Ranatunga enjoins big Asian countries to help Bangladesh
Karachi, July 5 (PTI) Former Sri Lanka captain Arjuna Ranatunga has adjured the big three teams of Asia –India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka — to help Bangladesh lift the standard of their game at the international level.
Ranatunga, the outgoing president of the Asian Cricket council (ACC), expressed satisfaction at the progress made by Bangladesh cricket but felt they can improve further if the big Asian countries join hands to help the neighbours.
"If you take all the three big Asian countries, we all have won World Cup which shows our superiority which is an achievement. Others are not that lucky, so cricket wise if you analyse, we are doing well. In fact Bangladesh are improving too so I am very happy about Asian countries progress.
"But I do believe that in Asia we should try to get Bangladesh up to our standards and that’s what we are determined to do," Ranatunga said.
Bangladesh is the fourth Test playing nation in the region but has fared poorly in Tests and one-dayers so far, failing to win any game against the big three in the Asia Cup tournament.
Ranatunga also said although Pakistan had hosted a successful Asia Cup but hosting Champions trophy was altogether a different ball game.
"I think, we never had any problems with the Asia Cup being held in Pakistan and we had no problems sending our side to Pakistan . But the ICC Champions Trophy is a totally different tournament.
"It will have big teams unlike the Asia Cup, so one has to be patient to see how it goes. It is normal procedure that not only western countries but every country wants to be sure about its players safety," he said. PTI
