On a recent trip to Bangladesh a couple of incidents occurred that to me epitomise what development is all about. I was in Dhaka to attend the Asia Under 17 Cup, and event organised jointly by the Asian Cricket Council, the International Cricket Council and the Bangladesh Cricket Board. The ACC had invited ten different countries to take part, including four Test playing countries, four Associate Countries and two Affiliates. The development value for these smaller countries in being given the opportunity to mix with players from the cricketing giants of Asia can't be overstated. Nepal almost defeated Pakistan in the first round while Oman, after a demoralising first game score of only 30, learnt from the experience so well that in the second game they totalled 230 against United Arab Emirates.
Development is about creating opportunity.
Shastri was so impressed with the boy that he spent extra time talking to him. Later that day I overheard Shastri talking to officials from the Bangladesh Cricket Board. He had found out the boy came from a very poor family and he was imploring the BCB officials to arrange some sort of scholarship for him. It was great to see a star from the past so passionate about putting something back in the game. That is what development is all about.