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Bangladesh experience a joy despite defeats

A 20-member under-15 school team from Calcutta, India, are now in the capital to play a series of friendly matches against local junior selects.

The Nava Nalanda High School team arrived in Dhaka on February 26 following an invitation by Bangladesh Cricket Board(BCB). The side consists of 15 cricketers and five officials. Diesel Power Services, an engineering firm, is providing hospitality to the visitors.

The boys from Calcutta have played two matches already. In the first game held on February 28, they lost to Cricket Coaching School (CCS) by 48 runs at the Kalabagan Club ground.

Batting first on the astro turf wicket, the CCS batsmen plundered a huge 246 for six off the stipulated 40 overs; thanks to some swashbuckling stroke-play from Emon (117 from 103 balls, 16 fours, three sixes) and Anwar (83 off 75 deliveries, 10 fours, three sixes).

New-ball operator Dibya Bishnu was the pick of the Nalanda bowlers and claimed two wickets giving away just 22 runs from seven economical overs. Fellow opening bowler Avishek Sarkar and Saikat Ghosh evenly shared the other four wickets.

In reply, Nalanda were all out for 198. Arjan Majumder blasted two sixes in his top score of 31 not out while Ayan Chatterjee (30), Avishek Datta (27) and Debanjan Guha (26) were the other notable scorers. Arafat of CCS took two for 45.

In their second match, Nalanda High School conceded an eight-wicket defeat at the hands of Kalindi Krira Chakra at Kalindi's ground in Keranibazar yesterday.

Nalanda batted first on a dicey pitch and could manage only 122 before being bundled out.

Kalindi's Robin and Rana captured three wickets each.

Avishek Paul scored the highest 29 while openers Avishekh Dutta and Deep Chatterjee contributed 19 and 17 respectively for Nalanda.

Opener Robin hammered 41 and Babu remained unbeaten on 49 as Kalindi raced to their winning target.

Talking to The Daily Star, Nalanda's coach Malay Banerjee said that his boys were enjoying the Bangladesh experience despite the defeats.

``The boys are very excited to be here'', said the former Ranji Trophy cricketer.

``I think cricket is growing at a tremendous pace in Bangladesh as was evident from the way school boys here are playing.

Nalanda School competes regularly in inter-school tournaments in West Bengal and have been making steady progress.

The visitors play their last match against Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protisthan (BKSP) on Mar 3 before leaving for home.