“That win against Pakistan remains up to now Bangladesh’s most significant cricket victory. That win gave us the confidence to really start believing in ourselves and that we can beat Test-playing countries. With this victory, we started dreaming for Test status. Our World Cup mission was a grand success,” Amin said.
Amin captained Bangladesh in its first ICC Cricket World Cup 1999 in England. He has played 39 ODIs, scoring 794 runs and taking 7 wickets. A year later, he became his country’s first century-maker when he scored 145 in the inaugural Test against India in Dhaka.
“The crowd at Northampton had a large number of fans from the Bangladeshi origin. After we won, they invaded the field and lifted us on their shoulders. We were their super heroes. That evening, we received a grand celebration from the team management and Bangladeshis who came from all parts of Europe. The next day, the celebration was in East London, popularly known as Banglatown in London. We could only imagine the grand reception waiting for us in Bangladesh,” he recalled.
“The day we landed at the Dhaka airport, we experienced the highest of honours from the people of Bangladesh. We went directly to the national parade square. The Prime Minster and the cabinet gave us a heroic reception. We players were all touched by their love and gratitude. For the next few days, we had celebration receptions given by various organisations.
“I was extremely fortunate to captain the side in our first-ever World Cup for Bangladesh. I was a regular member of the national team since 1988. Despite the fact that we had very little financial benefits from the cricket Board in those days, we played for our nation with full commitment and deep passion,” said Amin, who is currently serving Asian Cricket Council (ACC) as its Development Officer.
“From 1997 to 1999, all players in and out of the team worked together for this mission. I consider myself exceptionally lucky to be a part of such team. From 1997 to 2000, these three years, our overwhelmingly brilliant achievements – ICC Trophy, World Cup and Test status – put Bangladesh permanently in the elite league,” he said. Courtesy ICC
