KARACHI: This is with reference to the news item in this newspaper, titled “BCB official’s statement a cheap stunt” (March 26). The final of the Asia Cup proved to be a nail-biter that no one had anticipated with Bangladesh needing nine runs off the final over to clinch a historic victory. However, it turned out to be Pakistan’s lucky day, who won the match by just two runs.
The story, however, does not end there. After the match, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced that it has lodged an official complaint with the Asian Cricket Council regarding fast-bowler Aizaz Cheema’s allegedly deliberate action of colliding with one of its batsmen in the final over as he was going for a run. The BCB had demanded five penalty runs as a result of the collision.
I believe this was a completely unjustified action on the part of the BCB as no umpire or match referee had taken up the matter during the match. Additionally, this action of the BCB has tarnished the memories of a final that everyone had enjoyed. Furthermore, the people of Bangladesh should realise that when faced with defeat, one should work harder to achieve victory in the future instead of looking for excuses for the loss.
Arfah Faiq
Published in The Express Tribune, March 28th, 2012.
