Bangladesh Won

20 October 2010

Victorious Bangladesh cricketers bowled over by gifts

The prime minister gave each player a car
and a plot in the capital Dhaka

First came Sunday's landmark one-day series victory over New Zealand; now it's raining gifts for Bangladesh's cricketers.

The team's first clean sweep (4-0) over a major cricketing nation has seen them showered with accolades and presents.

Such adulation is a pleasant change for the Bangladeshis, normally viewed as international cricket's whipping boys.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has gifted a housing plot in Dhaka and a car to every player in the 20-member team.

Knocked for six

The Bangladesh Cricket Board has announced more incentives for the triumphant team.

"Each player will get around $5,000 (£3,180) from the board. This is for winning the one-day series against New Zealand," board spokesman Jalal Yunus told the BBC.

He said a private bank gave 100,000 takas ($1400; £890) to each member of the team.

A private company gave the same amount to the players.

"The government has also agreed to set up a sports welfare trust to help the players after their careers or during times of injury," Mr Yunus said.

"Sports personalities from other disciplines will also benefit from this trust."

Other private firms have promised to give presents to the Bangladeshi players.

Bangladesh's cricket team were also showered gifts when they beat Kenya to win the ICC trophy in 1997.