Dubai International Cricket Stadium was a kaleidoscope of red and green as hundreds of Bangladeshi expatriates poured into the stadium to cheer for their nation on Saturday (Sept 15).
Tigers did not disappoint fans as they flattened Sri Lanka in the opening match of 2018 Asia Cup at Dubai.
Bangladeshi fans cheered themselves hoarse under the scorching sun as Mushfiqur’s spectacular performance secured Bangladesh’s win during the opener.
The Asia Cup is not the first time the cricket team of Bangladesh played in the United Arab Emirates.
Back in 1990s they played the Australasia Cup and the Asia Cup in 1995 at Sharjah, a neighbouring city in Dubai.
Both times the Bangladeshi team was completely whitewashed by their opponents.
However, the Tigers have turned the tables this time. They accomplished what the likes of Ataur Rahman and Akram Khan could not.
Although Mushfiqur’s solo performance was the leverage Bangladesh needed for the win, the contributions of Tamim and Mithun were no less.
The Mushfiqur-Mithun duo scored a whopping 131 runs, while Tamim’s performance in the pitch despite his injuries left the Lankans nothing short of flustered.
Sri Lanka could not recover from the loss of four top batsmen during the first 10 overs and their aggressive batting during the end of the action packed match did nothing to hinder the Tigers’ victory.
Bangladeshi fans left the stadium in ecstatic moods but Tamim’s injury and absence in the upcoming matches put a damper on their celebrations.