MCC open tour today

The visiting Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) start their three-week Bangladesh tour with a three-day game against Bangladesh Cricket Board President's Eleven at the Rajshahi Stadium today. Weather permitting, the match will start at 9:30 am.

Bangladesh Betar will provide ball-by-ball commentary.

Both teams left the capital yesterday morning.

The fixture was thrown into doubt when members of the Cricketers' Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB), announced they would boycott it unless the ban on seven senior players was immediately lifted.

However, they withdrew their threat following a fruitful discussion with State Minister for Youth and Sports Obaidul Quader late Wednesday night at the NSC conference room.

The energetic minister assured that he would do everything possible for reaching an amicable solution to the long-running dispute once BCB supremo Saber Hossain returned from the United States and, of course, before the inter-club transfers get underway on January 17.

The tourists after arriving on January 10, had two practice sessions, one at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Monday and the other at the BKSP on Tuesday. The home side understandably has been unable to do so. The players only got together before their departure.

MCC skipper Min Patel expressed optimism about his team's prospects. Talking to the press on Wednesday, the former England and Kent all-rounder said the side contained several first-class cricketers.

Our Rajshahi Correspondent adds: BCB captain Akram Khan was equally confident.

" It is true that we could not practice together but everybody is in good form especially after playing in the National League," said the former national skipper after arriving here yesterday.

Although, Akram was unaware about his opponent's strength, the portly Chittagonian revealed he would prefer to bat first after winning the toss.

Meanwhile, Rajshahi District Sports' Association has completed its preparations for holding the match.

TEAMS

MCC: Min Patel (captain), Bill Athey, Mark Boocock, Will House, Barry Hyam, Richard Johnson, Neil Killeen, Anthony McGrath, Paul Nixon, Ryan Sidebottom, Ben Smith, Tony Dodemaide, Matthew Wood and Gary Yates.

BCB PRESIDENT'S XI: Azam Iqbal, Sajid Hasan, Naimur Rahman, Akram Khan (captain), Al-Shahriar, Mushfiqur Rahman, Mizanur Rahman, Fahim Muntasir, Monjurul Islam, Shafiuddin Ahmed, Shaheen Ahmed and Mohammad Lal.

Umpires: Jahangir Alam and Mizanur Rahman.