**When the 1999 World Cup squad was first announced, one name was missing. The cricket-loving public of the country protested, there was a huge outcry in the media and then, bending to the pressure, Minhazul Abedin Nannu was added to the squad. In Glasgow, Nannu stroked a masterful 68 against Scotland when Bangladesh were 5 for 26. The win thereafter was all his doing and it took Bangladesh a step further towards the Test arena. Speaking to The Daily Star Sport, Nannu mentioned the affection of the public at the mere mention of the 1999 tournament.**

_Daily Star Sport (DSS):How did it feel when you heard that you would ultimately play in the 1999World Cup?

Minhazul Abedin (MA): My experience of the World Cup is very unique, unlike all of my teammates'. It was not the usual way that I got into the team, as you may know. I was under immense pressure due to the expecta-tions on me. It was exciting of course, but there was pressure. I was determined to honour the public sentiment that was very much part of my World Cup selection at the time. My inclusion in the team, the way it was done, I don't think will be done a second time.

DSS: How excited were you to play in your country's first World Cup?

MA: Everything about the World Cup was new to us. This generation would not find it easy to understand as we automatically qualify to the World Cup these days. We missed qualification to the World Cup twice so you can under- stand that we dreamt of playing in the tournament for really long. I cannot express how excited I was to play. Actually the entire time between our ICC triumph

in 1997 till the World Cup was just fantastic.

DSS: How different was the atmosphere compared to other matches or tours?

MA: There was a huge difference. We only play against one country in a series so we have one strategy. In the World Cup, there has to be six different strategies. Then there is the atmosphere, expectations of the public and the memory it creates. People remember a World Cup moment more than that in other series. Plus, this tournament is unpredictable.

DSS: Was there a sad moment?

MA: No sad memories. It was a happy journey throughout. You know, I have one unfulfilled dream that was to play Test cricket. It didn't happen because of some people's personal grudge.

DSS: Recall your sweetest memory then...

MA: I didn't get to play against New Zealand, didn't do well against West Indies. But against Scotiand, I think I gave my best performance with both bat and ball. The fact that I contributed in that match was great. If we had lost that game, our cricket would have gone back a few years. But thankfully, we won that game. Off the field, it was the support of the public that was just remarkable. And when one mentions 1999 World Cup, the Pakistan match always comes up.

DSS: What do you expect from the Tigers in the 2011 World Cup?

MA: I think they will reach the quarterfinals. But one disadvantage is that they are out of international cricket for two months before the World Cup.