and status as they got the ICC trophy, one-day status and also played some 32 ODI matches.

However, Scotland will not give away the match to Bangladesh. Reports from Edinburgh say they prepared a pitch that is likely to favour the Scottish seam bowlers who are very strong in attack.

But none wants to believe Bangladesh's batting order would collapse to the Scottish attack although they have players with experience of playing County cricket.

The previous two matches showed Bangladesh bowling is not to be trifled with.

Let's watch the battle between Bangladesh batting and Scottish bowling.

Source :: CricInfo365