‘We were staying in a kind of jail’

After the disappointments in 1990 and 1994, Bangladesh created history under the leadership of Akram Khan to clinch the 1997 ICC Trophy. Bangladesh managed to beat Kenya in the final in Malaysia and qualify for the maiden World Cup appearance which was arguably the defining moment in the history of country's cricket.

But it came after great sacrifices and hard work as the former West Indies legend Gordon Greenidge who was the coach of the Bangladesh team back then also played a big role behind the success of the Tigers.

Bangladesh's current ODI captain Tamim Iqbal invited the three former captains Khaled Mashud, Akram Khan, and Minhajul Abedin Nannu in his ongoing social media interaction on Tuesday as they revisited their memory lanes.

Tamim wanted to know about the preparations ahead of the 1997 ICC Trophy campaign where Masud spoke of the tough training camps under Greenidge. According to Masud that training camp helped the cricketers to become physically and mentally fit and was immensely important to their success.

"We had a great training camp at BKSP ahead of the 1997 ICC Trophy. I think Greenidge taught us how to become a good player during that training camp. It was like an army training where we used to wake up at 5 in the morning and had fitness sessions till 7 am where we used to run and run. Akram and Nannu bhai must remember how he used to give us such squat training exercises that hurt a lot. Then after a break from 7 to 9 we returned for the net session from 9 to 12. After that we used to have a break and again returned from 3.30 for the fielding session.  He [Greenridge] used to utilise the entire daylight hours," Masud said.

According to the former wicket-keeper batsman, the training camp in BKSP was like a jail and described the tough conditions which they faced during that time.

"We were staying in a kind of jail where we used to go to our home on Thursday night and again return to the jail on Friday night. It continued for days after days," he said.

Mashud who describes himself naughty however also informed that he had learned a lot from Akram and Nannu both on and off the field.

"There was a room for Akram, Nannu, Bulbul, and Enamul Haque Moni bhai in the camp. I was a bit naughty that time which I am still now. As it's a public discussion I can only say that we had a great time together where I have learned a lot from them which helped me in the cricket field," Masud said.