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EDINBURGH, May 24: Yousuf Rahman Babu, former Bangladesh cricketer star, is simply elated.

He is here with his wife. He has flown from New York to Edinburgh via London to see the boys, some of who were tiny toddlers when he scored that famous 78 against the visiting MCC at the Dhaka Stadium.

``It was January 6 and 7 in the year 1977'', said he with his characteristic wide smile. So how old was Minhazul when you were playing? ``He just got in when I gave up. Good replacement, wasn't it? `` he quipped.

Narrating his feeling about being able to see Bangladesh in the World Cup, Yousuf said, ``Ask the nation how they feel. If they are excited, I am too.''

Make-shift Carnival

A 20-man strong band of Scottish bagpipers and drummers played Highland tunes to set the stage for Edinburgh's first World Cup match.

Joyous shouts of 'Bangladesh, Bangladesh', backed by another band of make-shift instruments was more of a clamour, but in terms of fun and merrymaking, it came out tops.

In fact, the entire set-up was make-shift. The press box, again a tent put this time more along the line of the wickets, the commentary box, the stands, the scoreboards, even the toilets were all temporary.

Bangladesh flags gave the Grange Cricket Club ground an anna of festivity. Ominously, there was not a single Scotland flag in the gallery.