Days like yesterday, when Bangladesh beat Sri Lanka to reach the Asia Cup final for the first time in history, transcends the limitations of sport. To understand the importance of such an achievement, one not only needs to appreciate the travails of the Bangladesh cricket fan, but also the peculiarities of life in Bangladesh.
People queue up on the streets in the heat hours before the match is due to start, they jostle for position in the stands where seat numbers usually mean as much as the traffic lights did when they were wrestling the congested streets on the way to the ground, and then they pray for a Bangladesh victory — a prayer that often went unanswered in the past.
“We are overjoyed at the result,” said Tushar, a university student who had come to watch the match yesterday at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium. “We always believed Bangladesh could win, always. Yes, when Shakib [Al Hasan] was out, I had my doubts. But what a win!”
The atmosphere in Mirpur when Bangladesh are doing well is always special, but yesterday was more so. The loudspeakers were blaring inspirational Bangla songs. When Kazi Nazrul Islam’s blood-stirring “Karar oi louho kopat” came on, it drew a choral reply from the thousands in attendance. When they were not singing many in the audience were seen praying as Mahmudullah Riyad and Nasir Hossain were taking the Tigers to an eventuality that seemed impossible less than two weeks ago.
Badrul, a police officer, was also among the fans revelling in joy that knows no boundary and recognises no uniform. “I come to watch matches sometimes. These days are few and far between. Since I am in uniform I can’t really show my joy. I feel like jumping around like everyone else when they win,” said the police officer, barely able to contain his joy.
As Nasir’s straight drive found the boundary rope to signal a famous win, ‘Joy Bangla’ came on the loudspeakers, as if reading the hearts of everyone present. The prayers might have gone unanswered before, but this week, in which the Tigers have beaten the current world champions and World Cup runners-up, has been compensation enough. The week may get better yet.
-With The Daily Star input
