da bwin： Bangladesh ruled out any possibilities of repeating the 1999 World Cupperformance against Pakistan in the Asian Test Championship openerwhen skipper Naimur Rehman said miracles don’t happen everyday
29-Aug-2001Bangladesh ruled out any possibilities of repeating the 1999 World Cupperformance against Pakistan in the Asian Test Championship openerwhen skipper Naimur Rehman said miracles don’t happen everyday.”The scenario is different. It was a one-day game in which things canturn around rapidly. But this is a five-day game and you have to beconsistent throughout to emerge winners,” Naimur told Dawn at theMultan Cricket Stadium Tuesday.Bangladesh caused the upset of the 1999 World Cup when they trouncedPakistan by 62 runs at Northampton which raised cries of foul-play,chiefly by South African Cricket Board managing director Dr AliBacher. Pakistan has ordered investigations into the allegations, alsoincluding the loss to India in the Super Six stage.”It’s difficult for us because we have not played many five-day games.Let’s see what happens over the next five days but we will try to putup a good show,” the 26-year-old bowling all-rounder said.Ironically, Pakistan captain Waqar Younis played his only match in theWorld Cup against Bangladesh. The current Bangladesh squad has sixsurvivors from that historic triumph which went a long way in earningthem Test status.Naimur said he respected Pakistan’s strength but was not willing to bedemoralized by their reputation and ability to virtually destroy theiropponents on their day.Asked if Bangladesh’s reputation as a three-day team hurt him, Naimursaid: “Wait and see. No comments at this stage.”However, the Bangladesh captain said he had a glimmer of a hope afterPakistan lost four straight home series, including three against lowlyplaced Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka and England.”Pakistan is a strong side. They probably lost (home series’) duringtheir bad times owing to poor form. But they have the capacity andcapability to bounce back and come right at you.”Naimur said he and his boys had been following players like WasimAkram, Waqar Younis during their pre-Test days. “We used to followthem very closely. But now, we are in the same level which is excitingand something to be proud of. But still there is a huge mental andapproach difference between us and them.”