Ash stars in upset ICC CWC 2007 triumph

ICC CWC 2007 Media Release

They may not know where the country is on a map, but today more than 9,000 chanting fans in Guyana National Stadium, took Bangladesh’s cricket team into their hearts and soul, spurring them to a magnificent victory over mighty South Africa in the ICC Cricket World Cup.

For all the cheering and deafening shouts of “Bang-la-desh, Bang-la-desh” ringing around the stadium with every run or wicket that the underdogs reaped, Habibul Bashar and his players could have been forgiven for mistakenly thinking they were back home in Dhaka. And, as they closed in on their first Super 8 triumph, the din around the ground – punctuated by music from all three stands as well as from the Party Stand deejay – grew thicker and louder.

Spectators, including hundreds of schoolchildren in uniform, erupted in joyous delight when the final Proteas wicket – Makhaya Ntini – fell to herald a 67-run margin of victory for the Bangladeshis. It was the second time in the tournament that the lowly-ranked squad defied the form books and triggered memories of the manner in which they dismissed highly-touted India in the Group Stage.

“This was an important victory…to beat the No. 1 team in the world. I want to thank you guys for helping us today. You were great,” declared Bashar, in salute to the rousing way in which fans rallied behind his team.

First, it was the innings of diminutive Mohammad Ashraful – no stranger to sparking fireworks on the big stage – which brought the crowd to their feet as he mixed flamboyant aggression with youthful audacity, blasting 87 runs from just 83 balls. His fearless Man-of-the-Match innings, reminiscent of the century he scored in Bangladesh’s historic win over Australia in 2005, was the foundation of today’s total of 251 for eight in 50 overs. South Africa managed 184 all out in 48.4 overs in reply.

“It’s a great feeling to beat South Africa because they are No. 1 and because I know we played good cricket today. I felt that if I stayed at the wicket I would score and I played all the shots that I practise,” said a beaming Ashraful who smashed South Africa ’s stellar bowling attack to all parts of the lush outfield.

“We felt we had a chance with our score. We needed this performance. We have not played well in the Super 8s before but we have three more games and, if we win, maybe we can get to the Semi-Finals.”

Displaying a maturity well beyond his age, the 22-year-old said he never bothered about who was bowling, just his shot selection.

“I watch the ball – not the name of the bowler,” he said calmly.

Meanwhile fans left the stadium thoroughly satisfied that they had witnessed one of the best games of the Event so far – and eager for more to come.

“Tough luck for South Africa – but it makes for interesting cricket going forward in the tournament,” declared Amad Ali.

Asif Mohamed hailed the match “a great game” and noted it could help the struggling West Indies who will be next on South Africa ’s radar come Tuesday (April 10) in Grenada .

“I came here expecting Bangladesh to beat South Africa . For a team that’s still young on the international arena they are playing good cricket,” he said.

Another group who left the stadium still bubbling from all the excitement was Malissa Ritchie and her family and friends visiting from London . Ritchie, who was born in Guyana , chose the Cricket World Cup to bring her children to her homeland for the first time along with various other relatives and pals.

“There are 20 of us and we’ve had a brilliant day. That match was the best. I was supporting Bangladesh from the beginning and it was fantastic how they played,” she stated as they exited the ground.

“This has been the highlight of our trip so far. It was great.”