All eyes were fixated towards the entrance of the Pan Pacific Sonargaon hotel ballroom as the waiting journalists and guests were eager to witness a glimpse of the living legend of world cricket. After attending a programme of UNICEF at Rupganj, Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar was all set to unveil the logo of reigning Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League champions Legends of Rupganj previously known as Gazi Tank Cricketers.
The little master walked into the ballroom with his usual smiling face and greeted everyone who came up to him with a shake of the hands. By this time, the photographers had already surrounded him for a precious snap.
Reaction amongst guests, journalists, sponsors and even the players of Legends of Rupganj was exactly the same as every single person present there was amazed to see Sachin in front of their own eyes. National discard Musharraf Rubel could not resist himself from taking a “selfie” with someone who many consider to be the god of cricket.
Following his retirement from international cricket, this was Sachin’s first visit to Bangladesh which was organised by his friend, Legends of Rupganj owner Lutfur Rahman Badal. International Cricket Council president AHM Mostofa Kamal and the state minister for youth and sports Biren Sikder were among the distinguished guests at the programme. Ace all-rounder and Legends of Rupganj captain Shakib al Hasan was also present at the logo unveiling ceremony. Hard-hitting opener Tamim Iqbal, one of Badal’s close friends, however, was not present.
The programme started with a video presentation showcasing the journey of Badal and his involvement with cricket followed by another video presentation depicting Sachin’s illustrious career.
In his short speech, Sachin did not forget to mention his love for Bangladesh. “When this film of me when I was a teenager was being shown, Mr Kamal said to me ‘you started your career very early’. My response to him was ‘yes’. I started my career from no hair to grey hair and in that journey I ended up playing in Bangladesh,” said Sachin.
The little master informed that each and every single one of his visits to Bangladesh were memorable ones, including the ICC Trophy in 1998 followed by the country’s inaugural Test match against India at Bangabandhu National Stadium in 2000.
The 41-year old also cherished the memory of smashing his 100th hundred in international cricket against Bangladesh in the Asia Cup two years ago. Sachin recalled that he felt mesmerised by the reception accored to him by the cheerful crowd at Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka. Shakib and new ODI skipper Mashrafe bin Mortaza were among those who shook hands and congratulated the little master on that eventful day.
“I am fascinated by the response of the Bangladeshi crowd. The kind of support the Bangladesh team enjoy is fantastic for a sport. I remember I got a wonderful reception when I equaled Sunil Gavaskar’s record of 34 Test hundreds.
“A big moment for me because Sunil Gavaskar was standing at the boundary line. He was the first one to congratulate me. From there on I scored my 100th 100 in Bangladesh as well,” said Sachin.
One of the greatest ever batsmen to have graced the game alongside the prince from Trinidad and Tobago, Brian Charles Lara, Sachin congratulated his friend Badal for his love and passion towards the game of cricket and informed that the Legends of Rupganj are in right hands.
Sachin concluded by saying if Bangladesh wants to prosper in the international circuit, they require more players of the ilk of Shakib and Tamim.
“You need role models like both of them (Shakib and Tamim) to bring glory to the country and make cricket more exciting all across the world. I want to wish Bangladesh cricket all the very best for the future and also wish Badal and his team all the success. May cricket always do well,” said Sachin, not surprisingly ending his speech by wishing for the betterment of cricket.