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LANKA DIARY

Al MUSABBIR SADI from Colombo
As the sun was setting over the majestic Indian Ocean on Friday, homesick Bangladeshi cricketers were relieved knowing their wait was almost over.
Having lost the second and final Test against Sri Lanka inside three days, they got an unwanted three-day break as all efforts to fly home early proved unsuccessful due to jam-packed flights.
Although they won't get any warm welcome from the fans after a series of 'ifs and buts', they could easily find harmony in the arms of theirfamilymembers.
The cricketers so anxious to get away from it all, did not even bother to go shopping or roam on a very hot day after a morning team meeting. Even , their favourite pas.time playing pool at the Taj Samudra Hotel - could not attract the tired bodies and minds.
The two-hour long meeting was only a review of those 'ifs and buts' and a reminder to the lot that there was plenty of hard work in the next four months of domestic season for more international commitments next year.
The redemption plans will be chalked out once coach Dav Whatmore returns to Bangladesh in the second week of October. The coach, who will enjoy a holiday with his family here, will also watch the Bangladesh Cricket Board Development Squad play two matches in Colombo during his vacation. The Development Squad are duehere on October 2. Like Whatmore, Sri Lanka's Australian coach Tbm Moody will also take a break after guiding the islanders to Test series victories against West Indies and Bangladesh and triumphing in a tri-series that also involved India and West Indies.
Moody, who took over as Sri Lankan coach a few months ago, is expected to fly to his second home England on Saturday.
The two enjoyed tea at the lobby of the Taj Samudra Hotel on Friday with ICC match referee Roshan Mahananra._
MESS BOX!
Don Bradman may have played cricket at the P Saravanamuttu Stadium, better known as the Colombo Oval in the good old days. But one of the oldest cricket grounds in Colombo, which staged Sri Lanka’s first ever Test match, is certainly a long way from being projected as a Test venue as far as media facilities are concerned.
At both the Colombo international grounds, Sinhalese Sports Club and the R Premadasa Stadium, media facilities are moderate but the worst was saved for the last and it was a shock when the Bangladeshi reporters arrived at the P Sara press box on the first morning of the second and final Test match.
It was in a mess much to the dislike of local and foreign reporters.
Open at both ends, the huge halllike balcony of the four-story concrete structure is vulnerable to rain. That's where print media is accommodated but the electronic media gets maximum protection from rain andheat,beingseatedinACboxes.
The worst scenario was that some Bangladeshi journalists did not have proper vantage positions to watch the proceedings. Some of the tables were like rocking horses and the noise pollution at times was akin to a street market.
On the tables, there were more TVs than they could seat human beings and after half an hour's struggle, space was created by removing some sets. Then there was shortage of chairs because most of the local reporters were using two chairs.
Also on the first day there were no lights for reporters working late in the evening.
"We are fed up telling them to improve the conditions. It docs not work. You may try calling someone from the board," suggested a sports editorof a I oca) daily to the visitors. ’ Ills suggestion was' helpful. After repeated requests to the media manager and his associate went in vain, the secretary of Sri Lanka Cricket's interim committee arrived to sort things out.
NOWFALL'S PRIDE
Mohammad Nowfall, who drives a three-wheeler in Colombo, has been following cricket since 1984. A regular spectator of international cricket at home, Nowfall has collected autographs of top cricketers like Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara, Shane Warne, tire Waugh twins and many more.
Still, he claimed with pride that his rich collection also includes the autograph of cx-Bangladesh captain Gazi Ashraf Hossain.
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"I took Ashraf s autograph when he was here to play in the second Asia Cup. It is old but I am proud of it Who knew then that Bangladesh would be playingTest cricket?
"I like the Bangladeshis because I made many friends from your country when I worked in Abu Dhabi for two years," ■ said the 32-year-old Nowfall.