Bangladesh diplomats meet CAB officials ahead of Sheikh Hasina visit

Kolkata, Nov 13: Bangladesh Deputy High Commissioner Toufique Hasan and his team on Tuesday visited the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) for their Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's scheduled visit on Day 1 of the first-ever Day-Night Test between India and Bangladesh at the Eden Gardens from November 22-26.

It was learnt that Hasina's security team will inspect the Eden Gardens on November 15.

The team left impressed after their recce ahead of India's first pink ball Test, a CAB statement said.

CAB Secretary Avishek Dalmiya, Vice President Naresh Ojha, joint secretary Debabrata Das, treasurer Debashis Ganguly and other CAB officials were present during the meeting.

The representatives from Bangladesh included Deputy High Commissioner Toufique Hasan, Counsellor, Education and Sports, Shaikh Shafiul Imam, Counsellor Md. Bashir Uddin and First Secretary (Political) Shamima Yeasmin Smrite.

The statement added that on the first day, Bangladesh Prime Minister Hasina and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will ring the Eden Bell together.

They will be accompanied by BCCI President and former India skipper Sourav Ganguly, BCCI Secretary Jay Shah, the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Naimur Rehman, BCB President Nazmul Hasan along with CAB office bearers.

"Following the first day's play the players who played the first Test between India and Bangladesh will be felicitated followed by speeches given by the dignitaries," Dalmiya said.

In the break, there are plans for a chat show featuring the fabulous five of Ganguly, Tendulkar, Dravid, Kumble and VVS Laxman.

"The agenda of the meeting was to see the preparations and exchange ideas to make it a classy affair when Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visits Eden Gardens on November 22 to watch the first day of the second test between India and Bangladesh," Dalmiya said.

Bangladesh Deputy High Commissioner Hasan added: "We are satisfied with all the preparations.

The CAB will also felicitate a galaxy of Indian sports stars including Olympic champion Abhinav Bindra, tennis star Sania Mirza, world badminton champion PV Sindhu and six-time boxing world champion MC Mary Kom among others.

There will also be a felicitation of some breast cancer survivors.