JEDDAH, 19 June 2005 — Bangladeshi expatriates across Saudi Arabia celebrated last night their team’s historical win over Australia in the one-dayer.
“It’s exciting news. Australians are champions and Bangladeshis are a new team. So we’re all pleasantly surprised that our team could make history,” said Bangladesh Consul General Ashraf Uddin.
“People back home are excited. This win is good encouragement for our team, and we’re looking forward to make a headway gradually in world cricket,” he said.
There was a run on sweet shops, especially in the areas dominated by Bangladeshis like Bawadi and Bani Malek.
“It’s difficult to fathom that we minnows have defeated world champion Australians,” said Bashir Muhammad Noor, a Bangladeshi taxi driver.
Bangladesh stormed to a famous victory beating world champions Australia by five wickets in the NatWest Series at Cardiff yesterday.
Bangladesh, in pursuit of 250, romped home with four balls to spare. Mohammad Ashraful slammed a century off 101 balls with 11 fours to do the wonder for his team and the Asians.
“We distributed sweets and exchanged the news and greetings on the phone and also spoke to our relatives and friends back home. Everyone is in a celebratory mood,” said Jahangir Alam, an employee of a local Bangladeshi school.
“This is something we’ve been waiting for. This gives more courage and inspiration to our players to perform better. Bangladeshis have been in the World Cup for a short period, but are surely gaining strength. At this rate they are sure to come on par with some of the world’s leading teams. No doubt, cricket is now becoming popular back home in Bangladesh where football has been traditionally popular,” said Kawsar Chaudhri, president of a Bangladeshi community organization.
“The day was both good and bad for cricket. While Bangladesh made history with their unique win over giant Australians, the cricket world became poorer with the death of legendary batsman and former Indian captain Syed Mushtaq in Indore, Madhya Pradesh,” said Sultan Ahmed Khan, an Indian media executive.
Jeddah Cricket League President Shahid Amin said: “It’s very encouraging to hear the victory of Bangladesh. It’s a big achievement for them and a lesson to others that Australians are not invincible. If Bangladesh can do it, others can do it. All praise for Mohammad Ashraful who scored a timely century. Heartiest congrats to the Bangladesh team.”
“It’s probably one of the biggest upsets in the history of the game,” Shahid Raza, a Pakistani hotel executive said.
“We Bangladeshis are very happy and delighted,” said Bashar Alam, a Bangladeshi shop assistant in downtown Balad. “This win can take us a long way,” said Alam while echoing Bangladesh captain’s remark.
“It’s difficult to believe that Bangladesh, the lowest-ranked one-day team in the International Cricket Council table, could beat the world champions. Having beaten Pakistan, India and now Australia, Bangladeshis can now be considered as a team to reckon with,” Glenn Houston, a Western courier company executive said. “No one will dismiss Bangladesh as a weak team. They’re sure to emerge stronger by the next World Cup.”
