Former Pakistan skipper Rashid Latif said on Friday that he was not surprised with the recent success of Bangladesh cricket team due to their long-term planning.
Rashid, the ambassador of Pakistan disabled cricket team, is currently in Dhaka for the five-nation international cricket tournament for the physically challenged people that began at the BKSP on Friday.
International Committee of the Red Cross is organising the Twenty20 tournament in association with the ministry of youth and sports, Bangladesh Cricket Board and BKSP.
Rashid said that he had the gut feeling that it would not take more than five years for the Tigers to create a foothold in international cricket after watching their activities from close in 2009 while attending a level-3 coaching course, organised by the Bangladesh Cricket Board and Cricket Australia.
‘I saw facilities in National Cricket Academy and that time they really worked hard,’ Latif told reporters at the BKSP.
‘I thought immediately if they work hard in this direction they should be a very good side in five years.
‘And now after five years they played good cricket in the World Cup against England and they beat Pakistan by 3-0 and then India and South Africa,’ he said.
Latif said that he feels that more glory will follow Tigers in the coming next two to three years as they are gelling into a unit with an attacking frame of mind.
‘They played very good cricket, attacking cricket [against Pakistan]. I think they have direction and vision and I can tell easily they will be a very good side in world in next two to three years,’ said Latif.
‘There is Tamim Iqbal and other players who really played well. I congratulate BCB for the hard work at grass root level, the age level, Under-16, Under-17 and Under-19 along with Bangladesh A-team and national team.
‘Grow more facilities in Dhaka and I like to see more attacking players. See Bangladesh’s mentality has totally changed and they are very positive which is good,’ he said.
Rashid, who is expected to leave on Friday, said that the time has come to give some serious light for promoting cricket among disabled people.
‘Disable cricket team in Pakistan is winning matches and we are trying to promote disable cricket in Pakistan and around the world,’ said Latif.
‘I wish all the team good luck and it is a good tournament. In future more teams will come like South Africa and Australia. ICC should initiate a World Cup for disable cricket.
‘We should for the humanity for disable cricket and able cricket as well,’ he said.
-With New Age input
