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PM hands the cheques, but cricketers demand their pitch

Members of Bangladesh World Cup cricket squad returned yesterday to a heroes' welcome by a nation stunned by their win against heavyweights Pakistan in the on-going World Cup cricket series.

Thousands of people cheered and conveyed their warmest felicitation to their cricket heroes at a civic reception at the Sher-e-Bangla Nagar National Parade Square in the capital.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, an avid cricket fan, graced the occasion as chief guest. ``Sabash (Bravo) Bangladesh... We're a brave nation. United we can make any impossible happen''-was her reaction to Bangladesh's achievement.

She shook hands with team members, greeted them with bouquets and gave gifts as promised. Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) mayor Mohammad Hanif distributed crests among the cricketers.

Representatives also gave the team members bouquets from some political parties and other organisations.

The huge crowd, who braved a scorching June sun waiting for hours for the arrival of the prodigal sons, burst into cheers when a convoy of army jeeps started approaching the dais at 11.15 am.

With the joyous crowd rallying behind, Mayor Hanif came down from the podium to welcome the heroes, who traveled from the airport aboard four jeeps decorated in garlands and colour ribbons. A large national flag flew on the lead jeep carrying Captain Aminul Islam.

Hanif garlanded the cricketers and took them to the dais amid applause and slogans for Bangladesh and its cricket heroes who waved back to the crowd. Aminul Islam also waved a national flag.

Soon after, the cricketers took their seats with the mayor, state minister for sports Obaidul Quader and deputy minister for local government, rural development and cooperatives and BCB president Saber Hossain Choudhury, the prime minister mounted the rostrum. A beaming premier shook hands with the captain, the vice-captain and a few others. The cricket team sat in the front row, punctuated by the PM and the mayor.

People from the ruling party who gave the occasion a flair of a party program largely influenced the 'public reception'. A large number of banners of AL and its front organisations could be seen all around. However, apolitical banners and placards were on display, too. The huge parade square, an unusual spot for public show, looked deserted in most parts.

``We demand trial of Bangladesh Football Federation under section 302 of the Kr PC for killing five infant pitches (at the Bangabandhu National Stadium)'',

``Good luck Bangladesh'' and ``What a victory!'' - read some of the banners and placards in the ceremony.

A BCL Dhaka city north banner stated, ``We've just landed in World Cup cricket, it won't end, here. Bravo Bangladesh.'' The huge banner was prominently displayed in the deck of the large podium, giving an impression: The ruling party's student wing of Dhaka city north zone is the sponsor of the dais.

However a decent DCC banner, ``Hearty congratulations to the Bangladesh team on its historic achievement in World Cup cricket,'' replaced the BCL banner, later, following a directive by the mayor.

``It's a victory of the Bangalee nation and of Sheikh Hasina'' read another BCL banner near the podium. A Krishak League banner said ``Warm felicitation to the Bangladeshi cricketers who defeated Pakistan in World Cup cricket under the efficient leadership of Sheikh Hasina''. It was first hung on the left side of the dais obstructing a section of the audience to see it. It was later shifted to another site but still remained close to the podium.

A BCB banner read, ``Victory of Bangla, victory of the Bangalees''

The back screen of the dais carried a well-decorated banner saying, ``Public reception to the national cricketers for their historic achievement in the World Cup''

A large number of national flags were flying across the audience while patriotic songs were being played from record players. Drumbeats contributed to the merrymaking.

Ministers, AL leaders including MPs sat with the audience on the left side while representatives of some small parties, different organisations were seated just behind the cricketers, accompanied by the premier, sports minister and the BCB president.

Before the reception formally began, tension spread among a section of the audience as dried tall reeds (shawn) was set on fire several times, causing thick smoke to float across the area. Fire fighters sprayed water to put out the fire.

Conductor of the program made repeated appeals not to go for such dangerous practice to express joy. ``Some youths are setting fire to have fun. But it may cause danger and hamper the function,'' Asadduzzaman Noor warned over the microphone.

Several hundred colour balloons were released from a corner of the crammed audience. This gave a relief to the audience who was still awaiting the cricketers' presence braving the scorching summer sun.

A young man caught attention of the audience by spraying orange ( jafran) colour smoke from a hand machine.

The reception formally began with recitation from the Holy Quran at 11.23 a.m. Besides the cricket team, the mayor also gave DCC crests to the premier and the sports' minister for their contribution to national cricket.

Besides giving cheques of Tk three lakh to each of the cricketers, the premier gave another Tk 1.5 lakh to man-of-the-match Minhazul Abedin Nannu; Tk one lakh to another man-of-the-match Khaled Mahmud Sujan; And Tk 50,00 each to Mehrab Hossain Opi and Naimur Rahman Durjoy, for their outstanding performance. A Tk three lakh cheque was kept ready for Coach Gordon Greenidge. But he had not come back with the team.

Speaking on the occasion, Captain Bulbul expressed his gratitude to the nation and thanked the PM, the sports' minister and the BCB president for their support to Bangladesh cricket.

He made a special reference to Sheikh Hasina who he said maintained constant contact with the team when they were in England. ``She encouraged, inspired and advised us all the time.''

The captain also demanded of the prime minister to give the cricketers a permanent stadium.

In her turn, Sheikh Hasina promised her government's all-out support for further promotion of the game in the country. ``A cricket stadium will be ready for the players when they start practicing, next,'' she said without specifying. In this regard, she added, steps were underway to build cricket stadiums at every divisional town to discover new talent.

She termed Bangladesh's win over Pakistan as another victory after 1971.

``We're a brave nation. United, we can make any impossible a possible... I believe, our cricketers will one day win the World Cup,'' Hasina said, advising them to prepare for the goal with firm determination and confidence.

In the 75-minute ceremony, the mayor, sports' minister and BCB president also spoke.

Awami League general secretary and LGRD minister Zillur Rahman; Party's city unit acting general secretary Akhtarul Alam; JSD secretary Hasanul Haq Inu; CPB president Manzurul Ahsan Khan; Quamrul Hasan of Workers' Party; Dilip Barua of Samyabadi Dal; Abdus Samad Azad of Gano Azadi League; Parliamentary standing committee chairman of sports' ministry Joynal Abedin Hajari; Bangladesh Olympic Association president and army chief Lt. Gen. Mostafzur Rahman; BCB president, chiefs of navy and airforce; Bangladesh Football Federation secretary Harunur Rashid; DU VC Prof AK Azad Choudhury; Ahad Choudhury of Muktijoddha Sangsad; Prof. Abdul Mannan Choudhury of nirmul committee; Zafar Imam of district sports association; Cultural activist Ramendu Majumdar; Captain of the country's first cricket team Shamim Kabir; Journalist Kazi Shahed Ahmed; and local MPs -- Dr H B M Iqbal and Kamal Ahmed Majumdar also greeted the cricketers with bouquets.