Jubilant cricket lovers brought out victory processions and motorcycle rallies all over the country after Bangladesh cricketers snatched a sensational win against a strong England in the Group B match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong on Friday.
The capital Dhaka witnessed wild celebrations with thousands of people coming down to the streets after Shafiul Islam and Mahmudullah Riad put up a 58-run partnership to steer the Tigers to their second one-day victory in 15 outings. The win keeps co-host Bangladesh’s hopes alive for a quarter-final berth in the World Cup.
The victory for the Tigers came in style as the match swung till the end, when Bangladesh batsman Mahmudullah sealed the match despatched a Bresnan delivery through the cover to the fence to give the Tigers a two-wicket win.
President Zillur Rahman, prime minister Sheikh Hasina and opposition leader Khaleda Zia promptly greeted the National cricket team.
The president expressed his happiness at the outstanding performance of the Tigers. He also thanked the Bangladesh cricket team’s captain, coach and management and wished their continued success in the Cricket World Cup.
Sheikh Hasina also expressed her happiness at the superb performance of the Tigers in the match that kept co-host Bangladesh’s hopes alive for a quarter-final berth in the mega event. Hasina also thanked Bangladesh cricket team captain, coach and management and wished their continued success in the tournament.
BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia in a message also thanked the team, their coach and officials. Khaleda wished success of the Bangladesh team in the remaining matches.
With six balls remaining, Mahmudullah’s winning stroke sent Bangladesh players from the sidelines running to him and fans in the stands jumped in joy while people outside burst into wild jubilation.
Breaking the calm of night, youths on motorcycles carrying the national flag brought out processions with drums, beagles and vuvuzelas, roaring ‘Bangladesh, Bangladesh. They blasted crackers and danced in the streets as the celebrations continued past midnight.
As soon as the match ended, thousands of cricket fans turned the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium area into a carnival.
In the Capital’s Dhanmondi, TSC, Wari, Gopibag and in Old Dhaka, people blasted crackers and displayed a spectacular firework after the match.
Almost all roads in Dhaka and Chittagong were occupied by cricket lovers and in many places they celebrated the victory by fireworks, motorcycle rallies, victory processions and distributing sweets.
The Dhaka University campus turned into a sea of crowds as many processions brought from surrounding areas converged there.
Cricket lovers also brought out processions at Mirpur, Moghbazar, Sonargaon, Goran, Rampura, Uttara, Gulshan and many other places.
Earlier, when the Tigers were struggling with eight wickets down for 169 runs, a section of people burnt festoons and placards at Dhaka University’s Teachers Students Centre and left the venue where a giant screen was showing the match live.
Courtesy of New Age
