Date-stamped : 15 Apr97 - 02:18
Dhaka explodes with joy on success 

Hasan Saeed

DHAKA, April 9: Bangladesh went into ecstasy to celebrate the
country's entry into the final of the ICC Trophy and its booking
of a berth in the next World Cup.

Thousands of jubilant people, most of them cricket fans, came on
the streets blasting crackers, beating drums and spraying
colours. The revellers paraded the streets with green-and-red
national flags, sprayed coloured water on passers-by, be they on
foot, in buses, rickshaws or private cars.

The city dwellers virtually woke up in jubilation as soon as the
Bangladesh radio and TV in live broadcast from the Malaysian
capital heralded Bangladesh's victory over Scotland by a
comfortable 72 runs at about 10.22 a.m.

"Bangladesh, Bangladesh," shouted the frenzied revellers. They
carried cricket bats, stumps and portraits of their cricketers
while celebrating on the streets with drum beats and bugle
playing. The mirth and fanfare also swept across the country.
Normal work virtually stopped in schools, offices and business
centres. People hugged each other and distributed sweets for he
cherished victory.

Cheered with the victory were also senior citizens who also
joined with the youth to rejoice in the `most' memorable day of
Bangladesh in its 25-year history.

In the port city of Chittagong, schools and colleges declared
holiday in celebration of the cricket victory. The fiesta lasted
throughout the day as the entire nation stood at one with the
spirit of a splendid sports victory on the global plane.

AFP adds: Wild celebrations after the country reached the
cricket World Cup left one man dead, several hundred people
injured and more than 100 under arrest, officials said.

People poured onto the streets to savour the country's greatest
sporting achievement within minutes of Bangladesh beating
Scotland in the ICC Trophy semi-final in Kuala Lumpur.

The victory saw Bangladesh into the World Cup in England in
1999, the first time the country of more than 110 million people
has reached the finals. But one man was stabbed to death in
central Dhaka as he fought supporters trying to pour coloured
water on him. And a child was critically injured after falling
off a roof while watching the festivities.

Hospital officials in Dhaka and other cities reported "many"
injuries, with some hospitalised. Eighty people injured in the
celebrations were treated at Dhaka Medical College Hospital
alone, a doctor there said.

The festivities also forced the authorities to step up security.
Police arrested more than 100 people for throwing coloured water
or vandalism. At least 20 female students from Dhaka University
were hurt when they ran away from men chasing them with coloured
water. The stain is permanent on clothes. Some people forced
cars to stop and wind down their windows before throwing
coloured water inside. Most cars on the streets were sprayed.

"We have arrested 40 people so far and more are coming," said an
officer at the Ramna police station in Dhaka. Similar reports
came from other stations.

Supporters carrying the national flag, drums, cricket bats and
fireworks swarmed around the capital. Some store owners gave out
free sweets.

Rickshaw processions toured the streets, which had been emptier
than usual until the match finished. Most people listened to
live radio commentary of the Kuala Lumpur match.

The marches caused traffic jams, but for once nobody appeared to
be annoyed.

"A spectacular expression of national pride and enthusiasm,"
said the official BSS news agency of the jubilation.

Each team members will get a new car and a mobile phone from the
government. "Orders have been placed for the new cars for the
winning team," Enamul Haque Khan, Director of National Sports
Council, told AFP, refusing to give details.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajed joined millions of
Bangladeshis and sent a message of "heartiest congratulations"
to the team. "The whole nation, expresses gratitude to you for
upholding a bright image of Bangladesh in the cricket world
through ensuring participation of our team in the next
prestigious World Cup Cricket," she said in the message.

The match united the politically volatile nation, with main
opposition leader Khaleda Zia also sending good wishes to the
team for their success. But reaching the World Cup was
considered far more important. The top three teams from the ICC
Trophy will get World Cup places.

Source::  Dawn (http://xiber.com/dawn/)

<END> Contributed by Masud (masud@cricinfo.com)