Cricinfo







Bangladesh to play warm-up against Pakistan
Zahid Newaz in Dhaka - 15 March 1999

Pakistan have agreed to play a limited-over one-day international against hosts Bangladesh on Tuesday.

Pakistan and Bangladesh cricket officials decided on Sunday, with the Asian Test Final unlikely to extend fifth day on Tuesday, to use the extra day for a day-night match. ``In the event of the Test lingers up to Tuesday, the Pak-Bangla one dayer will start soon after completion of the scheduled final,'' said Bangladesh Cricket Board President Saber Hossain Chowdhury.

``If the Test ends on Monday, the one-day will start on Tuesday afternoon,'' he added.

As it turned out the Test finished after lunch on Monday.

Saber, also Deputy Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives said a fresh Bangladesh team would be announced shortly to play with Pakistan.

The match, named as Meril Challenge Cup, will be sponsored by Square Pharmaceuticals Ltd. Square will provide Tk 10 lakh (20,000 US Dollars) for the title sponsor.

RC Cola will be the official soft drink of the match for which they will provide Tk two lakh (4,000 US Dollar).

Meanwhile, Bangladesh Cricket Board, the organiser of the match, has announced that separate tickets will be issued for the one-day match. It also announced the rate of tickets.

Pakistan agreed to play the hurriedly-arranged match to warm up for the forthcoming three-nation limited-over series against India and Sri Lanka in India later this week.

Bangladesh considers the match as a build up for the World Cup. The Bangladesh boys are also preparing for a Triangular Tournament, also comprising Zimbabwe and Kenya, beginning March 19.