Even after the resounding semifinal victory over the United Arab Emirates, the coaching director of Bangla-desh did not let his guard down against a curious band of journalists. The famous 'Flush Gordon', at the centre of everybody's attraction, carefully kept the fourth state at bay for reasons best known to him.
To the contrary, skipper Aminul Islam did not hesitate to take on the journalists after displaying yet another all-round performance on the field. He took three wickets and made 34 runs in the day's low-scoring affair.
``We are happy to reach in the final. We played well, specially the bowlers bowled very well and that made the victory much easier,'' said Aminul, who has shown remarkable consistency so far after being awarded with the captaincy.
``We were on the top from the word go. In every department we played well,'' said Aminul adding that his team is ready for the final showdown.
UAE coach Mushtaq Mohammad meanwhile said that his team's score was 'very difficult to defend.'
``My boys did not bat well and eventually they had to pay the penalty through the nose,'' said the former Pakistan Test cricketer.
``I think 180 could have been a very good score on this wicket. The Bangladesh bowlers did what I had expected off my boys. Bangladesh fully deserved the victory. They have outplayed us in every department of the game,'' said the mild-mannered Mustaq. ``Bangladeshi bowlers did exceptionally well. They turned the ball, maintained a tight line and length to make life difficult for us.''
STAR TV Talkers
Former Australian spinner Bruce Yardly, Arun Lal of India and Pakistan's Rameez Raja did the talking for the Star Sports, the Hong Kong-based satellite TV channel that provided the live coverage of the semifinal match today. After the match these stars of the yore did the commentating for the Daily Star Sport.
Yardly is quite familiar with the cricket of this sub-continent. But this is for the first time the Australian was seeing Bangladesh in action.
``I'm really impressed with your two new-ball bowlers. They were bowling with venom and kept a tight line and length. I'm also impressed with the way your left-arm spinner (Mohammad Rafique) had spun the ball,'' said Yardley. ``I think Aminul is the most accomplished batsmen in Bangladesh side.''
Arun Lal, on the other hand, is not only familiar with Bangladesh but also with its cricketers.
The former Indian Test cap lauded the Bangladesh performance. ``They played extremely well. Rafique, Hasibul and Safiuddin bowled very well and exploited the moisture brilliantly,'' he said. ``It was a good toss to lose for your captain. But the wicket is not fit for one-day matches. There was uneven bounce on the wicket. But within two or three month it will be a very nice ground. The approach of Bangladesh was right. The openers did the right thing. But it was Rafique who bowled really terrific.''
Former Pakistan opener Rameez Raja played in Dhaka on many an occasion. His expertise on Bangladesh cricket is quite remarkable.
``Bangladesh deserved the victory. I think, on this tricky wicket the difference was made by the Bangladeshi bowlers. They have exploited the condition with great aplomb,'' Rameez said. ``But the UAE spinners could not do what the Bangladeshi bowlers had done earlier. Rafique bowled very, very well.''
Rameez however appeared to be a bit discreet while talking about 'any improvement' in Bangladesh cricket.
``Although the Bangladesh openers were a little defensive, but the application was correct. It will not be a judicious statement to say whether Bangla-desh has improved right away. But they have applied themselves very good in this match.''